1

MSOD Strategic Learning Contract

4/8/18
Name: Lauren Smith

What are the patterns that have defined you (affirming and depleting)?
● Affirming: Works hard, charming & persuasive, empathetic
● Depleting: Risk averse, poor listener, stays in comfort zone, perfectionist, poor decision-maker
Where are you now in your awareness?
o I’m a hard worker and always want to do by best, and because of this I struggle with being a perfectionist and making decisions.
o 8/13/17: I’m working on my decision making and confidence by being more assertive and standing up for myself and my needs.
o Because I want everything to be perfect, I often never feel finished with the work I’m doing.
o 8/13/17: I realize that much of my perfectionism is in an effort to please others and not myself.
o Because I want all the decisions I make to be the right ones I over-analyze data and want to be sure of my choices 100% before I make them. These things
force me to stay in my comfort zone and not take risks.
o 8/13/17: By putting myself first it’s helping with feeling less perfectionistic and I feel more comfortable with making decisions.

Overall, I realize that much of what I do is impacted by a lack of self-confidence and a deep caring for others above and beyond caring for myself. For example, I commit
go to classes at the gym because I don’t have the confidence that I’ll have a good workout on my own, I’m not as confident in making decisions because I feel that if I
make the wrong one I might hurt someone or impact someone negatively, and I’m a poor listener because my mind is usually racing thinking about other people or how I
will complete work in order to not disappoint someone else or myself.

Where I am now in my awareness is that I am enough, just the way I am. If I believe in myself the way I believe in others, or the way others believe in me, I won’t be
afraid to make decisions and be wrong. Or better yet, I won’t be afraid of making decisions and being right! My intuition never fails me and if I can remember that with
reviewing data and making decisions I will have to confidence to trust myself.

Overall SLC Proof can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B1MjH8kj8572QmRfNmhmekd0eVU?usp=sharing


MSOD Strategic Learning Contract
4/8/18
Name: Lauren Smith
What are your Goals? How will you get there?
Results, impact wanted Strategies, tactics, methods
Personal Development
A1: A1a.
I will write in my journal at least
once a week
Become more mindful and
grow my spirituality
A1b.
I will develop a mindfulness
practice
How will you know you have arrived?
Indicators of Success
I will bring my journal to each Intensive in o
order to show my Learning Group that I have
written.
• Proof: see journals in Google
Hangout
I will conduct 5 interviews total of friends, o
family, cohort members, and professors to
learn more about mindfulness practices.
In Practicum 1, Practicum 2 I will share a
new mindfulness technique I learned with my
Learning Group.
• Proof: recaps can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/document/
d/1-
0UbJGYkWXi1FcFDk5ntdFBSgWg
bMEwiZr-
bzMw7_cQ/edit?usp=sharing
2
How am I doing?
Progress Tracking
8/13/17: I write in my journal at least once a week & I
will bring this journal to France with me
o 1/4/18: I continue to write in my journal as often as I
can (which is not always once a week – sometimes
less and sometimes way more!)
o 4/8/18: I write in my journal once a week and more if I
feel I need it. This has helped be better articulate my
feelings and feel better overall
8/13/17: I am visiting my sister in London before our
first Practicum and I have made plans to “interview”
her while I’m there on her mindfulness practices. I’m
excited to learn from her and use this as an
opportunity for us to have time together.
o 1/4/18: I have not done more mindfulness interviews
though my plan is to talk with members of the cohort
while I’m in Costa Rica
o 4/8/18: I completed by interviews by speaking with my
sister, 2 classmates, my mentor and 1 professor.
Through these conversations I realize that the act of
meditation or journaling – whatever mindfulness
practice I choose – is like exercising. The more you
exercise that mindfulness muscle, the more mindful
you’re able to be in your everyday life. The most
impactful advice through these interviews came from
Darren, when he talked about being in a meeting and
remembering to feel the back of your chair or feet on
the ground can help you be more mindful of being in
the room and what’s happening. I’ve been using this
technique in meetings and it has been
overwhelmingly helpful for me and my concentration.

