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Saturday, April 11, 2009 Recognize a goal, set a timeline and follow through — that's the prescription for success, expert saysRio Communities Bud Colegrove is an innovator. Colegrove, a Rio Communities resident, has been an instructor for decades and taught in places such as Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. He has taught everything from economics to motivational theory and uses unique methods to teach his students.
Colegrove has brought his knowledge to the First Baptist Church of Belen in a class geared to motivate students to set goals and priorities. The 10-week course, "The Art of Getting the Right Things Done," mixes chapter reading with a discussion of current events. Colegrove started the course after the church's pastor, Bruce Baker, said he felt the need for his staff members to work more efficiently. The class preaches proficiency and is part of a seven-step process that helps people recognize a goal, set a timetable for completion and follow through with it. "I was trying to plan something so the staff could work a little smarter and a little better," Baker said. Baker said the interaction between church members and staff has helped the workers with time management. For example, the church has changed its mindset about how payroll should be done. "We have been able to train folks an alternative," Baker said. "It's OK to say, 'I have to do this for the next two hours until it gets done.' It's made a difference." But Colegrove said all people involved have to be motivated in order to accomplish each goal. "You have to have a set amount of motivation," Colegrove said. "You have to set aside chunks of time to accomplish goals." Colegrove has taught business, economics and ethics in both bachelor's and master's degree programs as well as online courses for the University of Maryland and the University of New Mexico. He also worked on military bases overseas while at Maryland. "It was a lot of fun," Colegrove said. "I have gotten to work with a lot of great people." Colegrove moved to Belen with his wife, Ann, and has been a member of the First Baptist Church for almost two years. So far, Colgrove has enjoyed teaching the class. He said there is a possibility of teaching a similar class open to the public after the current one is finished in the next two weeks. "(The students) have said a lot of good things," Colegrove said. "No on has dropped out." Along with the chapter reading, the military veteran passes out worksheets of current events to tie in with the class discussion. The group talked about socialism and liberalism in this week's class. "(The material) deals with church, work and home," Colgrove said. "That is most people's lives that are active in church." But Colegrove said his classes aren't just for churchgoers. He said anyone can use the applications in everyday life. "I don't change anyone," Colegrove said. "There is a certain truth that you have to be aware of when you set goals. How fast that happens, I don't know." The Rio Communities resident said attaching current events to course reading gives students a better perspective about what is being taught. He said students are more likely to retain information if it's presented in a different way. "It sinks into their memory," Colegrove said. "It says, 'Hey, I have a different idea about this subject now.'" Church staff member Laurie Duffy said the class has helped her set up definitive timetables. She said it has also helped prioritize daily tasks. "Bud is very knowledgeable," Duffy said. "He has a good heart to help set goals in people's lives." Roger Swanson, a student of the class, said the class has been a life-changing experience. He said he has made strides to becoming more organized and accomplishes tasks such as cleaning his living room. "I have avoided setting goals all my life," Swanson said. "This has brought my life back into focus."
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