Your assignment this week is to have an “I need” conversation with someone close to you (friend or family member). There are two parts to this assignment. First, you need to prepare for your disc

Your assignment this week is to have an “I need” conversation with someone close to you (friend or family member).  There are two parts to this assignment. First, you need to prepare for your discussion by creating a “conversation plan.” Then, you need to reflect on how the conversation unfolded. You will submit your outline of the conversation plan (part one) on the same page as your reflection (part two).

PART ONE: Here is the outline for your conversation plan.

1.    Create a vision of the ideal state (“I want to earn this college degree”)

2.    Explain your reasons for setting that goal, be sure to point out what’s in it for your friend/family member (“With a degree, I can earn more money for our family”)

3.    Explain what it will take in order for you to achieve that goal (“I need two to three hours of quiet time each night in order to study”)

4.    Explain how the other person can help you (“If you can bathe the kids and put them to bed, I will be able to study”)

5.    Anticipate any resistance (“I know you are tired by the end of the day, and so it may be a challenge to do that by yourself”)

6.    Offer a solution or a compromise (“I can help on the weekends, but I have deadlines on Sundays and Tuesdays”)

7.    Remind your friend/family member of the positive outcome (“If we can work this out, then I can graduate in three years and we then will be able to afford that new car we want to buy”)

PART TWO: After you have the “I need” conversation, reflect upon how it went.  Then, write a reflection paper that includes the following information

1.    Recap your “I need…” conversation. With whom did you have the conversation? Did you cover your main points?  Why or why not?

2.    Reflect on your emotions. How were you feeling during the conversation?

3.    Analyze your friend/family member’s reaction. How did the person respond to your conversation? 

4.    Anticipated results: Do you believe you will get what you need?  Why or why not?

5.    If you were to have the “I need” conversation with a second person, would you change anything given your experience with the first conversation?  Why or why not?