TKS Session 11: Modified Session
For this TKS session, in light of the showcase coming up on December 13th, we did a modified session where we went over a TKS MotW, TKSkill, and then moved straight into project work. We started with a group activity where we discussed some prompts that work to reflect and conclude on the year. We looked over what we were most proud of this year, what we were working on this year, how we levelled up this year, and more prompts like that. We then moved straight into the MotW.
This week’s MotW is compounding, which is a mindset that we look into at TKS a lot and that a lot of the program is based on. The idea of compounding is that you actively seek out different habits or actions that you integrate into your everyday life in order to build and maintain growth over a long period of time. An example of a compounding action is working out consistently. If you work out consistently, then you are going to see better health outcomes for your body and for yourself. If you practice a skill little by little every day, or limit the amount of unhealthy foods you eat on the regular, then you are going to see positive benefits build up over time, like being an expert at a skill or being more in control of your health and diet. Compounding is a challenging mindset, especially now more than ever, since we live in a world that is guided by instant gratification or short-term success. Compounding is more beneficial in the long run because it allows you to build healthy habits and learn new skills. But short-term wins and instant gratification replace real and meaningful work and development with quick and surface-level satisfaction, like having a sweet every day after school or choosing to skip a workout to watch TV. Even skipping your work or study time to scroll is an example of instant gratification over compounding.
We each reflected on times when we prioritized compounding over short-term gratification. For me, I prioritized a journaling habit that I’ve kept up for over years on an app in my phone. Every night before bed, I will make sure to write at least 3 sentences just talking about what happened in my day and what bothered me/made me happy. It helps me to relfect causally on what worked and didn’t work for me so I can try to improve the next day. I found that journaling consistently helped me rationalize my experiences and process things that got on my nerves or made me feel extra stressed. I’ve kept up this habit for a long time, and I feel like it has compounded as I’ve continued to do it.
For our TKSkill, we reviewed how to present ourselves and our work to new people, especially through memo form, since this is the main way that people who attend the showcase will get to know us and learn about our work. We reviewed some memos from the past TKS showcase and which ones were good/why. Something I took away from looking at these memos was that a lot of them focused on the personal drive of their projects and past works. They focused on the “why” for what they do, and highlighted why the work they are doing is important to dedicate time and effort to. Emphasizing the meaning behind your work and highlighting your journey through the other projects you’ve done is a great way to help people understand why you do what you do and where your expertise lies.
To wrap up the session, we spent the rest of the time (about 1hr 30mins) on project work and focus time. We had the option to either make direct focus progress or develop our memos for the showcase. During that time, I finished my part of the memo on ClotGuard for the showcase, and then moved on to some focus work for ClotGuard. It was a really productive period where I was able to get a lot done.
And that was the session today. Not a lot of content, but there was a big emphasis on making progress in our work and getting stuff done during this period today, which I felt like I succeeded at. I’m really excited for the showcase and to have the opportunity to present ClotGuard to some amazing people!
