Tips & Techniques
We spend the most amount of time in The Mandt System looking at ourselves and the impact our behavior has on those in support. Managing one’s self is not always easy. Outside factors are constantly influencing our stress levels and working conditions that are out of our control at time increase them as well. Victor Frankel in 1963 said, “That which is to give light, must endure burning.” We must learn how to endure the burning with out burning out. Below are just a handful of things to think about that will help us better self-manage.
1. Do occasional stress checks. Be self aware of your body. Though out the day just stop and look at the following areas of your body to determine if you are experiencing stress. Most of the time stress creeps up on us before we know it. Do occasional self checks of the following:
• Muscle Tension
• Temperature
• Nervous Sweating
• Rapid Pulse Rate
• How’s Your Breathing?
2. Get in the drivers seat! Emotionally healthy people tend to have a high degree of control over their life. We often discuss options that are self reinforcing at a baseline level for those in support but what are yours? Here are some things to consider.
• Go for a walk.
• Spend time in nature.
• Talk to a supportive friend.
• Sweat out tension with a good workout.
• Write in your journal.
• Take a long bath.
• Play with a pet.
• Work in your garden.
• Get a massage.
• Curl up with a good book.
• Take a yoga class.
• Listen to music.
• Watch a comedy.
3. Become a Kookaburra! Kookaburra is an Australian bird known for their deep laughing sound. When was the last time you had a good, belly-wrenching laugh? When’s the last time you looked at the funnies? Find those things that put a smile on your face and a laugh in your belly and spend some time each day with them.
4. Don’t Strangle Yourself! Worry comes from the Anglo-Saxon word meaning to strangle or choke. Worry restricts your ability to think and act effectively. Old saying goes “ It ain’t no use putting up the umbrella until it rains.” Don’t spend time being chocked by your stress…
AA prayer: God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
5. Build a Buddy System! Focus on building quality relationships. Give up judging, criticizing, holding grudges, unnecessary competition and the like. Earn your neighbors love. This is Mandt 101…Building Healthy Relationships!
6. See Streams in the Desert! Concentrate on the positive. Develop enthusiasm. See something good in every experience you have. Keep life in perspective. If you want to enjoy the things of life you have to plan and then passionately pursue!!
I stated in the first paragraph a quote from Viktor Frankl, “That which is to give light must endure burning”. Here is another truth…that which endures burning gives the brightest light! Human service workers, educators, parents, health care workers must shine their light to truly support those in care but we walk a dangerous road of burning out. By following the above tips you can hopefully burn and shine your light on others without burning out!
Tim Geels
Director of Organizational Instruction
