Project To Dos

Required Project Energy Levels

EXTREME

HIGH

MEDIUM

LOW

IDLE

1.Work Provider Search Tool, Patient Reviews

Over the past year and a half, I have been working on a project to display patient satisfaction reviews on the
care received from providers to UHC members. This includes contracting with an external vendor, designing
the experience within the main provider search tool, and creating internal/external communications.

2. Work/School - Sustainable Focus

I am working to pursue a career that actively centers on sustainability, starting the MASD program at MCAD,
expanding my network with sustainable professionals, volunteering with local organizations, and attending
career fairs.

3. Personal Exercise
Frequent and consistent exercise has been a challenge for me since college, so I have reintroduced this
routine through yoga classes and running during the past year.

4. Personal Apartment
At this stage in my life, owning property is not something I feel prepared to do, so I have been enjoying the
flexibility of apartment-living. With that is the fun of switching up my living space every year or couple of
years to explore a new area.

5. Work Social Responsibility

I am part of a Social Responsibility team at work that is in charge of connecting individual employees and
teams with volunteer activities in the community,. This includes dentifying organizations that are in need of
one-off and ongoing support, and scheduling events for engagement.

6. Personal Healthy Eating

As a part of my broader goal to take care of myself and be more active, I am also eating more healthily. In
addition to more intentional seasonal cooking, I have also been improving the balance in my meals with
different food groups, nutrients, vitamins, etc.

7. Personal Trip to Disney World

Like many in my generation, Disney has always been a favorite of mine and I have desperately wanted to go
to Disney World since a young age. For my 25th, I am finally going to go and make my dreams come true!
Organizing this trip requires some planning and preparation to ensure we make the most of our time!

8. Personal Trip to Kilimanjaro

In celebration of my dads 60th birthday, my mom, my sister, my boyfriend, and I are going to join him in
climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. There is a lot needed for this type of trip in terms of purchases and
arrangements.

9. Personal Closet Clean-Out

On an ongoing basis, I try to be more mindful of the amount of stuff I
own, and work to pass on clothing items that can be used by someone
else.

10. Personal Project Puppy

Looking to add a furry friend and running buddy! Doing so means
research on breeds and responsibility, and puppy-proofing living
spaces.

Annika Bergen
Creative Leadership
R4.2 The Action Method

Action Method

Personal Trip to Kilimanjaro

Action Steps
Budgeting account for financials of trip
Purchases acquire necessary hiking gear
Request PTO receive approval for time off
Train physically prepare for 8 day hike
Travel Arrangements plan for flights,
hotels, porters, etc.

Work Coverage coordinate with

colleagues to cover project needs

References
Internet Searches info about
Tanzania, the hike, weather, etc.
Friend Conversations details from
friends who hiked Kilimanjaro
Travel Books guides and literature
for logistical details
Travel Blogs personal accounts with
tips and stories on the experience

Backburner
Away Message at Work set anemail
response while out of office
Notify Bank of Travel ensure credit cards
will operate overseas
Packing pack backpack with hiking gear
Transport to Airport Plan determine
means/route to airport

Execution

Personal Trip to Kilimanjaro

Key Action Steps:

Purchases acquire necessary hiking gear
Train physically prepare for 8 day hike
Travel Arrangements plan for flights, hotels, porters, etc.
The three action steps Ive identified as fundamental for moving this project forward range from more
basic, one-time purchases, to logistical arrangements and reservations, to ongoing training schedules.
Purchasing equipment is the more straight forward action step on this list, as it centers on tangible
items that I need to buy prior to this trip. While I have hiked many times before, it has never been for
this length of time(eight days), and often I will wear the footwear and clothing I already own.
However, for such a substantial hike, I have chosen to invest in more legitimate hiking equipment to
guarantee I am adequately prepared with equipment and supplies for this experience. Travel
arrangements move to the next level of purchases, given the financial commitment made when
scheduling this length and style of trip. It also takes a lot of time to decide what flights are the best
priced and most convenient, making reservations at the hotels when we first arrive and before we
leave, and also choosing a travel company with whom we will travel. This last item is important
because hikers are required to work through a travel agency and use porters for the hike. Significant
research has to be done to understand what companies are the most sustainable, have received the
best customer feedback and ratings, and have also joined the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project
(KPAP) to support their employees. The third item requires the longest preparation, as there isnt an
exact amount of mental and physical training needed to be ready for this hike. Any form of exercise is
beneficial for this training, whether it is strength, flexibility, endurance, etc. Even so, running for a
couple of hours is very different from hiking for eight hours. Therefore, its essential to incorporate
actual hikes into an exercise regime and build up the length of time and the incline level that is
achievable.

Mental Loyalty
From the get-go, my mental loyalty to hiking Mount Kilimanjaro has been very high
given my dads request for our family to do this for his 60th birthday. Furthermore,
once you purchase a plane ticket, there isnt a whole lot that you can do to back out
of the commitment (that unquestionably increased my mental commitment to this
excursion). I think the portion of this project that will require the most focus for me
to maintain loyalty is physical training and preparation. I would be lying if I said I
wasnt nervous about how strenuous it will be to climb to the summit of this
dormant volcano. In order to limit the energy and focus I waste on worrying about
my preparedness, I have created a complete schedule for my exercising plans. For
each week, I have broken out the days I have time to work out, noted the type of
exercise I will be doing, and planned official start and stop times. On the weekends, I
have blocked the days needed to do longer endurance training. If I can fold this into
my weekly routine and maintain it for the next 6 months, I think I will feel confident
leading up to our departure date.
Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing.
Barry Finlay, Kilimanjaro and Beyond