Thank you to Pam Nicholson and staff of Manor Care for providing a great meeting!            

Last month’s meeting at Manor Care North Olmsted was inspiring. Pam’s presentation on motivation is something we all can use. This has been a long….hard….. winter and  I know my motivation needed a boost. She shared some inspirational stories that made me remember that one small act of kindness can change someone’s life. “Ah-ha!”     moments were my favorite part of her presentation. I think it's different for everyone.    I think it is that moment while you are newbie to the activity profession when something clicks. You just start to get it and realize your value. That is your "Ah-ha!"       moment. You might not instantly become a master, but from this point forward, there  is no going back.

Because everyone enters the activity field with different backgrounds and under        different circumstances, I think the "Ah-ha!" moment is different for everyone. A true beginner with little experience at all might watch the director and model their self after their director. Are you a great model? A seasoned veteran of the field needs to look for the little things that make the difference in the resident’s lives as well as how to empower their staff. More likely though, it is something much smaller which causes the spark. It is one small little victory, your "Ah-ha!" that feels so good that you are hooked. Activity directors need to celebrate the “Ah-ha!” moments and positively     recognize the “Ah-ha!” moments their staff have, and not be intimidated by them.    Embrace their ideas and let them fly with them. Give them credit and help, someone helped all of us.  If you have “Ah-ha!” moments, I am hoping that you will share! Send me an email and I will share it with the website so we can all celebrate and be inspired by your “Ah-ha!” moments. Kudos to Pam Nicholson for still celebrating the “Ah-ha!” moments after 25+ years of being an Activity Director.

 

Jennifer Krupa, Vice President of NOAAP

 

 

 

 

 

NOAAP exists to ensure high standards of professionalism and resident care, while striving to meet the ever changing needs of the Activity Professional and the lives they touch.  NOAAP provides dynamic leadership, education, promotion, and networking opportunities for fellow Activity Professionals working within the counties of Medina, Lorain, Summit, Cuyahoga, and Geauga

Counties.