Working at Mah-Kee-Nac
STAFF TRAINING
The Power of Positive Talk | The RAVE System
The Power of Positive Talk
Hello all Mah-Kee-Nac counselors,
In preparation for your job this summer, we are happy to supply you with some thoughts. We are sure you are already dreaming of your days this summer. While thinking about camp, do an exercise that will help you be a success at your job. The following is meant to be fun and informative. Try it out so you're a pro on positive talk by the time you get to camp!
Much of your day will be spent guiding and instructing kids. In order to improve the chances that they will listen to what you are saying, use positive phrasing.
This will convey a message to them in the clearest way possible.
For example, close your eyes and picture a glass of milk. Hold that image for a few seconds before reading on.
Okay, now, close your eyes for a few seconds and don't picture a gorilla. Open your eyes.
What happened? You probably saw both images - the glass of milk and the gorilla. Why?
Your brain does not easily recognize negative commands. Your mind heard what Iwrote and recognized gorilla immediately, but does not process the "don't" part of the command.
Example for camp - "Don't run" - kids will immediately run. Brain focuses on "run", exactly what you don't want the camper to do. Instead, use"walk" to get the behavior that you want from them.
Positive phrasing is telling someone exactly what it is that you want them to do or say.
Try this out for the next month and a half while you are preparing yourself for camp. Use this technique while talking with your family and friends, or while you are at your job. For example, if you are home and you want to stop someone from screaming for you every time the phone is for you, ask them to "please come to my room and knock on the door" rather than you telling them "Don't Scream!". Positive phrasing your request really works!
When we all arrive at camp, we will be ready to talk to one another with positive directions. Practicing this technique now so you are in the habit for camp will help you be a better counselor and allow you to communicate with your campers more efficiently.
The RAVE System
Dear Mah-Kee-Nac Staff,
As you prepare for camp, you are probably thinking about what to pack, who you'll meet and how much fun you will have. You are probablywondering aboutthe kidsand how great a counselor you'll be. Don't worry, the boys will adore you and you may even become their true life hero. Now, to help you accomplish this last part, we have some helpful tips for you to begin thinking about before camp.
Working at camp is very rewarding and at the same time can be very stressful. It is your responsibility to lead your campers in a professional manner - both at activities and in the bunk. How are you going to maintain your professionalism at all times? At Mah-Kee-Nac, we use the RAVE system.
Rituals
Affirmations
Visualization
Energy
Two goals of the RAVE system are to lower your stress on the job and to create a positive work situation.
RITUALS
Rituals are the positive routines that are repeated on purpose. Everyone uses these routines. For example, if you are a person that eats breakfast every morning, this is a routine.
Children prefer structured environment with some choices rather than an unstructured environment or an overly structured environment. They become anxious and stressed without clear boundaries. Using rituals lowers stress because humans are naturally comforted by repetition and are prepared to know what is coming. For example, having a ritual in the bunk for bedtime routines will make putting your campers to bed every night much more pleasurable and smooth.
Rituals lower stress because campers becomes less anxious - rituals smooth the emotional path for the child. Rituals lower stress in you, too, because you are prepared, making it easier to achieve the energy and focus that you need to do a good job.
AFFIRMATIONS
What you say to yourself affects the way you feel. Sensing a negative, you react by becoming stressed - you become less focused when you are worried. Use a positive affirmation to help you relax.
An affirmation is a positive, personal statement to create a relaxed attitude that can be used to regain focus. It helps you feel and do better...guaranteed.
For example, tell yourself that you are going to be a great mentor to your campers this summer. Or, tell yourself that you are going to put your 100% effort into camp this summer.
VISUALIZATION
This is a very natural and powerful tool to build self confidence. 90% of people are visual learners - they learn by watching and seeing pictures. A daydream is a picture in your mind. The difference with a visualization is that you control what you'd like to see. You picture what you'd like to see. You increase your chances of getting what it is you desire, be it success, a sense of calmness, to lower your stress, etc.
In visualization, seeing is believing.
To do a great job of visualizing, start with a simple image and add details and use all five senses.
When you get to camp, we'll do some exercises in visualization together.
ENERGY
When you are stressed, you have a lot of energy that is unfocused. To focus, try simple deep breathing to b ring energy under control.
Try belly breathing - you use the belly muscles. This triggers the nerves in your body that force you to relax. This literally causes relaxation.
Try it - let your belly extend as you breathe in. Let your belly go back in as you exhale slowly. It works every time and will help you to relax.
So...we'd like you to try these techniques out at home or at your current job so you are well prepared when you arrive at camp in a few weeks. We'll be interested in hearing how it works for you! How did the last email go for you - are you using positive phrasing when talking with family and friends? Drop us an email to let us know if you've been able to use positive phrasing and how well it worked!