Violet Maw

Susan Knott
COMM 2110
ePortfolio/Reflection
April 30, 2016

Reflection

As I began my 7th semester at SLCC, I was trying to find and register for
classes that would really help me with my communications degree. I also needed
classes that would transfer for credit at the University of Utah. As I was looking at
class descriptions for different communication classes, I really liked the description
associated with Comm 2110, Interpersonal Communication. I am really glad that I
ended up registering for this class. I ended up learning some really important
communication skills for both my personal and professional life.
As one of the major projects in this class, I had to choose a communication skill
that I really wanted to work on. One skill that I really needed help with was learning
how to communicate more clearly. Our text book gave 5 really good steps on learning

how to communicate more clearly. We then had to take the skill that we wanted to
work on and implement it into our everyday lives. To follow that implementation, I
had to keep a personal journal consisting of two entries a week. I had to document the
outcomes for each day, and whether or not I was successful. Overall, using this
process, really helped me to improve the clarity of my communication skills. After
the journal, and weekly reflections, I then had to write all of my conclusions in a
Personal Change Report. I had to really think about my journal and journey, and
reflect upon my personal change. The following document is that final report. I hope
that you enjoy.

Violet Maw
Comm 2110
Final Report on my Personal Change Project
Date: April 30, 2016

This paper explains how my personal change project progressed, and how it really
helped me to learn to communicate better. My goal was to become a better speaker
with regards to speaking more clearly. I decided to use the 5 steps outlined in the
Beebe, Beebe and Redmond text, on pages 165 and 166. These steps were: 1. Think
about what I mean before I speak; 2. Observe the reaction of the listener; 3. Use
appropriate examples; 4. Ask the other person if they have any questions; and, 5.
Consider the background of the other person (Beebe pgs. 165-166). I broke these
steps down, and took each step, for the first 5 weeks, and worked on one step each
week. Then, after 5 weeks, I tried to put all of the steps together for the following 3
weeks. At first, I was shocked to realize that I had not really been stopping to think
before I spoke. Also, I dont know that I was giving too much thought to the
background of another person when I was speaking to them. I really like the results of
learning how to speak more clearly. I have been, in the past, afraid to speak up. This
would leave a confusing message for the other listener. Learning how to simplify
things, has made me feel like I now have some skills to help me when I am afraid to
speak up.
Unwanted Communication Pattern
I am really horrible at being able to communicate clearly. I would always think about
what I said after the fact, and realized that I left unclear communication with others.

This really made me feel bad. I really wanted to improve my communication skills in
this regard.
Here are two examples:
I rely on my mother a lot to help me with my kids while I am going to school. There
was one day where I needed my mom to take my kids to school so that I could have
extra study time. I asked her how long until she was leaving to go to work to see if
she could take my kids. She asked me if she needed me to take my kids. I said that I
wasnt sure. Even though I was secretly wanting her to take my kids. Since she was
willing to take them, I assumed the offer was still valid. I hurried and got my kids
ready. She was getting ready to leave out the door when I brought my kids to her to
take with her. She looked at me confused. I had never clearly told her that I wanted
her to take the kids. I was only going off of her offer, but I had never confirmed. This
situation left everyone feeling frustrated.

Another situation was at home as well. I was cleaning, and needed to take out some
sacks to the garbage. My mom was cleaning the entrance, so I could not get outside.
I left my garbage bags by the door, with the intention of coming back later to take it
out. In the meantime, my step-dad saw the bags sitting there and assumed that I had
just left them there never to return. He felt upset. My mom told me about the
situation, and I explained to her what had happened. I failed to communicate clearly
by not letting my mom know, in the first place, why I had left the bags there, and that
I would be back later to pick them up.

Strategies
My strategy to speak more clearly was to implement the 5 steps outlined in my text
book.

The first strategy I worked on was to think about what I meant before I spoke (Beebe,
pg. 165). This really took some forethought. I spent a week working specifically on
this concept. Thinking before I spoke really helped me to avoid saying the wrong
things. Learning this specific skill could probably take a lifetime to master. But, it is
extremely important.
Second, I observed the reaction of my listener (Beebe pg. 165). By observing my
listeners reaction, it really helped me to determine if what I was saying was coming
across clearly. Unless someone has a great poker face, looking at and observing
someones reaction is a huge key to knowing if what you are saying is coming across
clearly.
Third, I used appropriate examples (Beebe pg. 166). This step is really important
because by using appropriate examples, you are better able to clearly get your
message across. I really feel like this step came in handy when dealing with my
daughter. Kids learn great by giving examples.
Fourth, ask the other person if they have questions (Beebe pg. 166). By asking if the
other person has questions, you are able to determine if your listener is understanding
your message, or what you are trying to tell them. How else do you know if they
understand you unless you ask them.
Fifth, consider the background of the other person (Beebe pg. 166). By considering
the background of the other person, this gives you an extra key to know how to
communicate more clearly and effectively.
Constraints
For me, the biggest constraint that I felt when implementing all of these steps was that
I had to stop and really think about each step. When you are in the middle of a
conversation, it is really hard to do that. Sometimes I wished that I had a cheat
sheet next to me so that I could think about each step. I think that after much
practice, remembering each step would come easier and more smoothly.

Implementation
I really feel that by breaking down each step, and only working on one step a week,
this really helped me to implement the strategies discussed in our text book. If I had
had to implement all 5 steps at the beginning, I think that I would have failed. But, by
breaking down the steps, and giving time to each step, I was really able to focus on
what I was doing.
A specific instance where I implemented the outlined strategies successfully, all 5,
was toward the end of my journal entries. I had an instance with my daughter, and I
really think that had I not had known how to speak more clearly, both my daughter
and I could have both ended up feeling very frustrated.

Results
As I implemented the strategies that I discussed above, I really noticed a change in
myself. As I have discussed before, that my communication would sometimes be
cloudy because I was afraid of knowing how to communicate what I wanted exactly.
But, learning how to simplify and be clear about what it is that I am communicating, I
have found a way around my fear, and go straight for the desired dialogue that I had
wanted to happen. People respond to clear communication very well. I love having
these tools to use at work and in my personal life. At work it helps me talk to
emotional clients and at home it helps me to communicate with my family.

Recommendations
I am definitely going to continue to implement these strategies in my communication
skills. Specifically, I plan to focus on trying to implement these strategies when
communicating in a situation where I am afraid of the outcome. Also, if I use these
strategies more, I can teach others around me how to do it too. Being able to teach my
kids how to communicate clearly would save them a lot of trouble and heartache.

Also, my communication skills were learned a great deal from my parents. I think
that by being able to recommend these steps to them, they will both be thankful as
well. Erasing the trend of not being able to communicate clearly is extremely
important.
Also, at work, being able to really listen to my clients will help me to help them better.
By using all 5 steps, I will better be able to help them out, and get to the root of the
problem.

Works Cited
Beebe, Beebe, & Redmond. (2014). Interpersonal Communication: Relating to Others.
Boston: Pearson.