Fwd: Personal Interview

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Paul Gibbons <gibbons.paul@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Jan 4, 2016 at 7:52 AM
Subject: Re: Personal Interview
To: Caleb Gibbons <cgibbons@myldsmail.net>

Caleb:

I'm glad to hear about the strengths.  Great job.  At the risk of having you get frustrated with me, I'll share some thoughts on your weaknesses.

When you get pressured, you can always just be honest.  You don't need to have an answer to every question you are asked.  There is nothing wrong with saying something like, "You know, that's a great question, let me think about it and we'll get back to you."  That does three things, it allows you to be honest, it allows you to research a topic, and it allows you to get back to someone with a stated purpose.  It's just a thought and I'm sure you'll figure out something that works for you.

With members, you simply ask a lot of open-ended questions.  Have them tell you anything and everything about themselves.  With older members, ask about there kids and grandkids.  You will find that they are proud of their children and will respond to you if you are genuine with them.  Be truly interested in them though.  Don't ask a question and then zone them out.  Remember that (I think) one of your strengths is that you are so kind and good with people and especially children.  When everything you do is rooted in love towards those you associate with, you will find that this will become less of an issue.

I would've guessed that waking up would be hard for you.  When you were growing up, I often thought about making you get up and get the bed off your back but I concluded that I'd rather let you sleep in a little bit than have you get frustrated and spend your day with a cloud following you around.  So, now you have a bad habit that needs to be broken.  It's really not a bid deal (unless you give up and end up being a slug) and I'm sure you'll figure it out.

Finally, learn to love studying.  Our brains are what separate us from the animals.  Further, using your mind will allow you to have a career that you enjoy and one that allows you to make contribution to society.  Be thankful that you have been given a bright capable mind.

Love you,  Dad

On Mon, Jan 4, 2016 at 7:09 AM, Caleb Gibbons <cgibbons@myldsmail.net> wrote:

So one thing I'm lacking is constructive criticism. My companion is to
nice! Haha so I'm going to tell you what my strengths and what my
weaknesses are. If you could keep this off the blog..

Strengths: I feel like I get along with my companion, I can teach the
restoration really well and I can talk to anyone I see and introduce
my self as a missionary to them.

Weaknesses: I'm not so good under pressure.. When an investigator asks
me a hard question I get red and look to my companion as help haha. I
can't keep a conversation (small talk) going with a member. I feel
like I'm working on this and getting better at it but it's still a
struggle. And I lack some serious motivation to wake up and start
studies. My companion and I have slept through a couple alarms and I
just get angry when I wake up on my own now. I've been pushing myself
to take a pre workout in the mornings so it helps me wake up and smell
the dew ehh.

Anyway, I would like to do this once a month, Monday after fast
Sunday, just to evaluate how I can be a better missionary. I think it
would help me grow and become more of a Preach My Gospel missionary.
Love you both for your support and love. Till next time.

- Elder Caleb Gibbons