MSOD Strategic Learning Contract
4/8/18
Name: Lauren Smith
A1c. o When I finish reading the book, I will
connect with Suzanne on my reflections
I will read Dance of Anger by o I will share my reflections about the book
August 2017 and my conversation with Suzanne, in
buddy reflection time, by Practicum 2
A2: A2a. I will provide a log, of every time I’ve
scanned into the gym, with my Learning
Create and stick to I will keep a consistent gym Group in Practicum 3.
healthier habits routine, exercising at least 3 times • Proof:
a week https://photos.app.goo.gl/wd
CCoLcYRYORmG4o2
A2b. I will take pictures of at least one meal a day o
or a weekly meal prep. I will keep a photo
I will keep meals and overall diet album, cataloged by time and will share
healthier albums with my Learning Group in Practicum
3.
3
o 8/13/17: I have finished reading the Dance of Anger
and have gotten so many insights from the book. I
have a conversation scheduled with Suzanne for 8/14
to talk about my reflections and what practices will
support my new ways of thinking and behaving. I
have not shared any reflections with my buddy
o 4/8/18: While the reflection and conversation with
Suzanne wasn’t specifically shared with my buddy, I
did share reflections with the Lunettes in a check-in in
Lyon
o 8/13/17: I have been going to the gym 3 – 4 times a
week and it has helped with my mood and overall
well-being
o 1/4/18: I have continued to go to the gym often,
though I sprained my foot in October which set me
back in my gym routine. Once mostly recovered, I’ve
gotten back into my 3-times a week routine as much
as I can.
o 4/8/18: I have continued to go to the gym as
consistently as I can. Some things that have impacted
this is starting the new job and moving. I additionally
realized that exercising on my own (vs. going to the
gym) has been just as useful and helpful in keeping
my gym routine. One main reflection here for me is
that I think it has previously been a lack of confidence
in having a good enough workout on my own and
feeling like I needed to go to a class at the gym. I now
feel more confident in doing my own workout in the
gym or at home which has been nice. I’m particularly
proud of making it to the gym almost every day in
Costa Rica.
8/13/17: I have been doing weekly meal prep, almost
every week, and I have taken pictures of meal prep or
meals regularly. All picture have been saved to
Google Drive to easily be shared with the Lunettes
o 1/4/18: As mentioned in August, I have been keeping
 4
MSOD Strategic Learning Contract
4/8/18
Name: Lauren Smith

• Proof: up with meal pictures. Doing this has kept me

https://photos.app.goo.gl/flw2 accountable and making good choices!
OIC5YPtu2qhj1 o 4/8/18: As previously mentioned, taking pictures of
healthy meals has continued. One thing that has
impacted the photo-taking has been starting the new
job and not being as present with taking pictures in
the last couple weeks.
A2c. Track sleeping habits using the iPhone o 8/13/17: I track my sleep, every night, using the
bedtime timer and every Sunday morning iPhone bedtime timer. I have noticed a correlation
I will sleep an average of 7 hours take a screenshot of the weekly results. between the amount of sleep I get and my mood
each night Screenshots will be included in my picture during the day (aka less sleep equal less productive).
album, to be shared with my Learning Group o 1/4/18: As mentioned in August, I continue to track
in Practicum 3. my sleep and have been doing well!
• Proof: o 4/8/18: I’ve been doing very well with this goal and
https://photos.app.goo.gl/h5c have met my expectations with creating this habit.
tv1sGY2dQ7xIc2

A3: A3a. I will attend therapy at least twice a month o 8/13/17: In April 2017, I began seeing a therapist I
through February 2018. I will keep records of found through an online search/through my insurance.
I will begin individual therapy attendance and share these records I saw her for ~4 sessions, through the end of May,
therapy/counseling to work on with my Learning Group in Practicum 2. and I just felt like she wasn’t listening to me. Because
building confidence and managing • Proof: she wasn’t listening she didn’t seem to understand
Become more confident in anger https://docs.google.com/document/ me and so I ended our relationship. This was a very
my decision making and d/1X85- big move for me because normally, I would have
sharing my point of view zA8o67pZU40HiDgHoxNnl9IwUq7 continued the relationship though I wasn’t getting
NRXe0AJgLvwk/edit?usp=sharing anything out of it but I put myself first and told her I
wanted to part ways.
o In June 2017, I found a new therapist, using Mike’s
EAP, and I love her. I have been up front with her
about what I need and how I might be defensive or
put my guard up and she’s been wonderful. I’ve seen
her ~5 times now and will continue to see her every
other week.
o 1/4/18: I have been going to therapy every other week
and it has been going really well. I should have all
payment records that I will upload into my shared

MSOD Strategic Learning Contract
Name: Lauren Smith
A3b.
I will think more mindfully about
making decisions and asking
others for advice
A3c.
I will read 2 - 4 articles on
developing presence
4/8/18
Mike will write two letters to my Learning
Group on my progression in decision making
- one letter before Practicum 1 and one letter
before Practicum 3.
• Proof:
https://docs.google.com/document/
d/1L_6UUXBuwrFPtqEfh2z-
B5fXlWu89FBmYmgWBN4LQLc/ed
it?usp=sharing
I will read by Practicum 2, and share my
reflections with the group
• Proof:
https://docs.google.com/document/
d/13QIzAEvUWJzCljcd9dAfCraTNA
-t-DhVswoAJQJi-
Gw/edit?usp=sharing
5
folder.
o 8/13/17: I personally feel like my decision making has
gotten better and I have become more confident in my
ability to make decisions. Mike will write a letter about
how he feels I’m progressing for France.
o 1/4/18: This continues to go surprisingly well. I
currently have no day-to-day manager at work which
has really pushed me into being able to make
decisions on my own, which has trickled into all
aspects of my life.
o 4/8/18: My decision-making ability has grown in a way
that’s almost shocking to me! My biggest milestone
here has been making the decision to start a new job.
I could have easily decided to stay in my old role and
coast where it was comfortable. Instead I took a leap
into a new opportunity and I feel happy with having
been able to make that decision.
o 8/13/17: Not yet started. I would like to pivot this goal
(in a direction I think it actually started in) to reading
the book, You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting
Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life. It
was recommended to me by a coworker and feels like
something that would resonate well with me!
o 1/4/18: In another twist I’ve picked up The Gifts of
Imperfection by Brene Brown. I’m excited to read this
but likely won’t finish until China.
o 4/18: In an effort to not overextend, I reverted to my
original goal of reading two articles on presence.

