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NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
By
Joan E. Thompson |
Plymouth
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What would you
like to change in 2008? Depending on how long your list is,
it may help to understand there are only seven aspects of
our life we can change. Check out how many of them will need
changing to fulfill each of your resolutions.
The seven are: knowledge, skills, behaviors, attitudes,
values, beliefs, situations or conditions.
Perhaps you want to learn another language or a new computer
program. In order to gain the Knowledge of that new subject,
first you’ll need to perform some new Behavior. You will
need to find out where and who offers training in your
selected subject, enroll and attend training sessions and
then practice – practice – practice! With enough good
practice sessions you’ll soon recognize improvement –
changes in your skill-level. As soon as you begin using your
new skills on the job or in a new activity, you will have
changed the Situation both for yourself and for those with
whom you share your new skill.
Applying the Elements of Change as a volunteer can be
especially useful. Consider how many changes may be
necessary to help a child learn to enjoy reading. As a
Volunteer (practice) Reading Partner you work to bring
engaging and enjoyable reading activities to each session.
The more your student enjoys those practice sessions, the
closer he or she gets toward the goal of enjoying to read.
The new behavior of practicing together reinforces the
lessons the teacher gives your student (new knowledge) and
contributes to building the child’s reading-skills.
While you are volunteering, ask yourself, “What am I
changing by performing this task?” Yours may be one among
many tasks required to deliver a needed service, or it may
be the only one needed – such as balancing someone on
unsteady legs who otherwise might fall.
Ask yourself too, how many things need changing to
accomplish your New Year’s resolution. Sort them out. What
must be changed before something else can? Then go about
them one-by-one.
Good luck and Happy New Year! |
About The Author
Joan
Thompson is the Executive Director for Mayflower RSVP, Inc.,
a non-profit organization mobilizing Volunteer Service
Activities in Plymouth County. She has directed RSVP’s
Retired & Senior Volunteer Program for nearly 30 years,
working with 200 public/private, health, human service, and
educational organizations to provide meaningful volunteer
service opportunities for members in the RSVP program. She
may be contacted at RSVP’s Plymouth County headquarters,
(508) 746-7787 or via email at
MayflowerRSVP@Verizon.net.
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