project 9

1) It is important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically in order to properly help those who come to us for help. If we do not develop these three aspects of our life then it becomes a blind leading the blind and no one wins. We have to place a higher than normal value on ourselves, we tend to give all the time and disregard our health in order to help others, this will lead to burnout or worse, poor health and then we cannot help those who depend on us for help. We need to develop these areas in order to be able to guide our clients properly (Dacher pg. 81) and let them know what to expect on the journey to better health. We have to care for ourselves in order to care for those who want us to care for them, just like we have to love our self before anyone else can love us. The whole is the sum of its parts and we need to address healing that way, in other words address the whole person.

2) I feel that if I honestly assess myself I would be a C-, just because of the stage in life I am I feel that I am just under fair. I have known for awhile that I needed to pay more attention to myself but my time is usually heavily invested in others, that is just who I am and will always be. This course has shed some better light for myself (dacher pg93) May all individuals gain freedom from suffering. May all individuals find sustained health, happiness, and wholeness. May I assist all individuals in gaining freedom from suffering. May I assist all individuals in finding health, happiness, and wholeness. I have extended each line for my personal use to include me, I want to be part of those groups and then in turn help others to a better self. I feel physically I have let myself slide to a D because I don’t do what I know I need to do until this class and I now I have a plan. Spiritually I feel I have been lost or awhile buit I believe my vision has gotten stronger so spiritually right now a C- and getting better. Mentally without sounding as a braggart has been my strong suit which is a benefit of being a higher education instructor. In order to do my job properly I have to be razor sharp and always two steps ahead of my students, never let students know you don’t know. I pride myself in always being prepared and ahead of the class. I feel mentally I am probably a B- because I know I can be better just have not pushed the envelope as of yet, but willing to start after this class. This class had both a wonderful instructor who has our best interest and our education at heart. Secondly this class has some absolutely wonderful people who have made a huge impact on this person from south central PA.

3) Goals for me, we need to start with mental goals. My mental goal is to continue enhancing what I know and challenge me to demonstrate that knowledge. I am an Instructor so every day I have to meet that challenge or lose my class and I cannot afford to lose that much. My mental goal is to complete 15 hours of continuing education units for massage and fitness along with continuing my Kaplan education which means graduation in fall 2012. It is by continually challenging myself mentally that I can develop enough to pursuit better health, a fuller health. My spiritual goal is to quite simply become active once again in my church so I can go back to feeling connected and calm once again. It worked for my 5 years ago I believe it can work even better now with a fuller conviction to myself. The physical goals are as follows; I will run in a 5k race in May 2010 in Harrisburg; I will add 8 pounds of body weight while reducing body fat content down to 21% by my 50th birthday which is in June 2010. These are two goals which together should get me back to very good physical condition which is the ultimate physical goal.

4) Practices for each area would be as follows; mentally, I have a full schedule of classes here at Kaplan to keep me busy right up to my graduation date. My graduation from Kaplan is proof of accomplishing one goal mentally, that I will continue to expand my knowledge of my profession and to stay ahead of my students. It will mean I have accomplished the bachelor’s degree I have wanted for many years. A sign of commitment and accomplishment. The CEU certificates and the continued national certification are examples of the other part of my mental goals, a commitment to enhancing my occupational education and diversification. These practices will keep me in line with accomplishing the mental goals for me and provide proof of what I know and can do within my profession. My spiritual goals are almost as easy to maintain the course. I have talked with other members of the church and have told them of my goal, they are the ones to call me when I miss a Sunday and remind me of my commitment. The other practice is a solitary one; I am receiving daily scripture readings for myself to read on a daily basis. I have to be accountable to myself and diligently read them each day. It is this self commitment that I pray will make me grow even more mentally by telling my mind we are going to do this because I said so and it is good for me anyway. Physically it is simple, my wife and are convinced I need to get a better grip on my physical health and because of this we made a two part plan to help me physically. First I am using my YMCA membership at least twice a week and working out with my trainer to get me back in the system of training myself. The second part is we just went and purchased a new home gym and we are going to use it together at least twice a week which will get me training at least 4 times a week to start and make the possibility of running that 5k race in May a lot easier. It will also provide the start to reducing body fat and helping to build muscle mass which is the 8 pounds I am looking to gain. This will all take commitment , but then again that’s what this class has been since the beginning. By implementing my strategy from the second part of this answer above, including me, I should be able to stay on track and never look back to my old self just continue to blaze the new and improved DaveNeff.

5) Assessing the outcome of my goals will be easy for two reasons; one I am planning on journaling and blogging my progress. This will involve other people besides me which will promote some accountability. By recording I can monitor how much weight I have gained, how much body fat I have lost. There will be somewhat of a diary as to when and where I lifted weights and did other physical training. We have a sign in sheet in each pew and if my signature is not there they will call me to see if everything is alright with Lori and I. Lori is my wife and by writing these goals down she will be watching and encouraging me to achieve each step. By writing down the above goals I have made a written promise to myself to be better to me for everyone. A small bit of responsibility laid on me by me. It is all about accountability and responsibility to me. By involving others I can accomplish all of my goals. It is all about taking care of everyone including me.