Introduction – This quote (the
title of this exercise) has always been a favorite of Taking the Escalator
because it really defines and outlines how the change process takes place. We
need to get started, utilize whatever we have at our disposal and then make an
effort to do what we can do, just as it says in the quote. Following this
simple plan can really empower and motivate us to achieve our goals with just a
little time and effort at first. This exercise breaks down this amazing quote
into three phases that can strengthen the change process and help us make
progress with substance use and coexisting mental health issues and any other
related life goals
*Note
for counselor/group leader – There is a lot of material here so depending
on the length and depth of discussion you may consider breaking up the sections
if there is a lot of discussion
Part 1 – Start Where
You Are
Read:
Why
“Start Where Your Are”? – What’s the point? – The point is that we have to
start somewhere and what better place to start than where we are right now.
Otherwise, waiting for the perfect opportunity may never come.
Discussion – “Oriented x3”
Did
you know that when assessing someone’s “mental status”, one basic clinical
assessment is to make sure that the person being assessed is oriented to Time,
Place and Person?
Ø Time – The person knows what date and time it is
Ø Place – The person knows where they are right now
Ø Person – The person knows their name and who they are
Using
this basic assessment, as a group discuss how to “Start Where You Are”
Discuss
the following:
Time
– What
“time’ is in in your life? In other words, make a statement about what stage
you are at chronologically and related to your own self-assessment of maturity
level today.
Ø For example – “Right
now I am in my early 30’s, new in recovery, struggling with a lifelong anxiety
and a substance use disorder, doing my best to stay employed and take care of
my family and resolve my legal issues at this stage of my life”
Follow
Up Question
– How can the concept of “I’ll start tomorrow” be a trap that can hurt progress?
– Why is NOW the best time to get started in changing your life for the better
(or if you have already started, why keep going NOW)
Place – Where are you living
right now and where do you want to be?
Ø Example – “Right now I
am living in a boarding home which I am not too happy about, but I see myself
staying away from drugs and eventually getting my own apartment at some point
Follow
Up Question
– Even if a person is living in a negative environment where change may be
challenging, why is it still worth it to try to “start where you are”
anyway?
Person – In a one or two
sentence statement, try to answer the question: “Who am I today?”
Ø
Today, I am….
Follow
Up Question 1
– Life is best lived as a constant process of growth for everyone. Therefore,
there is nothing wrong with feeling like you are not fully yet the person whom
you want to be. Everyone can make improvements. With that said in a sentence or
two discuss: Who do I want to be?
Follow
Up Question 2 -
It is better to start now even if we are not yet the person whom we want to be.
Why can waiting be a problem? (For example: Imagine someone with a substance
use problem saying – “I’ll stop using drugs once I become employed and learn to
manage my anger first, then I’ll quit”)
Part 2 – Use What You
Have
Read: For this section
everyone will do a self-assessment of what they have. Be open minded about your
strengths as just about anything can somehow be useful in the change and
recovery process.
For
example, someone may identify one of their natural abilities to be having a good
sense of humor. Someone may then question: “How can a sense of humor help me in
recovery?” The truth is that having a sense of humor can be extremely helpful.
For instance, there is solid research shows that laughter lowers stress,
improves mood and even helps relieve pain. All of these benefit the recovery
and positive change process
Try to
identify a few things about yourself for each area below. Examples provided to
help
Qualities
and Natural Abilities
– (For example: I am… Smart, determined, a good listener, patient, friendly,
good at carpentry, strong, a good parent, understanding, open-minded, creative,
good at guitar, etc.) – List your own:
Learned
Skills
(Example – “I now know how to manage stress effectively” or “I can manage
cravings”) – List your own:
Supports
and Resources
(Example: “I have a case manager who is helping me” or “My parents live close by,
and they are there for me when I need someone” or “I own my own home which is a
resource” List your own:
Other (Anything that you
have that is helpful that was not already mentioned) – List below:
Closing
Question
– How can you personally “Use What You Have” to make progress and
achieve your goals?
Part 3 – “Do What You
Can”
Read – So now you’ve
assessed and discussed starting where you are and using what you have but now
comes the most important part: Doing what you can. The first two parts of this
exercise don’t matter as much if we don’t take action to make positive changes
and actively strive toward our goals
Discuss
the following: Even if you are not yet where you want to be and who you want to
be, what are some things you can start doing today to make positive change
happen in your life? Try to list at least five “concrete” things you can do.
(What is meant by “concrete” these things are realistic and tangible rather
than abstract)
Examples
Ø “I can start being a better person today” – Although this sounds great, it is too abstract and difficult to define and measure. A more concrete version of this could be something like:
Ø ‘I am going to work on managing my anger and learn to speak in a calmer, nicer way with other people even when I am annoyed or upset so I will get into fewer fights and arguments” – This is much more specific, personal, realistic, and measurable
To
close out this exercise: Come up with some concrete ways that you are going to
“Do What You Can” to achieve your goals:
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