Professional and personal development in Social work

I best express myself in written word which works for me as the best way to capture what I am feeling, reflect as I write, and draw some sort of conclusion at the end of this process. It allows me to process my dreams, hopes, aspirations, frustrations.I have tasted triumph and been induced into righteous rage. Lately, I find myself revisiting the same goals over again, as well as the same challenges, which is frustrating. However, after careful consideration,

On Repeat

I’m a busy guy. I often have ideas that don’t get recorded, written down, or get filed somewhere never to be seen again. Journaling helps me to take a snap-shot of what is going on in my professional, academic, personal, and clinical goals

Why Journal: Cerebral versus Emotional Processing

In one of my final clinical supervisions during the previous school year, one of my sessions was observed by my clinical supervisor. She told me a profound truth that forever changed how I practice life:

You’re too cerebral and you shy away from exploring feelings [paraphrased].

I’m glad she called me out on this behavior. My tech- / left- / organized- / ones-and-zeroes- mind that needs an explanation for everything really has a hard time dwelling on emotions. Expressing myself through words helps me to give myself that explanation I desire, but to also acknowledge and honor my feelings.

Bear in mind that writing is one of many ways you can express yourself.

Personal

• Tell A Story: Document a noteworthy story!
• Family History: What does your family mean to you? How have they influenced you to do the work that you do?
• Vent: About challenges or frustrating situation.
• Needs, Fears, Hopes Dreams: What are they and how will you get there?
• How’s Your Health?: Write about positive changes or ongoing challenges.
• Who’s in your corner?: Reflect on important relationships

Academic

• Why are you in school? How did you get to college/university?
• Who has helped you get this far? Who’s in your corner?
• Write about feelings that come up as a new/green helping professional in new and difficult client situations.
• Celebrate milestones that come up in your field placement, classroom, etc.
• Reflect on challenges that might come up with working with new people (in the classroom, field).
• What are things you like about your mentor(s)? (e.g. professors, field instructors, etc.)? What are things that you would do different?
• Talk about any ethical dilemmas that might come up.
• What do you want to get out of school? What responsibility do you have to yourself to get what you need?

Professional

• How did you end up in this profession?
• Answer an interview question: You know, those hard ones that seem to trip you up in the interview prep?
• Talk about when you had to face an ethical dilemma.
• Reflection on growth: Have you become assertive? Compare old you to new you