Professional Development

Importance of Self-Care/Body Mechanics:

The signs of chronic stress include high blood pressure, digestive problems, sleep disorders, mood shifts, depression, anxiety, and decrease in mental activity. It is so easy to forget about ourselves, yet as caregivers we must make certain we're also care-receivers. The number one cause of physical burnout and injuries is poor body mechanics. Take the time to find out what works best for your body.

Active Listening:

This involves giving your full attention to the speaker. Listen for the feelings behind words, facial expressions, or gestures. To completely understand what a speaker is saying, a listener needs to understand what the message means to the speaker. Understand what is said from within the speaker's frame of reference. Convey interest with non-verbal communication, such as open body language and steady eye contact, avoid distractions such as fiddling with a pen.

Stereotyping

-Categorizing groups of people together without regard for the individual. Labeling or judging behavior rather than seeking to understand it.

Stereotype

-A standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude, or uncritical judgement.

Ranking

-A system of organizing goals in order of priority and urgency.

Ethics

-A system or code of morals and conduct of a person, religion, group or profession.

Purpose

-An intention, expressed as a conscious thought in the present, to realize a future goal or aim. The "why" of the decisions you make.

Judgement

-An opinion or evaluation about another person's behavior or characteristics.

Morals

-Personal behavior measured by prevailing standards of rectitude.

Affirmation

-A positive declaration that something is already so. A constructive thought that you deliberately choose to place in your consciousness to produce a desired result.

Values

-A principle, standard or quality considered worthwhile or desirable.

Laws

-A rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding and enforced by the authority, legislation, or custom of a given community, state, society or other group.

Priorities

-General areas of concern. Statements of intention that are connected with values.

Cultural Competence

-Refers to an ability to interact with people of different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. Cultural comprises four components: 1. Awareness of one's own cultural worldview. 2. Attitude towards cultural differences. 3. Knowledge of different cultural practices and worldviews. 4. Cross-cultural skills. Developing cultural competence results in an ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures.

Culture

-The customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group.

Empathetic Listening

-The highest form of listening, with the intent to understand; from a place of non-judgement and acceptance. You are listening with your ears, eyes, and heart.

Discrimination

-The unequal treatment of individuals or groups based on their race, ethnicity, gender, religion or other form of cultural identity.

Discount

-To view with doubt, causing someone to feel less valuable or less important.

Goal

-What one intends to do or achieve. The "where" and "when" of the decisions you make.

Six Steps to Resolving Ethical Dilemma:

1. Identify the problem. 2. Identify the potential issues involved. 3. Review your profession's code of ethics and relevant laws. 4. Evaluate potential courses of action. 5. Obtain consultation. 6. Determine the best course of action.

The Five Principles of Ethical Power:

Purpose: I see myself as an ethically sound person. Pride: I feel good about myself. Patience: I believe that things will eventually work out well. Persistence: I stick to my purpose, especially when it's not easy Perspective: I take time each day to quietly reflect on my life.

Techniques for Goal Setting:

Set aside time to think about your goals and put them into writing. Review your written to goals to be sure they reflect your true desires -not what others think you should want. Use careful thought and fill your goals with purpose, priorities, and values. Effective goals have the characteristics found in the acronym SMARTER: Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Timelined Enthusiastic Rewarding

Characteristics of Self Employment:

Successful business owners possess considerable expertise in their career field and have broad experience in several others. They have very good verbal and written communication skills and are usually considered very personable. They are positive thinkers, determined, self-disciplined, service oriented and persistent. Successful owners are inventive and follow through with their plans. They respect money. Some advantages of being self-employed are having a potentially flexible schedule, being independent, being your own boss and the possibility of receiving tax advantages. The disadvantages are long hours -usually 10-14 hours per day, six to seven days a week. The two major reasons for failure are mismanagement and undercapitalization.

How to Reduce Stress:

Take the time for your self-care: do stretches, take breaks, do breathing exercises, make adjustments in your body mechanics, use proper equipment, exercise, eat properly, meditate, or do martial arts. Regular exercise is essential for health and a sense of well-being. If you are not already exercising, make this a habit by committing to at least three, 20 minute exercise sessions each week. Keeping balance in mind is the key to stress management. You need to keep things in perspective. Don't react to things that aren't your responsibility. Learn to deal with interruptions: internal and external. learn how to say "no".