From Employee Enhancement: Improving the Lives of BCCS Employees, One Newsletter at a Time in BCCS Staff Newsletter, May 2012
Change is Good.
We’ve all seen this slogan slathered around all things BCCS. When Lynn [Fahey] took over as CEO around 3 years ago, this became the new mantra of BCCS. It is appropriate and timely, given all of the many changes going on in the Behavioral Health Field. Substance Use treatment is shifting to Co-Occurring Treatment. The focus is more on the person and his/her past experiences and how those may have impacted present behavior. This has always been an underlying theme of our work – now it is front and center.
This is our mission and our guiding force, yet are there days when change just doesn’t come easy? Are there moments you wish you could just go with the flow and not do anything new? Do you often wonder where you are going to find the time to complete some of the new expected tasks?
If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, you are most likely not alone. Change is good, yet it is also hard work and at times, uncomfortable. In fact, most change does not occur unless it is outside of our comfort zone.
For our customers, we utilize the Stages of Change model with them. We are all aware of this process and have learned to honor a customer where they are at. Most of us can instantly tell where a customer falls on the continuum after a few moments in a session. We can use this effective tool with ease on our customers to help facilitate progress. We guide and motivate each customer through the barriers to make the change that would most benefit their lives.
However, how many of us have applied this strategy to ourselves? We are all undergoing this Change within BCCS so it makes sense that we all would have our own stage that we are at in the process. It is expected and can be incredibly helpful to assist in the process. Think about this process and where you may fall. Then allow yourself to feel the process and honor where you are at. This could allow you to better embrace change as a whole, not just for the specific tasks. This could shift your thinking and bring more peace and acceptance.
Change is good. This is a completely true and inspiring statement. At the same time, change is uncomfortable, challenging, time consuming, and at times, frustrating. The good news is that these negative attributes to change really only exist in the beginning. Once the change has taken hold, the tension eases and equilibrium is reset. All the aspects that caused discomfort and anxiety become regular parts of your day. You find balance and a new appreciation for the skills you have acquired.
We’re all in this together. Change is good.
Filed under: Addiction/Substance Use, Hope Notes, Mental Illness, Self-Care, Social Work, Strengths Perspective
