I am hoping you will help me write this article!
Early this week I attended the Oregon Health Care Association Annual Convention in Portland. My specific task was to represent Vigil Health Solutions at the trade show. It is a really positive convention because there are many Oregon senior housing communities that have and love the Vigil System. They have consistently found that the system both effectively protects their residents and improves their competitive position in the marketplace.
I am hoping you will help me write this article! Early this week I attended the Oregon Health Care Association Annual Convention in Portland. My specific task was to represent Vigil Health Solutions at the trade show. It is a really positive convention because there are many Oregon senior housing communities that have and love the Vigil System. They have consistently found that the system both effectively protects their residents and improves their competitive position in the marketplace.
I know that many people, particularly vendors, dread trade shows but I am just the opposite. I really love conventions and trade shows. It is an opportunity see old friends, make new friends and, in many cases, meet people who have only been internet friends for the first time face-to-face. Finally, I really enjoy being able to attend both the general and breakout sessions. While I have attended a few duds, most of the sessions are pretty good to great, offering new information or inspiration that allows me to do a better job as a blogger and representative for Vigil. Monday’s lunchtime keynote speaker was Greg Bell author of the book, “Water The Bamboo”. The book helps “individuals and teams refocus on their core values and mission to achieve long-term success.”
In Greg’s opening remarks he asked this question:
What is going well in your life right now?
He then encouraged the audience to spend a few minutes sharing with their neighbor one or two things that are going well in their lives. I went to work making my own mental list and it was refreshing and uplifting. I was actually surprised at how long the list was. It got me to thinking that pretty much no matter what challenges I am facing in my life at any given time, there are specific things in my life that are going well.
So here is my challenge to you:
1. In the comments section, share something that is going well in your life.
2. Ask your staff or colleagues what is going well in their life and share it here.
I am pretty well convinced that, if you started every meeting, stand-up or otherwise, with that single question “What is going well in your life?”, it would set positive, forwarding leaning tone for the rest of the meeting. So . . . . What is going well in your life?
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Finally: If you know anyone who is looking at emergency call systems I would appreciate the opportunity to talk with them about Vigil Health Solutions.
I love this post Steve! It is not only a great way to start the day on a positive note but also, as I read this in bed, a great way to end it! I am personally grateful that my father got good health news this week when I was dreading the worse. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks to you both Steve and Denise. It is a great idea to at the very least start our day and end our day thinking about and reflecting on the many things that we have to be thankful of in our lives. This takes it a step future by getting others involved in this positive process and setting a tone of thankfulness, as well as, lightening the mood when things have a tendency to get tense. I would venture to say for most of us, that even on our worst days we have more to be thankful for than not. This morning I am thankful for my health, my family, my happiness, and the great opportunity I have to do something I love for a career…..It really doesn’t get much better!!
Thanks for the great idea. I am especially greatful for my wonderful husband who does so much for me everyday and let’s me know how much he loves me everyday. I am a lucky lady.
I too, LOVE this concept of pausing to reflect on Positive things in our life! Ironically, I echo some of the above comments. I am blessed to have a fabulous husband who is my partner in life and business and is such a bright spot in my life. Plus, I also have a father, who had a tough year due to a drug induced dementia (thanks to over-medication in the hospital setting) However, the news is much better now – and I’ll be visiting him this week (as I’m a long distance care supporter) And, am thrilled to give him (and my mom)the hugs & kisses they certainly deserve!
Steve – this is one of those obvious things that someone has to bring to your attention! I have long used a “gratitude list” to recognize all the positives for me personally, but did not think to start out a meeting with it when leading a team. That’s a great idea, and I have written it down to give it a try.
How terrific it would be if all leaders followed up with asking their colleagues, staff, or teams “What is going well with our residence; organization; company, etc.” to set a positive tonality for meetings/strategy sessions/etc. among all attendees…Jackie Pinkowitz, Board Chair, CCAL-Advancing Person-Centered Living
Life does get better with age. I have found my self creating a life style that gives me grace purpose and joy. As a result I have been able to live a more healthy life style, follow my passion, give to my community and family and be better person. So life after 65 offers much to those of us now called senior citizens.
I would love to see the senior communities leave behind the present approach to senior living that mirrors LTC facilities and open the doors to new creative communities. I wish I had that magic mirror to show the answers, but I don’t. So keep on listening to what seniors love about their lives before going into communities and bring that to the communities of the future.
Today I have to be grateful for my health, to be able to serve the seniors and make them feel like life is real good. If we could meet each new day, each new person, each new experience, as though it were the first, our lives could be touched by the excitement and discovery of adventure.
I am starting a new and very exciting job Monday and I plan to use this as a platform for not only getting to know my new co-workers, but as a training tool. What a simply fantastic way to deal with the otherwise negative aspects of daily life. We get what we give!
From LinkedIn Groups
Group: ALFA – Assisted Living Federation of America
Discussion: What is Going Well?
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the opportunity to share what is going well with us. Two years ago I started the company CareMerge because I couldn’t get updates on my mom who was living far away from me with major health problems. My mom is doing great now!
And things couldn’t be any better at CareMerge. We have developed mobile and web apps for community staff and administrators so they are not only in touch with what’s going on amongst themselves but now, for the first time, are able to exchange critical information with off-site decision makers (physicians, home healthcare, and most importantly families) so everyone is in the loop and be able to make timely care decisions for the residents.
No more leaving voicemails and sending/receiving faxes – its a wonderful world!
http://www.caremerge.com
CareMerge also recently won the “Most Innovative Company 2012” award in long term care by LTCLINK and InnovateLTC. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR3HRCO6CQM
Posted by Asif Khan
From LinkedIn Groups
Group: ALFA – Assisted Living Federation of America
Discussion: What is Going Well?
Steve, it was great to meet you at the trade show and learn about Vigil. I thought Greg’s presentation was great- even if a simple reminder to bring your focus back to something positive for a brief moment. What is going well for me right now: I just had a community hit 100% occupancy that hasn’t been there in one year!!!
Posted by Amira Fahoum
From LinkedIn Groups
Group: ALFA – Assisted Living Federation of America
Discussion: What is Going Well?
Steve,
Personally, my wife and I became grandparents for the first and second time within six days – a girl and a boy.
Professionally, the average occupancy rate for the senior living and assisted living communities that BMA manages continues to climb. We operate 35 communities housing nearly 3,200 homes and apartments and average occupancy has climbed steadily this year to just under 96%. We are getting ready to open our first community in Lake County, Illinois, and our first affordable memory care community this month.
Posted by Rick Banas