Let It Begin With Me

I went camping last weekend. 

We took a break from gearing up around the start of school, paying attention to social media, news, freaking out about the state of our country and world, thinking about work… 

I read a novel, sat around a campfire with friends and family, ate good food, and slept right through a thunderstorm (and stayed dry!). 

This weekend reminded me that it all begins with me. 

Filling up, staying grounded, staying sane.

A familiar recovery slogan is “Let it begin with me.”

That means it all begins with YOU! The work we do with clients- it starts HERE.

Yes, you. What you do, how you spend your time, what you eat, how you talk to yourself or de-stress. 

We continually have LOTS of opportunities for shifting habits, large or small. And Motivational Interviewing can support our own shifts of habits too!

This week I have a MI handout for you to support self-care (do it for yourself or use it with clients!). 

But first, a little review…

Motivational Interviewing has 4 Processes. 

What are the four processes of Motivational Interviewing?

When we enter into an MI conversation, we first must Engage (you know, unconditional positive regard, curiosity, compassion…), 

Then, we can Focus (what is the topic we are choosing to build motivation for change around?). What do you want to shift or change?

The third process is Evoking (drawing out that intrinsic motivation for change). Why would change be good for you in this moment?

The fourth process is Planning (making a specific change plan to accomplish that goal). 

I bet there are some things you can do for yourself right now.

I invite you to take a few minutes and consider what they are. 

This free Motivational Interviewing handout  (Agenda Mapping) will help you (or your clients!) brainstorm possible changes (I encourage self-care!). Then, move through to making a change plan (Plan It!) around one thing. These handouts are also included as attachments. 

Good luck taking care of YOU.

It’s the best thing you can do for yourself, and everyone around you. 

Motivational Interviewing Tip of the Week: Consider the four processes of Motivational Interviewing: Engaging, Focusing, Evoking and Planning. What is the focus for change? What makes the change important? And how can you go about making that change successfully? MI provides us a pathway to change!

Join my Facebook Group for regular MI tips and my weekly Motivation Mondays live.