MSOD Strategic Learning Contract
4/8/18
Name: Lauren Smith
Professional Development
B1: B1a.
Explore which area of OD I will participate in 2 informational
I would like to focus on interviews in different areas of OD
B1b.
I will network with MSOD Alumni
B1c.
I will share what I’m learning in the
program with my work colleagues
I will keep a shared Google Docs folder
with summaries of each meeting. I will
share the folder and my summaries with
my Learning Group by Practicum 2.
• Proof:
https://docs.google.com/docum
ent/d/1n0f-
rbKDZUonxPyTlhQlL8ewHaHJ
omDh9sEWn11RmpY/edit?usp
=sharing
I will connect with at least one alumnus
per year (2017 & 2018). To document I
will take a picture and add it to my photo
album, to be shared with my Learning
Group in Practicum 3.
• Proof:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/
ApkF2RLHlGS8C7JE2
I will conduct a presentation to my
colleagues about my experiences in
grad school. I will share the presentation
with my Learning Group by Practicum 3. o
• Proof:
https://drive.google.com/drive/f
olders/1qHHtT0aXNoi2F8l9uK
BbVS5VroCDp5ZC?usp=shari
ng
6
o 8/13/17: I had one non-informational interview in July
2017 for a Learning & Development position with a
technology company.
o 1/4/18: I had an additional non-informational interview
for a Program Manager of Learning & Development in
November. I will write up notes about the meetings
that led to the formal in-person interview while I
continue to explore more informational interviews.
o 8/13/17: In February 2017, I connected with 3 MSOD
Alumni for brunch in the Boston area. The group took
a picture and it is in my photo album, which will be
shared in Practicum 3.
o 1/4/18: There will be another MSOD day of
connection early in 2018 that I plan to attend to fulfill
this goal
o 8/13/17: Not yet started, though colleagues expressed
interest in me presenting our Benchmarking
presentation
1/4/18: I’m a little worried about completing this item
as things have been a bit volatile at work – I’d love to
talk about how I might complete this with The
Lunettes.
o 4/8/18: Because of all the changes that have
happened at work, completing this presentation goal
was not feasible. What I’m presenting in my proof is
an example of how I was able to integrate what I have
learned in school with my work colleagues. A
colleague and HR Business Partner at CA asked me
to be involved with one of her clients in helping her
create a Manager Development Program. Proof
provided is her original thoughts, my notes from that

