Program helps participants regain focus Published May 5, 2008 By Tech. Sgt. Lee Feldhausen ARPC Professional Development Program DENVER -- I have discovered that working here at ARPC, one routine day after another can often blur a person's vision from what is important and what is not. This can be a problem in our line of work because staying focused on what is important and what is priority is vital to our mission success. Ask yourself, is my vision blurred? If you answered yes, your professional development team has the cure for you -- I-Focus! On April 23, another I-Focus class graduated and certificates of completion were handed out as mementos of participation. A group photo was taken to memorialize the April class' efforts as well. Smiles and laughs were abroad as all the participants shared their stories and experiences of the class with each other. All were very enthusiastic about their newly found "know-how," and I wanted to know why. In an attempt to find out, I cornered Lt. Col. Douglas Young, I-Focus instructor and deputy director of personnel services, and asked him what the craze was all about. I-Focus is "[one] of the signature courses of Franklin Covey that teaches people what matters most in their life and what is urgent and important," Colonel Young said, "Most students are surprised how well it works. It gives people a thirst for doing more and is a great segue for the Seven Habits course." As for the students, they were surprised by what the course had to offer. Master Sgt. Tracey Derrickson, DPP, said she wanted to take the course to "[improve] her organizational skills, time management and goal setting abilities," and she could not "wait to get back to her work center and pass along the experience and information to co-workers." Senior Airman Magic Cannon, DPA, also said he was impressed with the course and that it gave him a better perspective on how he looked at his life. "Before this class I did not look at my life in 10-year increments," he said, "Now I know that I want to be an Air Force officer." I-Focus is for civilians too. Reniese Johnson, deputy director of assignments at ARPC, also took the class. "I took the class because I wanted to work on my organizational skills and time management," she said. "What I learned from the class helps me stay focused on one project at a time instead of bouncing from one project to another. It helps me organize and prioritize." I-Focus is only one exciting opportunity offered by the professional development team. They also offer the "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," June 4-6, and I-Defend on May 16, which is a class about situational awareness and surroundings. You can register for all of the offered classes at the professional development Web site at https://wwwmil.arpc.afrc.af.mil/professional-development/default.asp . Remember, if you need help with your blurred vision, try the next I-Focus class July 21.