[Absent Minded Professor]

I want to be process oriented and do the right thing but I'm a procrastinator and I stayed up all night studying for an exam and I think I actually learned the material pretty well relative to my history of taking other economics exams. I just finished a test in Money and Banking (part of Economics for those not familiar) and I had to fill in half the bubbles in the last five minutes of the test! Besides poor study habits, I did not use proper test taking strategy as I spent 50% of my time on a set of four questions (out of 48) and by the time the proctor told us we had 5 minutes, I've only had half of the test done. I do not feel good at all about it. I feel bad because of the result. I will feel even worse if (when) I truly did receive less than a passing grade.

I have (probably had) a decent grade point average 3.25 before this semester and I might be throwing it away... I am doing poorly across the board this year and I don't know if/how I can turn it around. Last week I even turned an assignment in late. I'm an adult student and I'm one semester (after this) away from graduation. Going back to school is the best opportunity I have in my life and I am extremely upset with myself for how I am treating this opportunity.

Can I somehow change to focus on the process? How have you become process oriented?

 

[Annihilatron]

I'm a results oriented person - in that i must get things done by a date with an acceptable standard, with less care about the 'correct' or 'official' process. On a resume this is "objective oriented". Someone who's process oriented would be someone who follows procedure and looks for ways to make it more efficient (rather than just going and doing stuff).

I don't think your your problem is your focus on being process or result oriented. I think its just that as adult students we're all fricking lazy as hell. Not to mention if you're coming 'back' to school after being away from it you just won't have the same 'touch' for studying and testing.

eh, its not a big deal unless you want to hit grad school. not like companies look at your marks.

 

[Absent Minded Professor]

By this definition:

Someone who's process oriented would be someone who follows procedure and looks for ways to make it more efficient (rather than just going and doing stuff).

I'm overly process oriented at times and less results oriented.

I think its just that as adult students we're all fricking lazy as hell.

Yes, yes, I am lazy. I have 'been back' too long to use 'been away for so long' as an excuse. Laziness has been my problem and that is unacceptable to me, to my instructors, and to my future employers. I don't think laziness was on any ones keys to success list. I think a bit of poor attitude/unjustified confidence could be added to laziness.

want to hit grad school

I definitely wanted to keep that option open...

Very intuitive of you Annihilatron, thanks for the comment http://personalitycafe.com/members/annihilatron.html

 

[MaggieRooWho]

I am very results-oriented... this may be a little better explained by my Enneatype, though (3w4, 1w2, 6w5), as opposed to my MB. Have you looked into furthering your understanding via Enneagram stuff?

I get the feeling that in order to be more process-oriented, you would have to nurture your Se more. I don't have a lot of great advice on how to do this, though. Wish I could be a little more helpful to you.

 

[Vaka]

By nature, I'm more process oriented than anything. I think I tend to feel a lot of pressure to make myself more 'results oriented' for certain things since that is sometimes more effective, though.

 

[heyday]

you have to get involved in the process to become process-oriented. ie have a plan, organize and execute.

engaging my se has helped me in the past. a comfortable chair, mellow music, and good coffee can do wonders for a study session, imho.

 

[Hokahey]

Depends on my mood and the task at hand.

 

[Annihilatron]

I find I do much better at any task when I'm paid to do it. Because it feels like I'm getting something out of it (Yes, I feel like I get nothing out of school. Which is pretty much completely true...sadly. That's right, I feel like I'm getting nothing useful out of one of the most prestigious programs and Universities in North America)

So how I intend to pass is to work at it like I'm working at a job. And complain like hell about how I'm not being paid (enough) and have to work stupid hours.

 

[Absent Minded Professor]

Update to OP: I didn't do as bad as what I thought. I managed to get a 69% which isn't good but considering the circumstances I addressed earlier, I think I'll manage to get a high C to low B in the course...

Have you looked into furthering your understanding via Enneagram stuff?

I am going to take an online Enneagram test when I have some extra time. The professor who administered my Myers-Briggs suggested for me to do that as well on my own if I want to know a little more.

I do much better at any task when I'm paid to do it.

