Using Sky Drive & Google Drive

I have had great experiences using both Sky Drive and Google Drive.  I love the fact that we can save documents on both of them and then we can pull them up on a different computer.  We do not have to use a thumb drive to save our work on to transfer from one computer to another.

Before this current semester, I have used Sky Drive.  I would work on assignments at school and I would save them on Sky Drive.  Then when I got home, I could pull it up off of Sky Drive and I could continue working right where I left off.  I have also used it to create a document and then print it off at another computer location.  This semester I was introduced to Google Drive.  As far as I can see, it is used the same way.  The only thing I have created on Google Drive was a survey.

I plan on utilizing these two features more in the future.  It is a lot easier to save it on either Sky Drive or Google Drive and then pull it up at another location.  Doing it this way, you do not have to mess with a thumb drive.  Another plus is that you do not have to worry about losing your work if your thumb drive gets lost.

Written Communication

This chapter has helped me recognize that I can strengthen my written communication in the following ways:

• I will write more effective and make sure to include plenty of details in my sentences.
• I will not use wordy expressions as much and try to keep the sentences concise.
• When I am righting a letter, I will determine what the goal of it is and make sure the format matches the goal.
• I will start to use more positive expressions and try to use less negative expressions.
• I also realize that I need to gather and organize the appropriate information.
• Once I have a finished copy of the letter, I need to make sure I set it down and come back to later to proofread it.
• When writing a letter, I need to determine if I need to be direct, indirect, or persuasive to be the most effective.

A Poor Customer Service Experience

As an external customer, I have had such poor customer service with Sears lately.  I recently had a window broken by a flying object, while I was mowing the lawn.  When I purchased the new windows about 4 years ago, I was told there was a full lifetime warranty.  I have called the warranty number multiple times, over a two week period, leaving messages with my information for them to call me back.  Finally, I was able to get through to a customer service representative and was informed that the  warranty was only good for materials and not labor.  They are now telling me that I need to pay $100 for labor, just for them to come out here; not including how long it takes them to replace the window.  Then the customer service representative informs me that it might not actually be covered because it shattered and that the warranty covers cracked or damaged windows.    I am very disappointed with Sears.  They sold me the windows with a lifetime guarantee and now they do not want to honor it.  I guess Sears's warranty is only good for when they want to honor it.

A few suggestions for Sears to handle this situation better is:

1. They should be loyal to their customers.  Happy customers always return.
2. They should honor their lifetime warranty.
3. They could have returned my multiple messages that I left over a two week period.
4. They could be willing to do a one time discount for this repair.
5. They should update their warranty information to be more accurate to their actions.

This is not the first problem I have had with Sears.  I always give companies multiple chances because I understand that not everyone is perfect.  But this is probably one of the last times I will use Sears to buy products that might need to be replaced during their warranty period.

Future Leader

This chapter has made me think about my future role as a leader in the following ways.

I have never really considered myself to be a leader.  I don't like to be in charge of tasks or people.  I like to be given directions and just do my work.  I am not a big risk taker; I like to play it safe.  The older I get, the more of a leader I become.  In college, I am now finding myself taking charge of group projects and activities.  In the future I am going to use the following advice:

• Always plan well and accordingly.
• Before the first group meeting, I will try to develop strategies that will help accomplish the goals of our group tasks.
• I will set a good example for my fellow employees.  If I lead by example, it will motivate them to follow in my footsteps and become a better employee and group member.

One idea that I have never considered was to invest in people.  This is important because you need to create relationships with your co-workers.  If you are loyal to your co-workers and employees, they will be loyal to you in return.

Ethical Situation

In one of my previous jobs, I found myself in an uncomfortable situation.  Because I was so young, I was not quite sure how to handle the situation.  The manager above me was married, which I hold to be sacred.  About once a week, a gentleman would come in and disrupt her work.  He would come in and flirt with her or take her to lunch or go into the break room together.  I didn't ask to many questions but was told that they were "just friends".  If her husband were to call and she was gone or busy with this gentleman, I was told to tell her husband that she was not available and was in a meeting.  Whether she was having an affair or not, it was none of my business.  I was just concerned that she was being paid to be there working and she would often be too busy doing personal things.  I even saw, on multiple occasions, that she would be in chat rooms and dating websites during working hours.  I never brought it up to the boss above her because I was afraid of retaliation.    Overall, I loved working for this company; I just wish I would have had a better manager to look up to.

My Current Stressors

Currently in my life, I am very stressed.  Whether it is with school or family, I cannot seem to catch a break. The four top stressors in my life are as follows:

1. Financial Matters
2. Family Problems
3. Lack of Time
4. Relationships

     One of the biggest stressors in my life right now is money, or lack there of.  I am trying to go to school to better myself and finish all three of the AS degrees I have been working towards.  I am putting myself through college and not relying on anyone for help financially.  Hopefully this will only be a short term stressor because I need some extra income and I have applied for a couple more part time seasonal (holiday) jobs.

     Another big stressor in my life is family problems.  My parents are going through a divorce.  Divorce should not effect the children, but it always does.  I am thankful that this is happening now and not when I was younger.  To help me deal with the stress that this has placed upon me, I like to stay out of the conversations that are taking place.  I would consider this to be a chronic stress because  even when the divorce is finalized, there will always be problems between the two parties involved.

     Currently, a huge stressor in my life is lack of time.  I'd like to think that I am pretty well at organizing and maintaining my time, but I always try to squeeze in more things that I don't have time for.  This is definitely chronic stress in my life because this is a regular, occurring thing.  Recently, I have replaced some optional activities with required activities and that seems to be helping.  The remaining optional activities aren't happening very often but they are a great way for me to relieve stress.

    The last of the top four stressors in my life is my relationship with my Fiance.  I get stressed out because he is now back in Massachusetts and we are having to do the long distance relationship.  I am hoping this is a short-term stress because that would mean the long distance relationship would be over soon.  But I know this will be an issue for at least the remainder of this semester and next semester, unless his job transfers him to California.  I need to finish my three AS degrees before I think about joining him out there.

Goals

There are four goals that I am working towards, two short term and two long term.  The two short term goals are:

1. I will give my puppy a bath by September 27th by allowing myself extra time in the morning.
2. I will graduate from Modesto Junior College with 3 AS degrees by Spring 2014 by completing four more classes.

The two long term goals are:

1. I will buy a new car by the summer of 2018 by saving $50 a month until I have at least $4,000 for the down payment.
2. I will get married in September of 2015 by saving $100 a month to go towards the wedding expenses.