MSOD Strategic Learning Contract
4/8/18
Name: Lauren Smith
B2: B2a. I will share who my mentor is and give
recaps about what I’m learning from
I will identify a local OD mentor them. I will write reflections in my shared
Google Doc folder and share with my
Expand my network of OD Learning Group in Practicum 3.
professionals • Proof:
https://docs.google.com/docum
ent/d/1xoivknqqbspkFwk8o9qe
ehH0fEGGYyRoPSb00g0D_38
/edit?usp=sharing
B2b. Attend at least one event by the end of
the program and save the registration.
I will attend local OD-related The registration will be added to my
networking events shared Google Docs folder in Practicum
3.
• Proof:
https://docs.google.com/docum
ent/d/1Q6VGmjx3VIrm84bCCZ
7tae84Swm1f8kU7XEMg3sJD
Nc/edit?usp=sharing
7
meeting with her (with answers to my questions and
my thoughts, and the iteration of the planning
documents she went through. I believe this shows
how I used inquiry to help her development this
program and I challenged her to think through her
goals and outcomes from the program. Overall, I feel
like I additionally accomplished this goal because I
was able to narrow down that working in Learning &
Development is where I want to use my OD skills.
Working on this project with this colleague helped me
reach that goal and realization.
o 8/13/17: I have identified a mentor, Summer Turner,
who I met because she is an Executive Coach at my
firm. So far we have met once and have plans to meet
again in September.
o 1/4/18: Based on schedules my mentor and I have
not gotten together much though we’ve continued a
conversation and she’d invited me to others to meet
as well.
o 8/13/17: Not yet started
o 1/4/18: I’m looking into attending an ATD event to
fulfil this goal
o 4/8/18: I accomplished this goal in two different ways.
When I attended the ATD training Certificate Course, I
kept in touch with all the individuals present in an
email chain and LinkedIn. Through this, I feel like I
have a group of colleagues I can go to for questions
and to bounce ideas off of. I additionally attended
dinner with Boston MSOD alumni who I had not met
before (in addition to the other 2 meetings).
 8
MSOD Strategic Learning Contract
4/8/18
Name: Lauren Smith
B2c. I will summarize my conversations in the o 8/13/17: I have connected with 2 professionals, who
shared Google Doc folder, outlining have experience in instructional design. I have typed
Connect with instructional designers what we spoke about, what I learned, notes about these conversations into my SLC shared
and the next steps I took away from the folder.
conversation by Practicum 1.
• Proof:
https://docs.google.com/docum
ent/d/1dH9CAJ6_Xy93gwruccb
mxl3uJcJY0MBJG0isNES7txA/
edit?usp=sharing
B3: B3a. I will show my Learning Group the o 8/13/17: I have identified a course I would like to take
Learn additional skills to course registration and certificate of with ATD but haven’t registered
increase my Take a course on training skills completion by Practicum 3. o 1/4/18: I completed the ATD Training Certificate
employability/marketability • Proof: Course in December 2017.
in OD https://drive.google.com/file/d/1
viDMOfZdrk6U4H5A2yeFDQA
beQsZNK3W/view?usp=sharin
g
B3b. I will show my Learning Group the o 8/13/17: I have identified a course I would like to take
course registration and certificate of via Lyda.com. My registration would be under Mike’s
Take course on a content creation completion by Practicum 3. name because it’s his account through Harvard – is
software • Proof: the group ok with this?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1 o 4/8/18: I completed an Intro to Adobe Captivate
CeEImz0is0kgQTKvmvmZBfm course which gave me a working knowledge of the
89Pc9t1QU/view?usp=sharing system and I now feel like I can speak knowledgeably
about it.
B3c. I will increase my knowledge of data o 8/13/17: I have had 1 meeting with a consultant from
gathering and analyzing data by Korn Ferry Hay Group wo took me through her
Increase knowledge of data gathering connecting with a local consultant who consulting and data gathering process. Notes will be
and analyzing data can share best practices, tips, and in shared folder
tricks. I will share my reflection and what
I learned in the shared Google Doc
folder by Practicum 3.
• Proof:
https://docs.google.com/docum
ent/d/1ZHv_eKy2bvo0X-ovd-
 9
MSOD Strategic Learning Contract
4/8/18
Name: Lauren Smith
YKvbsZhtVP_z2WfAfMRSHh5
ZY/edit?usp=sharing

Academic Development
C1: C1a. o 8/13/17: I have submitted Chapters 1 – 3 to my
● March 5: Research, select advisor
topic
● March 6 - 10: Connect with
thesis advisor
● March 12: Solidify thesis
question
● March 31: Submit Thesis
Proposal Chapter 2,
Thesis Proposal: Literature Review
Chap 1 - 3 ● April 15: Research Design
and Action Research
Methodologies & choose
methodology
● May 1: Investigate location to
conduct research
● June 1: Submit Thesis
Proposal Chapter 3
● June 10: Prepare oral
persuasive summary
proposal, record a video or
voice thread of your proposal
and post in Sakai.
● June 14: View 2 other
proposals and provide
comments in Forum in Sakai
● July 30: Send Thesis
 10
MSOD Strategic Learning Contract
4/8/18
Name: Lauren Smith
Proposal in APA format to
advisor
● Work with advisor to
determine if design will need
IRB approval
C2: C2a. o 8/13/17: Not yet started
● July 30 - August 25: Collect Data o 1/4/18: I feel mostly on track with my thesis. I am
Thesis Completion: ● Sep 5: Bring the data you have about to being data collection and if all goes well, I will
Chapters 1 - 5 collected (transcriptions of be able to analyze data when I return from Costa
interviews, raw data from surveys) Rica.
to Practicum 1 o 4/8/18: I am patiently working through transcribing
● Feb 10, 2018: Submit Chapter 4, interviews and will then write Chapter 4. I would love
Results to be able to send my entire thesis to my advisor
● March 11, 2018: Submit Chapter before China but I don’t know if this will be feasible. I
5, Discussion and Conclusion have a pattern on setting lofty goals and being too
● March 26, 2018: Entire thesis sent hard on myself when I don’t complete them so I am
to advisor working on not doing this with the thesis.
● May 11, 2018: Entire Thesis
(approved by thesis advisor) due
to second reader
● June 30, 2018: Thesis approved
by advisor and second reader,
sent to APA Editor