Tag: strategies for success

Child/Youth Self-Empowerment

Posted on by nancyjmacleod

I am working on the development of a Child/Youth Self-Empowerment Workshop.  It will be part of the Goal-Setting Workshop Series.  There is ample research on impact of low self worth amongst children and youth and how it can follow them into adulthood. The causes, sources and road to low self worth can be varied – trauma, abuse, parenting, loss of culture, poverty, etc. The results can range from being under-employed to becoming a victim in society.

But, the good news is- it can be turned around – mentors, programs, support, and education – both formal and informal.  But a workshop is only one experience – how can it spark a thought, emotion or hope that will create an opportunity to move to self-empowerment and a journey that will focus on goals, progress, and the power to define and oneself? That will be part of the plan that is mapped out in this workshop.

Potential will lie dormant without a spark to have it mobilized.  I have seen such potential in the youth I have worked with over the years. It may take the workshop instilling something more powerful than anything that has contributed to the low self-worth.  I think its possible.

I love photos and so I will add my new tree that seems to be coming to life despite its lack of leaves right now.

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Put Economic in Holistic Ed

Posted on by nancyjmacleod

Holistic education often in focuses on academic, social, emotion, physical, cultural and spiritual activities, outcomes, teachings and experiences.  The inclusion of economic, financial,and/or entrepreneurship provides an opportunity for students to gain skills and knowledge that are vital to survival and success. The opportunity to learn using a project-based approach can provide an experience that solidifies learning and confidence in decision making and innovation.  This information is often taught at home to students by parents who understand the value of this knowledge and skills. Having more emphasis in formal education may lead to an increase in success amongst future generations and eliminate the incidence of poverty amongst those who may not have had access to this knowledge about the way the world works in terms of money.

By Nancy Macleod

 

Teaching Youth the Path to Resilience

Posted on by nancyjmacleod

The Steeper Climb has created a new goal setting workshop that includes teaching resourcefulness as part of a strategy. Resourcefulness can be taught as a skill and as a mindset.  Youth can process, interpret and give meaning to this information within the framework of their respective cultures-and then build upon it.  Goals can be individualized or created by a group. The workshop shares tools to support the promotion of self-directed learning so that progress continues beyond the workshop. The use of resourcefulness in goal-setting can build skills and beliefs that support resilience in youth. By Nancy MacLeod

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“I should…..” “I have to…….”

Posted on by nancyjmacleod

Make your lists.  You will always achieve the things you have in the “have to” list.  You will not usually accomplish anything in the “I should” list. Learn more about how to move your “I should”items to your “I have to”list.  The Steeper Climb Self-Reflection and Goal-Setting Workshop facilitates the process.  Contact us for more information:9022175544.

“I have to have a phone.”

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Finding Funding Costs Time

Posted on by nancyjmacleod

There is funding to be found; it takes time and effort but it is attainable. Most organizations can benefit from having a designated person searching for calls for proposals and writing proposals.  Hiring a consultant can work in the interim but a staff person dedicated to building capacity through proposal writing is a stronger approach.  Another thing to remember is the importance of building a coordinator or manager position into all project proposals.  This builds community/organization capacity and ensures there is a designated person responsible for the project.

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7 Ways to Increase Youth Attendance and Retention in School

Posted on by nancyjmacleod
  1. Increase dialogue in classes so that student engagement is real
  2. Offer a holistic program that focuses on the whole person
  3. Offer entrepreneurial programs with hands on experience
  4. Use self-directed learning instead of teacher-centrered
  5. Hold goal-setting workshops that focus on self-reflection
  6. Use project-based activities for learning and evaluation
  7. Limit lectures and have opportunities for experiential learning

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How and Why Self-directed Learning for Youth labelled “at Risk” is Successful

Posted on by nancyjmacleod

1. Youth can choose what they learn based on their interests

2. Interest in a topic creates motivation to learn

3. Flexibility in terms of learning activities provides opportunity for learners to make choices

4. Learners can take ownership over their learning and education

5. The level of engagement in learning increases with self-motivation and the power of choice

6. The use of technology promotes independence in learning in terms of scheduling

7. Self-directed learning can include support and mentorship

8. Self-directing learning can promote short and long term goal setting

9. Self-directed learning is progressive in terms of educational programming

10. Self-directed learning is not dependent on attending a school at a certain time (schedule)

11. The flexibility of self-directed learning removes barriers to education such as travel to school, schedules, and the structured, rule-riddled atmosphere of many schools (institutions).

My School Backpack!
My School Backpack!

Personal Development, Staff Development, Teamwork

Posted on by nancyjmacleod

Can you benefit from a workshop on team-building skills without an opportunity for self-development?  Can you bring anything to the team that is greater than yourself? Many managers look to a 2 day workshop on team-building skills to enhance the productivity, efficiency, etc. of their staff.  And in some cases, it is to increase cooperation and reduce conflict amongst the staff.  The staff of an organization can make or break the organization.  They are the the engine that drives the organization forward, or stalls it, or flips it on its side.  Perhaps personal development is the key, self-reflection, an opportunity to be the best that you can be.  And then you bring the best that you can be to the team.   The schools do not teach us how to be the best that we can be.  Many people are searching and so self-learning has become popular.  The self-help section in the bookstore is growing – the demand is there.  Perhaps we should begin with supporting individuals to be the best that they can be as part of professional development in the work place.  I believe it will more than beneficial.IMG_0621

Random Engagement is Natural – Youth at Risk

Posted on by nancyjmacleod

The programs or projects which provide an opportunity for engagement and interaction have a better chance of success.  The engagement and interaction can include youth decision-making and influence over programming approaches, details, and activities. Youth gain more traction in a program when they can influence the direction of the program or project.  It is a subtle approach to leadership development and engagement with others.  it can not be prescribed or framed in a work plan but it can be an approach based on the principle of the significance of random, natural engagement – and then the project takes on a life of its own.

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What was the most productive team/staff you worked with?

Posted on by nancyjmacleod

Think about your best, most productive team/staff experience.  What defined the team? How many of these factors applied?

– had common goals

– the results were more important than who received the credit

-staff cared about the well-being of each other

-they were friends

-there was humour

– staff worked in and outside their job description

– staff had decision-making power and influence on other decisions

– change was embraced as necessary to meet needs of community

-what the organization was doing was more important than the organization itself

– less rules and more expectations

Is this situation created or does it happen naturally when team members have certain characteristics????

What do you think???