Motivating Advice from a Reflective View
January 10, 2023
By Jaimie Hutchison, Director, WorkLife Office
In order to move forward, sometimes it is helpful to look back. Take a moment to reflect. What has allowed you to be successful in the past? What advice has guided you through your personal and professional life? As I think back through my life, I can identify key moments and conversations with my family and mentors that have defined my foundational values. These values guide me to this day.
We can build community by sharing more about ourselves and connecting with each other. Motivating advice was requested from Spartans in order to share with all MSU employees.
- What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?
- Who gave you that advice?
- How did/do you use that advice?
“My late grandfather Robert Warner, a World War II Prisoner of War survivor, told me “The best thing you can do in your life is to spread vitamin L, Love. Love is what makes life worth living and can be what helps you through the darkest times.” I think about this every day. How can I spread love today? I can be kind to a stranger. I can tell my people that I love them. I can volunteer to make my community stronger. I can lead with empathy, knowing that everyone is carrying around things they don’t talk about. This advice guides me every single day. My grandfather lived until the age of 91 and his advice lives on through me and many others.”
Jaimie Hutchison, Director, WorkLife Office
“The best advice I ever got was from my mother who said ‘no one looks at your shoes’. She was helping me become less concerned about myself and more concerned about the world around me. My mom is my hero and gives me good advice every day. I learn from her and know that my journey is a reflection of her sense of purpose, selflessness and mission to lead a life in service to others.”
Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D.
Interim President
MSU Foundation Professor
“Growing up in France and living in the US for the past sixteen years I have often reflected on my identity my inability to fully embody one attribute of the cultures and traditions I carry.
In 2008, Josefina, who I refer to as ma mère de Coeur, my chosen mother, shared Ortega’s (1914) quote “Yo soy yo, y mis circunstancias.” She helped me realize that all the aspects of my life make my reality, and that I am a result of all the events that shaped me in the present person. Knowingly or unknowingly, Josefina provided me with the tool I have been using since then to define who I am and how I am being reshaped by my experiences. I understood that my intersectionality, positionality, and cultural backgrounds modeled me in who I am and guided my academic and professional journeys.”
Anjam Chaudhary, PhD
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator International Studies and Programs Dean’s Office
“When I was a graduate student working in the Student Conduct office, my supervisor Rick Shafer would often tell me to “slow my roll.” It was very easy for me to get passionate about a particular issue and end up jumping to conclusions or making assumptions about the situation at hand. Rick was helpfully reminding me to take a breath and examine those assumptions, gather more information, consider alternative points of view. It is so important to remember that my perspective is always limited. I now often tell myself to slow my roll, especially when I am in a position of leadership or have the ability to influence an outcome that directly impacts other people. I have biases and limitations, and if I don’t slow down, those are the things that end up driving my decision making process. Slowing down has helped me be more calm, conscientious, and equitable in my role.”
Megumi Moore, PhD
Director of Graduate Student Life and Wellness
“My mother is a compassionate connector who respects and cherishes relationships. She has always affirmed that relationships are important and everyone has valuable strengths and skills to contribute. She taught me at a very young age that most times people are trying their best, so grace and gratitude goes a long way. Don’t sweat the small stuff. It really will be OK.”
Ashley Green, PhD
Assistant Dean for Administration
Director for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
“The picture attached is of my Grandfather Rowland Christopher Nettey. He was a pharmacist and became the head of the pharmaceutical board of Ghana. He was also in the choir in the Angelican Church (dressed here in his choir robes). He used to say there is no such thing as can’t. This is phrase that has continued through the generations of our family and really means everything is possible. He inspired me to become a pharmacist, which was my entry into community health and public health more broadly.”
Alexis Travis, PhD
Assistant Provost & Executive Director
University Health & Wellbeing
“The best piece of advice I ever got was not through words, but through demonstrated actions. My wife has demonstrated to me, consistently over the past 10 years, what it means to be selfless and to serve and focus on others. She lives her life in a way that first and foremost demonstrates care and thoughtfulness. In addition to doing this as a wife and mother, she does this through her career as an RYT-500 yoga instructor where she helps to improve the health and wellbeing of her students.
