From Business to Balance: How FBLA Shaped My Personal Growth

High school is often seen as the time to figure out careers and what you want to do for the rest of your life. And, while that’s true, I believe there is more to the things we pursue in high school. The clubs and teams we join during these formative years can be applied to the core goals of this blog: personal growth, wellness, and fulfillment. High school should be the time to discover who you are as a person, promoting self-improvement that can be beneficial for the coming years.

I joined my school’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club, and it has taught me more than any class has. Starting as a timid freshman, this club allowed me to develop essential soft skills such as public speaking, and has made me more comfortable in myself than ever.  I could go on and on about the things this club has given me, but there are 3 lessons or tips that I feel most worth sharing: goals, communication, and self-care.

The first lesson is goals, or rather goal setting, for personal growth. There are always traits we hope to adopt or get rid of, but how do we actually do that? Thinking and dreaming are not enough to achieve; you must work. Now, those SMART goals you hear about all the time may sound like business jargon and useless tactics, but things like that actually do help. Finding a system like SMART goals that works for you can be the key to you doing not just dreaming. The main thing is to write down your goal, devise a plan to reach that goal, and regularly visit that piece of paper so you are reminded of the dream you wish to live. Remember, don’t just dream; do.

Okay, the second thing I learned was the power of communication, specifically networking. There might be this stigma around the word, but to me, networking means making connections by being yourself and doing the most you can for each other. Going to competitions and conferences, I’ve adopted certain business skills in communication that have not only helped me build relationships but also make them meaningful ones. These are the relationships you cherish for the rest of your life, grateful for the opportunity to have met. Making those connections is not easy by any means, but it is all about presenting who you truly are and communicating actively in both professional and personal manners. Those skills and relationships you develop there will carry you to higher places in the future.

Finally, the third lesson I learned: how work ethic meets self-care. Ambition is a strong and enduring force, but without balance, it can lead to a certain illness, both physically and mentally. It is important to take time for your health in the storm of your determination. Personally, I schedule “self-care dates” with myself where I do one thing that I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. It could be painting the latest on your Pinterest board, baking those cookies you’ve been craving, or even taking a drive to visit a scenic spot for yourself. Doing these little things for yourself is a way for you to balance your mind with your body. Nothing is more important than your well-being!

FBLA has taught me all of these things and more, and the one thing these lessons have in common is that they’ve allowed me to grow into who I am and strive for who I want to be in the future. Try to find ways to learn more about yourself through spontaneous and ambitious ways, but make sure you keep my three lessons that I’ve learned in mind: goals, communication, and self-care. Remember your goals and work hard to achieve them. Try to build relationships and connections by putting your true self out there because you never know, they could lead to great things in the future. And of course, take time for yourself…go on self-care dates! All of these lessons and more have shaped me into who I am today, and I only hope to learn more as I grow for the future.