Author Archives: cnsolomo@illinois.edu

Senior Send-Off and Virtual TKD Classes Continuing

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Traditionally in the spring term, we get to celebrate any graduating seniors from our club with a group dinner. If you are graduating or want to send some good wishes to graduates please complete the survey at https://go.illinois.edu/TKD2020-Senior by May 5th.

Thank you to those that have provided feedback regarding the availability of virtual TKD classes during the pandemic. TKD classes will continue during Finals Week and into the summer session.
At this time, the training sessions will remain on Monday/Wednesday at 6 pm CST and Saturdays at 12 pm CST. The Zoom connection is available on the closed Facebook group and or you can email me if you have any questions or concerns.
Here’s to a successful last week of classes!
—

Candice Solomon-Strutz

TKD Contemplation – Spread Compassion

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During tonight’s contemplation (4/01/20) we shared about compassion both how we practice compassion with ourselves and spread this compassion with others. Think about how we practice compassion in our martial arts training. We often discuss how the aims to achieve apply outside of our martial arts training. How are you continuing to share compassion with others despite the social distancing?

Training with Integrity & M/W Virtual Zoom TKD Training

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It is always energizing to train with others so thank you again for those that joined us for training today. 
 
During today’s (3/28/20) contemplation, I shared a leadership lesson that I apply to my martial arts training and has been very applicable to remote working. The lesson is training with integrity means giving it your best effort even when no one else is looking. 
 
I have several colleagues at the University complain to me that they feel as though they are being micromanaged now that they are working remotely. Some supervisors are having them check-in 4-5 times a day with conference calls or emails to ensure that work is getting done. I’ve shared with several leadership teams that this constant need to monitor an employee while working remotely can be demoralizing and convey a lack of trust in their staff. Overall, it is probably indicative that the supervisor didn’t have a good way to measure and communicate progress and work being accomplished because if these measures and communication strategies were in place then a constant need to monitor the employee’s progress wouldn’t be necessary. I’ve encouraged the leadership teams that I advice to trust that they have employees that work with integrity and communicate the faith they have in their team to do what they say they are going to do.
 
I am continually encouraged when I see students on their martial arts journey continue to try and give it all they’ve got. So I wanted to give a special birthday shoutout to alum Instructor Allegra Martin from joining from the east coast on her birthday and a Farthest Traveled Award to Gouri for joining us from Singapore (nothing like late-night Zoom martial arts training for a good night’s rest).
 
Hopefully, you are all finding ways to apply the five aims to achieve such as integrity to your daily life. 

 
Monday/Wednesday Virtual TKD Zoom Training Sessions

As requested evening classes have been added. I’m glad that the Zoom breakout rooms have worked for some teaching and individual work as well. Please note the evening training sessions have a different link to join than the Saturday sessions and require a password. See the Facebook event for details.