What Happened
Houston's Calling Nr. 1 was the first major checkpoint of the academic year. For the charity challenge, I partnered with Khadijah to run a fundraiser with a goal of raising £100. We exceeded that target, raising £150. This was also the first pitch back of the year the first time standing in front of an audience after a summer away. It felt rusty, but we showed up and delivered.
Why It Happened & What It Means
The fact that we exceeded our target wasn't a coincidence and I think that's worth reflecting on. We had a number to aim for. A real, specific target. And that made all the difference. Locke and Latham (2002) talk about exactly this in their goal setting theory the idea that specific, challenging goals push you to perform better than vague ones do. I felt that firsthand. Having £100 as our goal gave us focus, and that focus is what carried us to £150.
It also made me realise something about myself I work better when I know what I'm working towards. Drifting without a clear goal just doesn't get the best out of me. West (2012) backs this up, arguing that clear goals are one of the strongest predictors of how well a team performs. Without direction, effort gets wasted. With it, you actually go somewhere.
As for the presentation nerves I think that rustiness happened for a reason too. Parker (2018) argues that performing in front of others is something that shapes how we grow, not just how we're perceived. That discomfort I felt in HC Nr. 1 was actually useful. It showed me where I was, and made me want to show up differently next time. And I did.
Moving Forward
HC Nr. 1 was the starting point. It taught me that goals matter, that a clear target changes everything, and that showing up — even when it's not perfect — is always worth it. Every Houston's Calling after this one built on what started here.
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