That is the beginning of an economic thought. The pay needs to have a strong correlation to desired outcome though. I can cite a few examples in my past to explain what I'm talking about:
1. I was a telemarketing representative selling long distance plans. (Cell phones weren't as popular so some people needed a good long distance plan.) No one likes this job but I needed a job and I also liked the idea of getting better at talking to people... Anyways, it had a base pay that got me to show up to work. The reason why I sold so much crap to people was the commissions.
2. I worked as a landscape laborer for $10/hour. No matter how hard I worked (and this can be a physically demanding job), I received the same pay. I never broke my back for that company. I just showed up and put my hours in.
3. University - I always saw the intrinsic value of education. I personally feel that I learn more valuable information on my own but at times I need a guide. As far as my perception of value and the markets perception of value, we come to a fork in the road and that is where the university comes in. I agree with annihilatron to a certain extent about the compensation not feeling right at times. However, we receive grades which is a type of immediate compensation. In a longer time frame, we receive a degree which is a piece of paper that basically says that the individual is somewhat knowledgeable in a basic area and the individual is willing to sacrifice an immediate payoff for a better tomorrow. It doesn't guarantee job placement or significant knowledge but it does say something about the individual. I do see the value of an education. Do I think it is the best measure of knowledge? Obviously, no. The higher education institution is designed to help society more than the individual. If you want to learn, you need to do that on your own. The same applies for experience, etc.

 

[Absent Minded Professor]

I just took the quiz online and here are my results:

Your core type (your strongest type) is Type 6 with a 5 wing: Type Six individuals are reliable, committed, and security-oriented. They are natural troubleshooters, and are always aware of potential problems. This makes the Type Six anxious, but the anxiety fuels them to resolve their problems. They can range from loyal to rebellious, depending on where they get their security from – if the security is from within, they can be very defiant… if it comes from others, they can be very cooperative and devoted. When a Type Six is in a growth state, they become calm like a Type Nine. When they are stressed, they can become arrogant like an unhealthy Type Three. You are a Type Six with a Five wing, which means that the committed nature of the Six combines with the cerebral nature of the Type Five. As a result, you often excel at concrete thinking and troubleshooting.

Your second type (your next strongest type) is Type 1 with a 9 wing: Type One individuals have a very finely tuned sense of right and wrong, and they chart the course of their lives by following a righteous path. This doesn’t have to be religious… it can be any set of principles that the Type One finds ethical. Ones are perfectionists, often setting high standards for themselves and others. Type One may very well be the most noble type in the Enneagram. When a Type Two is in a state of growth, they become excited and joyous like a Seven. When a Type Two is stressed, they become emotional and overwhelmed like an unhealthy Type 4. You are a Type One with a Nine wing, which means that the righteous traits of a Type One combine with the peaceful nature of the Type Nine to create a very idealistic personality.

Your third type (the least-used of the three) is Type 3 with a 2 wing: Type Three individuals are self-assured, confident, and driven for success. Type Threes have a great deal of energy that propels them to excel at their chosen field, and this is why the type is often called The Achiever. Although Threes may not always like it, they’re often looked up to. Type Threes, more than any other type, are the most likely to be a workaholic. When in a state of growth, Threes become more cooperative and trusting of others, like a Type Six. When stressed, Threes become withdrawn like a Type Nine. You are a Type Three with a Two wing, which means that your driven nature combines with a desire to help people. You often come off as charming and outgoing as a result.

Some words that describe you: principled, moralistic, perfectionist, self-critical, ambitious, driven, adaptable, energetic, loyal, reliable, anxious, skeptical.

The people on the thread seem to find some flaws but overall I think it's fairly accurate. Now what?

 

[Annihilatron]

One of them will fit you much better than the other - if it helps you figure out what drives you, try to figure out how to apply the thing that drives you to the thing you're trying to do.

unfortunately for some it simply doesn't apply. I'm a type 2 and if I tried to apply my type-2 personality strengths and drives I'd TOTALLY fail out of school.

about university having a payoff: I don't see it. In theory, its there, but in real life, its iffy; only helps with promotions at best. There are jobs where the degree is a big plus, but I find them few and far between.

 

[Princess Rena]

perhaps, you need a break or you're not connecting well with the professor.....have you talk to the professor as far as what he deems to be "important" in the chapter?

 

[The Exception]

I'm both. I'm process oriented in the sense that I care about how something is done and don't always think the end justifies the means. If you're constantly working towards the destination and not enjoying the journey along the way, that feels kind of empty.

On the other hand, I'm results oriented in the sense that I want something to show for my efforts. It could be a tangible finished product, or knowing that I made a positive different to others or accomplished an important goal of mine. I don't want to be a mindless drifter, never finishing anything.

So I find that for myself, both are necessary for personal fulfillment.

 

[unico]

I'm more results-oriented and feel better after I complete a project, but often I zone out during the process and feel calm and happy, if I know what I'm doing.