Olina Qian

Oh, I am so excited! I am so excited! I am so excited now! Why? Let me tell you why! Because another Dale Carnegie class is right around the corner! And I am going back to be the coach again! Oh, I can’t wait to live with Dale Carnegie Spirit for another 12 exciting weeks!

Last night was the class orientation, Jewel told us to dress formally. So I rushed home after work, searched my wardrobe to find something really formal. The only thing I found was a suit I had 10 years ago! Oh, yes, 10 years ago, I used to wear it everyday when I studied Hotel Management in Switzerland. After I came to USA, I dressed casual everyday, so there is no much chance for me to buy formal clothes. So I decided to put it on. I can still put myself in, but it is very tight.

At beginning, Jewel told us a little story, it was about Sharpen Axe: There is a guy who works hard on cutting trees everyday. His boss likes him very much. But later the boss find out that guy keeps working hard, but his productivity become low. The guy realize it himself too, so he works even harder, while the productivity continues drops.

So one day, his boss asks him, hey, what’s happening? The guy say, I don’t know! His boss say, ok, let me check your axe. The he surprise to find out it is the dullest axe he has ever seen! So the bossed asked: Why don’t your sharpen it? The guy say: Oh, I don’t have time to sharpen my axe!

Jewel said, the reason I told this story at beginning of the course is because we all need to sharpen our axe. And Dale Carnegie Training is a perfect place to take a break, look inside, make your heart soften and recharge yourself. I strongly agree.

As to his teaching ability. Jewel said, this is going to be the 56 class he will teach in his life. Yes, Jewel is so experienced! And what I admire him most is he will only sees good part of everyone, while normal people do it oppositely! I just suggested him to set a Fan page in facebook, so all his student can become his fan.

He also explained why he likes to teach? He said: Because I want to retake the course again! During this 12 weeks, I am going to retake the course with you and do every homework with you, to sharpen my axe. This is exactly why I want to be coach again! I like to retake the course and live with this uplifting spirit, in the mean time, sharpen my axe too!

During the class, Jewel encouraged us to talk to everyone and found out who we like to coach. I walked around, talked to some of them, eye contacted with another and have some names in my mind.

It was amazing that after session, a lady came over and asked me: can you be my coach. I smiled and said sure! Since she was right in my list. Is it called mutual attraction? Maybe yes!

As usual, Jewel gave us an inspiration closing in the end. It was about changing world:

When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.

I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation.

When I found I couldn’t change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn’t change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.

Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself.

And suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family.

My family and I could have made an impact on our town.

Their impact could have changed the nation

And I could indeed have changed the world.

I like this story very much, it is so true that in order to change the world, you should change yourself first! By changing our own attitude, we change the environment around us, then impact the world!

So let change myself first, one class at a time. Maybe starting from lose some weight? Since the suit was so tight on me tonight, even made me little stomachache. Maybe my ROI this time should be — By the time of graduation, the suite fits me better!