My second artefact is my trophy that I won for the “Most Improved” snowboarder, which I received from a ski/snowboard school. I first tried out snowboarding about five years ago. For at least the first three times that I went, I couldn’t even stand up on the thick board. I later discovered that I was doing it wrong and that I was putting my wrong foot forward. After I switched it around, it all came easily. But I think that what was important was that I didn’t give up after the first, second, or third tries. I kept on at it and eventually got it right, of course, once I finally figured out how to get up, I fell over again and bruised my tail bone but that didn’t stop me either. They year I received the important reward of “Most Improved” because I didn’t give up and I knew that I would eventually get it. The award signifies my perseverance and I haven’t missed a season of snowboarding ever since I started.
Three transferable skills that I think I have acquired from snowboarding are: organizational, problem-solving, and team work. Although it may appear to you that I have no or at least very little organizational skills, I believe that I do (at least when I want to.) When you go snowboarding, there is a lot of items and equipment that you have to keep track of. As well, if you go snowboarding on a schedule, as I do, every Sunday, then you learn to organize yourself so that you are prepared to go boarding on that day. I believe if I put a little work into this skill, that I can transfer it into the workplace. Organization can apply to the workplace because it will help one keep a neat workplace, take care or equipment and tools, keep track of important details, handle interruptions well, and organize activities to meet deadlines. Organization is key when you enter the workforce. Another transferable skill that I believe I have built by snowboarding is my teamwork skill. I know the dangers or snowboarding alone and that is why when I am up on the mountains I always have a friend to snowboard with. It helps guarantee my safety. Because my friends and I aren’t the same people we all want to go to different parts of the hill. This is where my teamwork skills come in. We all discuss where we want to go, compromise, and try to get a little bit of everything on the hill into our runs. We try and all make each other happy. I really believe that when you participate in sports and activities like snowboarding it strengthens the friendships and bonds that you have with your friends. Finally, problem-solving is the final transferable skill that I believe I have gained from snowboarding. When you are up on the mountains, you can run into numerous problems such as getting injured, loosing your buddy, deciding where to go, which turn to make, or whether or not to try new tricks. The most important things that you can do when you are in situations like these is analyse information, understand the problem, and solve the problem. I have run into countless problems up on the hills and I think that these problems are an important part of the fun of snowboarding. When I go into the workplace, having problem-solving skills can be beneficial because I will think analytically and clearly about issues, pinpoint problems, evaluate situations, identify risks, make informed decisions, and find productive solutions. The reason why I chose to put snowboarding as my second, last item to discuss is because I feel like it encompasses everything that I love. There is always music on the hills, I am with friends, and I learn by making quick decisions while zooming down this hills.
The guitar is significant to me because it is my expression of myself through music. Everyday that I pick up my guitar and practice I get better and not only I, but all those who hear me play always notice a difference from the last time that they heard me. I have been involved in music ever since I was three and I feel that it represents a big part of me because I have grown up with it. I believe that playing an instrument can be a very good think when you grow up. It is something social and as well it can always make you feel good and relaxed; it is perfect for stress-relieving. I am surrounded by music and no matter where I am, or at what time, I can always just pick up my guitar and play to calm me down and make me happy. When you play an instrument, the knowledge that you gain from it can never hurt you, it can only help. I always hope to play the guitar and I can only look forward to becoming really good at it, to the point where I can use my talent and skills to make a living. Music is one of my only hobbies that I enjoy learning, practicing, and teaching myself and others.
When I received the award of “Most Improved Snowboarder” it felt like a real accomplishment and I was very proud of myself. The award just pushed me to work harder and try even more. The award really shows my dedication, hard work, and perseverance for something that I love. Snowboarding not only helps me keep physically fit, but it also helps me develop my mental skills. When one snowboards, everything happens really fast, which in turn keeps your mind thinking fast, keeping your mind active. Snowboarding is always something that I can do with any friend or relative. If they are not experienced I can always teach them and if they know what they are doing that is even better. Spending a whole day snowboarding on a cold mountain can really bring people closer together. This could especially be useful if I needed to get to know a business associate or if I took my boss out to build a stronger relationship with him/her. I would love to get good enough to compete professionally in snowboarding. The more I snowboard the better I get at the sport and the more active I am, both physically and mentally. Knowing how to do something like snowboarding can only have a positive impact on your life, unless you are injured but that would never happen to me ☺.
In conclusion, I feel as if I have learned a lot from this assignment. I learned that all of the little hobbies and things that make me “me,” will stick with me all throughout my life no matter where I go or what I do. The more I try and build on skills now, the better off I am in the future. Learning about transferable skills has truly taught me life’s little lessons.
