Role of Consumption - Case Study Example

Role of Consumption When examining my role of consumption, I have found that there are different trends that I follow when buying specific types of products. Reasoning over buying specific types of products, looking at advertising as a way to remember what is needed and having a psychological association with the different products or services drive forward what I believe I need. The association with products and services is partly based on consumption for personal needs as well as different types of consumption that is based on advertisements and psychological triggers that relate to desire and an understanding of specific business. The reasons behind consumption then begin to vary and add in new variations and understanding related to lifestyle. The first type of consumption that I take part in is based on need. Basic foods, hygienic materials and other items which are needed for sustainable living are always a priority. When shopping, there is a focus on finding what is needed first as well as ensuring that this is based on the products and services which are believed will help me to maintain my health the most. Even though there is a basis on need as a priority, there are also beliefs from research and from advertisements based on what will help with a quality lifestyle. The quality that I believe should be a part of my basic needs helps to make a choice over what types of products that I get. In this respect, my consumption habits turn toward advertisements, information on the different products and relationships to my own knowledge and psychological connection to assistance with the need. The second process which I use for consumption is based on finding value. The value that I have defined is dependent on both need and desire. The need creates a sense of value that is defined by the quality of products, such as how healthy it is or whether it will enhance my life. The desire is based on finding other types of value. At some points, this is based on lower prices, dependent on the type of product. The other level of desire is based on whether the product will enhance my life in a specific way. I noted that while I was shopping for extra products that weren’t a priority or a need, there was a stronger emphasis on pricing as well as following specific trends. For instance, at one point I had the desire to get a new pair of shoes that would fit for an evening out. I first based this on my own budget. However, I was flexible with the budget because I wanted to fit in with specific trends and social applications that matched with my identity and lifestyle. This example shows how my desire for the shoes was not a need, was first defined by pricing then was altered because of psychological responses and trends that are a part of the desire. Another aspect that was a part of the main reasoning was the relationship that I created with the business and how I understood that business. For instance, when going to shop for food, I avoided specific types of markets, either because there was a belief that they were priced too highly or didn’t have high quality in food. I also avoided businesses that I believed didn’t have good or ethical business practices because of personal associations with that business. This changed the consumption that I took part in as well as the way in which I related to the business. However, I noted that I often altered this according to what was in the external environment. If I was looking for a desired product and saw a continuous advertisement for something similar, then I would go to the store because a level of knowledge was associated with that business carrying the certain product. The power of advertising and the ability to persuade an individual to get a specific product is one that becomes one of the most effective means to raising the amount of consumption within a business. From the levels of consumption which I noted, there was an understanding over levels of advertising. The relationship with the business and the ability to satisfy my needs was the first level of this. The relationship included the desired products, relative prices to fit a specific budget and trends which could be compensated through the business. The power of advertising was also noted as it was able to change buying habits and trends while working in a persuasive way to show that a certain business had the products that I desired. Learning from Careers Workbook When looking at the learning from careers workbook, I was able to take several applicable concepts in relation to the different careers and the way in which they help to shape my desire to have a specific career in the future. When beginning the different workbook sections, I had one specific ideology in mind over my career and how I would present myself in my job field. This was one that was based on my past knowledge, internal desires and the ability to work forward in a specific way. The career workbook was able to further this in a specific way and worked by providing a concrete plan that showed a sense of legitimacy to my passion and career field. Even though there was support and guidance with the career field that I desire to go into, there were other learning experiences that were a part of the workbook. The first part to this was in the defining of my personal character and attributes that are a part of the learning field. More important than having a specific job or career is the ability to carry several attributes into any environment while continuing to grow within a career sector. The more skills and knowledge that one can have, the more flexible they may be. In this sense, I can develop specific skills and can later change my career path without struggling through difficulties or not being able to move out of one specialty. Recognizing that a diversity of skills and characteristics is more pertinent to getting the desired career was important as it helped to redefine some of my current goals. Another perspective which was gained from the careers workbook was based on understanding how specific fields have more applicable areas to work in than usually considered. Different corporations and fields of work are able to provide diversity in the sense of growth and expansion that requires new resources and individuals to work as an asset. More important than growing into a specific job is the need to develop my skills so I can become an asset to any company while working toward my desired career. The awareness that I was able to gain through the characteristics to which I already have as well as to the development which I can use in my career field then creates a different perspective. Rather than focusing on a career, there is the need to present a portfolio of diversity and adaptability to the changing fields and corporations that are currently functioning. Life learning is incorporated into this, while the workbook was able to show that a career is no a constant, but one which should lead to new possibilities in development over time. Leading a Fulfilling Life Leading a fulfilling life isn’t one that is done one time and is reflected on but is done everyday as efforts are made toward different concepts and abilities. My desire to live a fulfilling life is one that is based on creating short and long term goals within my career as well as making sure that I carry specific characteristics that allow me to get through challenges and struggles that are a part of life. By doing this, there is the ability to have a different understanding of how to move forward while allowing change and other alternatives to life to become natural and one which can be adjusted. The first way that I look at living a fulfilling life is by fulfilling the dreams and goals that I have. This is looked at through career first, specifically with my desire to move into a career field that enhances the community and gives back to both the economy and to those that are in need. The career field that I get into should be fulfilling in terms of my skills and attributes and should allow me to continue to excel. The desire to move forward in a career is not based on concepts such as the amount of money that I can make or the status in which I hold. More important, I have a desire to assist with the community and the corporation which I am working in. By doing this, there is the ability to create a different and deeper understanding within my career field. After a certain period of time, it will become easier to progress, specifically with the goals being centered on community assistance within business and holding a specific sense of responsibility within each corporation. While my career field may lead to new and different perspectives based on these goals, there will be the ability to have a belief that my lifelong goals have been reached. The second way in which I can live a fulfilling life is through the actions that I take every day and the way that I focus on my own, personal achievements and ethics. The fulfillments that I get are sometimes based on the ability to move into a career field or to assist others. However, accomplishing short term goals, such as receiving higher grades or getting through a degree field, are also worthy accomplishments. These not only help with long term goals through the daily actions but also assist with personal achievements that can assist with other processes. By doing this, there is the ability to create a more substantial and fulfilling life. This is done as the daily actions which are accomplished with a positive outlook lead to fulfilling long term goals as well as propelling forward the positive aspects of life. Building this type of momentum within my life can help the life long learning to take effect and will help me to reach the desires that are related to career and personal life. The third aspect which is linked to living a fulfilling life is based on my personal beliefs and ethics. This comes from my background and foundation in religion that I have held throughout my life and which I continue to practice. Through this foundation, I have created an understanding of what my own ethical actions mean. Morality, virtue and the ability to have a specific outlook on life are all reflected in what it means to live a fulfilling life. Taking the right actions in situations that are difficult can provide more substantial results and offer the ability for me to have a different outlook on life. By continuing to practice ethics through small decisions as well as in difficult situations, I have the ability to reach new goals, find new focus and to make the right decisions at different times. It is my belief that the ethics and morals that I have will drive forward the short and long term goals as well as the actions that I choose to take in different situations. By doing this, I can easily begin to move forward in other areas of life while gaining positive momentum with my personal lifestyle and within society. Read More