WINNING WAYS

Valuing Us
A survey sent out to a sample of readers included an open question about which concerns they would most like life coach Jo Middlemiss to address in 2009. This second article suggests that feeling valued and raising the profile of the profession are inextricably linked.

hen work is going really well and we are on a roll, it doesnt feel like work at all. Then, as the song Oh what a lovely war jokingly goes, its a shame to take the pay! But, if we are honest with ourselves, perhaps all of us are beset with questions from time to time: When did this profession become just a job for me? What happened to my passion for making a difference? If only I didnt have so much bureaucracy and ignorance to deal with! Ah, then my life would be a better, purer, more productive thing! So what drew you to being a speech and language professional? What sustained you during the hard years of study and the initial tentative months while you were turning from student to competent professional? What is your driver when other professionals dont seem to understand what you do or when the public seems to think that speech and language is confined to stammers and lisps? What keeps you going when the going gets tough? These are the questions which only you can answer. Some will be easy, I am sure, while others will make you stop and ponder. But if you are looking to educate both lay people and professionals as to the value and importance of your work, consider whether any or all of these four interweaving threads are key for you: 1. Passion I was surprised and delighted to hear that bluff old Army Officer, Lord Ramsbotham, talking excitedly in the House of Lords about the incredible value of speech and language professionals in HM Prisons. An unlikely champion you might think, but he was passionate about recidivism and knew that the way out of reoffending for young offenders was the ability to communicate effectively. Once they realise there are other ways to get their message across than violence and crime, life takes on a whole new vista. Suddenly speech and language therapy seems very, very important on many different levels. Bringing the qualities of passion, enthusiasm, love and determination to your work not only shows colleagues from other professions what you are about but demonstrates to you and your clients that it is important. 2. Efficiency Whether working in a multidisciplinary team or by yourself, inefficiency and disorganisation is a drain on your energy. This in turn affects your levels of passion and impact and is therefore counter-productive. Its easier said than done to become more efficient - how I would love that trait to come naturally to me! But changing your mindset is

READ THIS IF YOU WANT TO FEEL VALUED APPRECIATE OTHERS INFORM AND EDUCATE

what changes things. I was working with a client only yesterday who said she was a great starter but a hopeless finisher. This is one of the limiting beliefs that can confuse and control. Nothing is ever truly finished but every second starts and finishes, so we cannot help but be in the paradox of an endless open loop and thousands of little beginnings, middles and endings. A little quote often attributed to Goethe runs, Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it now. Boldness has beauty, power and magic in it. 3. Interest I used to be part of a business organisation and the purpose of it was to help other businesses to grow. We had to organise one-to-one meetings, lasting no longer that an hour, designed specifically to find out about what the others did. This is such a fun way to educate and inform and to get other people working on your behalf. By showing an interest in the other disciplines, you begin to understand where you fit into the picture. This involves making time to find out what other members of the team do and also to explain to them what you do and how you can help each other. If busy people think this time might lighten their load then interest is soon sparked. 4. Being valued If you believe in yourself and your work, it doesnt really matter what other people think. Being valued always starts with how much you value yourself: this can never be replaced by targets or appraisals. Of course we all long for approval and appreciation but these things have to start at home base. Not with big-headedness or boastful chat, but the inner calm that comes with self belief. Dr Wayne Dyer, a writer of note, often quotes Abraham Maslow, that great inventor of the hierarchy of needs. When someone reaches the peak of self-actualisation, they become independent of the good opinion of others.

By valuing yourself and then turning that appreciation outwards, noticing the value of others and commenting on their contribution rather than their lack of it, you start to turn round whole departments. Its a challenge I know, but one that everyone is able for. The Goethe Society of North America website has a fascinating discussion about the little quote I mentioned earlier. A suggested context for it goes like this: Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in ones favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.
Sources Dr Wayne Dyer, visit www.drwaynedyer.com/ The Goethe Society of North America, see www.goethesociety.org/pages/quotescom.html

Jo Middlemiss is a qualified Life Coach who offers readers a confidential complimentary half hour coaching session (for the cost only of your call), tel. 01356 648329. Her book with CD What should I tell you? A Mothers final words to her infant son is now available.

SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPY IN PRACTICE summer 2009

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