Well it is officially time for back to school. Chime in the moans and complaints from the kids, and the fireworks and celebrations of the parents.
A Fresh Start
There are many good aspects to back to school that easily carry over to everyday life. The first day of school is a new beginning, a fresh start, a chance to start over.
We need to carry that feeling over to other aspects of our lives. We sometimes need a fresh start, a start over, a try it again. This concept does not need to be based on just a time of year, but practiced frequently.
If we do not push ourselves to be better there are no chances taken or failures learned from. Most leadership speakers and authors frequently cite failures as almost more important than success to make a meaningful difference. You can learn much more from trying and failing then by instant success. This is possible through the idea of a fresh start and a redo right after the lesson from the failure.
Progression and Change
The beginning of the school year is a step of progression and change. As we grow up we progress through each grade level. This phenomenon helps us to learn to grow, deal with change and adapt to our world.
This is a valuable lesson in all aspects of life. One of the common biggest stressors for most people is change. Change is actually a good thing. Those that do not change and adapt get left behind and passed over.
Life is full of changes. Changing houses, jobs, cars, companies. These are just some of the possibilities of change we must deal with effectively. Sometimes a change can be just as simple as a schedule change. Without growing and adapting we cannot be successful after any change.
Routine
One frequently mentioned great part of back to school is the return to a routine. Sometimes summertime can be chaotic with the lack of routine and discipline. It allows the whole family unit to get back to running like a machine.
Routine can be a very effective tool for our lives. Another way at looking at routine is a habit. Creating a routine or a habit can be very beneficial for us. Working out, reading, attending church services, volunteering can all be established by creating a routine or habit. By starting an activity and doing it on a consistent and scheduled manor can help us to make a change and hold ourselves accountable to keep up the new routine.
Learning
One of the best habits to get into is to try and learn something new every day. It could be a simple fact or a progression to learning a new skill or establish a talent.
Learning helps us to grow and change. It challenges our brains to keep them sharp. This is true regardless of the stage of life you are in. Our brains are like any other part of our body….if you don’t use it you lose it.
Teaching
Another aspect of back to school is from the teacher’s perspective. The return to teaching. The ability to make a permanent change in someone for the better. As a teacher you have the ability to make positive change and help someone to grow.
This is also true outside of the school setting. Anyone can teach something they know. It is a way to pass on knowledge or skills attained to another person or generation.
The therapy world
Therapy in the skilled nursing world as well as all settings of care utilize all these aspects. Through the use of these ideas, therapists make a change in an individual.
“A fresh start” happens on a daily basis. Regardless of how yesterday ( or the previous) session of therapy went, we get to start fresh again to try and get better. Yes there is carryover from day to day, but each day brings a fresh start. It is a chance to learn from certain “failures” such as forgetting safety steps or poor body mechanics. We can restart and learn again.
“Progression and Change” occurs almost on a daily basis with the right therapist. We are constantly striving for a progression or a change towards a goal. It could be further walking distance or needing less help to get up from a chair.
“Routine” occurs with a regular schedule of participation. The establishment of a habit of consistent working and pushing to something better. Hopefully we can establish enough of a routine of regular exercise that it continues well past discharge and improves one’s life.
“Learning” happens for us both through trial and error of treatment sessions as well as learning through continuing education or from learning from coworkers who might have different experience.
“Teaching” stems from us adapting patters of behavior of our residents to learn body mechanics as well as learn improved safety.
So embrace the time
Enjoy this time of year and remember to embrace all that we can from it. We need to follow our calling and make a change. Embrace the aspects of back to school, before you know it we will be looking at summer time again!
