Progress, not perfection!
Par Family Councils Ontario
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius
Often when we have an idea, project or need to address in mind we want to accomplish it as quickly as possible. Maybe we are excited about the possible outcomes; maybe we see the need as crucial and pressing; maybe there are external demands we feel we need to fulfill. When we don’t see results or a solution as fast as we’d hoped or anticipated, we can get dismayed, disappointed or frustrated. While normal, this can actually slow down our progress. We can’t move forward if we’re caught up in negativity! Keeping the positive in mind and making realistic goals can go a long way towards success.
A key to achieving a goal is to make sure that it is SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. Let’s use last month’s recruitment goal as an example: your Council wants to recruit 3 new members by September. If it’s September now and you’ve recruited 2 new members, you may not have realized your goal in full but that doesn’t mean that you’ve failed. You can continue working towards your goal but don’t overlook celebrating the success you’ve already achieved! Your Council has two new members, people who have joined your team because they believe in you, the work your Council is doing and your mission to improve the lives of the residents of your Home! This is success. And you can still keep going! Focus on the positives you've acheived to stay upbeat and focused to use the momentum to propel you even further.
Sometimes we succeed quickly, but sometimes it takes longer to achieve a goal. This holds true for us as individuals, but also as groups. Family Councils are no different. We want to achieve great things for our loved ones living in Long-Term Care and can get discouraged by how long it takes to get things done. Keep in mind: Progress, not perfection. Taking longer to achieve your goal that you originally anticipated is not a sign of failure. Continue to work together and remember to show appreciation when things go well & celebrate the small successes along the way. Party hats and cake are optional but highly recommended!