Living and Working with Uncertainty
Hello New Orleans! I hope you all are well. I know we are living in a time of uncertainty, but there is one thing we can always be certain of—and that is ourselves. Below are my thoughts on how to support yourself in these uncertain times.
We Can Remember that the New Orleans Job Corps has a Mission and a Purpose:
Even during times of uncertainty, we have a mission and purpose in the work that we do. I am constantly reminded of the great work you do in Job Corps. Ensuring that our young people have an opportunity to learn, grow, and become viable citizens is certainly one of the best jobs in the world. That alone can keep us going if we start to feel a little stressed or anxious. We can keep focused on our mission and our purpose. Our NOJCC mission is to help ALL of our students and ensure they have what they need for an unlimited future. What a great job that is.
We Can Adapt to Change:
We can't relive the past, and we don't know what the future holds. So, the only thing we can do is adapt to the changes in front of us. One of the things that helps us do that is to live up to our values. When our values hold steady during times of change, they become our “ship rudder” that keeps our ship sailing in the right direction. There is a wonderful saying I like to repeat: “You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust the sails.” If we can help each other adjust our sails during times of change, it keeps us all steady and headed toward our destination.
We Can Know that Resilience is the New Normal:
Resilience is needed today more than ever. It is the capacity to withstand or recover quickly when things go wrong. It equates to toughness. I've always believed that to work in Job Corps, you had to be both soft and tough at the same time and know when to be either one. Resilience in our students and in ourselves helps us to achieve our goals and keep going. When things are uncertain, resilience allows us to stay focused, stay motivated, and remain productive in the face of adversity.
We Can Celebrate Small Wins:
By celebrating small wins on Center, we can improve skills such as maintaining focus and staying positive. Both of these can lead to greater self-confidence and self-esteem. Celebrating each small step creates a sense of purpose as you face uncertainty. Make it your intent to celebrate small wins and develop creative ways to celebrate such as a hand-written congratulatory note, a cupcake, a shout-out during lunch, a special recognition during assembly, a Bulldog shirt as a gift, etc.)
Remember in times of uncertainty:
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