Her actions (more so than any of her words or advice), have had a profound impact on the person I am striving to become – someone who strives to put the needs of others first, with her as my model.”
Mark F. Patishnock, Ph.D.
Director
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)
“The greatest purpose in life is to give service to others!
My Father!
It directs just about everything I do!
My father was a Captain in the 96th Infantry and fought in WWII at the battle of Okinawa/Hacksaw Ridge and was wounded. He survived and came home and raised 5 kids with my mother and is my hero. He died in 2018 at the age of 98!”
Dennis Martell, PhD
Director, Health Promotion
Executive Director, National Social Norms Center
“As a young professional, who at times struggled with confidence, my friend and former colleague Joy Platte reminded me that “They can’t take away your birthday.” Her words cut to the core of what we often forget when we are nervous or fearful to try something new, share our ideas, or ask for something we deserve or need- no matter what anyone thinks about you or if you do not initially succeed, you are still YOU and others perception of you takes nothing away from the unique intrinsic value you bring the world each day. I think about this now whenever I’m facing a new challenge or situation I’m nervous or fearful about, and it continues, all these years later, to give me confidence to stand up, speak out, and pursue new challenges both personally and professionally.”
Elizabeth Schrauben King, MPA
MSU Occupational Health
“The best advice I have received is from my mother. Throughout my career, the birth of my child, and recently, earning a Ph.D., there were many times when I was hyper-critical of my ability to succeed across multiple fronts. Too often I pushed myself to the point of burnout, and my mother would always tell me, “there is only one you.” Her intention was to offer a gentle reminder that I cannot be all things to all people, especially not to the detriment of my well-being. Burnout is common and normalized in academia, which makes it incredibly challenging to foreground self-care, boundaries, and balance. I think of my mom’s advice nearly every day and often share it with colleagues facing similar challenges who can also benefit from a word of affirmation and a kind reminder—there is only one you!”
Lauren Gaines McKenzie, PhD
Director | Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
College of Communication Arts and Sciences
“Along with many of my colleagues, I’ve had the pleasure of learning with and from Dionardo Pizaña, the legendary Diversity, Equity and Inclusion specialist for MSU Extension. I was in a DEI training that he facilitated, and one of his teachings in particular resonated with me: “be curious.” Be curious about everything, Dionardo said, even when you are afraid. Approach all situations with curiosity. Seek to understand and never stop asking questions. After many years with Extension, Dionardo will be taking a well-deserved retirement in December 2022. But his wise counsel and good work will continue to guide many of us in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, myself included. On the good days and on the hard days, I challenge myself to be curious.”
Kelly F. Millenbah, Ph.D.
Dean and Professor
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
“My grandmother, Helen Sheffield, who passed away at the age of 82, always pushed for our family members to continue their education. Helen did not graduate with her original high school class but went back to school to receive a GED later in life. Though her formal education did not extend beyond this, my grandmother was always educating herself and researching many areas in her life. She would educate herself around major financial decisions, legal matters, and much more for herself and our family. She was very intelligent and gave great advice and guidance to all of our family members. One of which, was to always continue educating ourselves. I remember before I graduated high school she was asking what my plans were and providing guidance around applying to college. When I was nearing my college graduation for my undergraduate degree, she was asking what I’d like to study within a graduate program and providing encouragement then. After I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree, I got married and had a family in a short period of time. She would always say, “I know you’re working and I know you have the family, but don’t forget about your Master’s degree”. Though my grandmother passed away two years ago, I take great pride in realizing that now, as I’m enrolled into a Master’s degree program that I’m putting my grandma’s advice into action and following through with her guidance. She won’t be able to see me graduate but I’ll always have her guidance in memory and will smile for her on graduation day.”
Rachel Perez
WorkLife Consultant
WorkLife Office
“My mom and I have always had a close relationship. Throughout my life she has continuously demonstrated and encouraged having a deep sense of curiosity – curiosity about other people, cultures, history, places, science, and current events. Being a curious person has enriched my life in so many ways. It has made me more open-minded, empathetic, creative and self-aware. Curiosity has led to so many adventures that have and continue to bring joy into my life.”
Alaina Charette
Operations Coordinator
WorkLife Office
