The Power Of Being on a Team
Team play was the topic of our Rare Family Dynamics session this week. Being on a team takes skill. Leading a team takes even more skill and as a Raregiver™, you have a team. The first step in leading a team is to anchor into yourself. You need to be on your own team.
Anchoring
Anchoring into yourself needs to become a practice. You might do this by sensing your breath, feeling your feet on the ground, or your seat in the chair. Turn your attention inside.
Discover what supports you to feel connected to yourself, so that you are aligned. Once you are aligned with yourself, get aligned with your family before you go to meet with the professionals. Show up as a united front.
Choose yourself
It takes practice to even know what you need. The first step is to pay attention to yourself. We used this prompt to help clarify what it means to be on our own team.
"I know I am on my own team when I…”
Feel peace
Feel confident
I'm doing an activity I cherish
I'm spending time with friends
Follow my intuition
Stay true to myself
You are invited to explore this prompt on your own.
Trust yourself
One member of our group said that trusting her motherhood has probably saved her child's life many times over. It's super important to trust your instincts and go with your gut. Interrupt the mind of doubt, back yourself up, and be on your own team.
You, me, and us
Being on a team means you have a bird’s eye view. You are aware of yourself, the other person, and who you are together. When you want to relate skillfully to someone, it's useful to look for the subtle cues that they are giving you.
You might notice that someone's words do not match up with what's underneath the words. Listen with your whole self.
Capacity
To be on a team means that you notice people's capacity. If you're going to have a hard conversation, make sure no one is tired. Plan a time to have a family meeting when people are available physically, mentally, and emotionally. You might even give them the agenda ahead of time this way, people will have time to reflect.
Set people up for what is going to happen. Taking time for yourself to get clarity will help you to prepare people for important conversations.
Be patient
Be patient with yourself as you develop your ability to team play. And remember, be on your own team first and lead from there.
Coming Up This Week: Being Seen and Heard
As a rare caregiver, you are the leader of a team of people who support you and your rare family. In this session, we will talk about how to foster healthy relationships with the professionals and other family members who are on your care team. Are you a people pleaser? Is it hard to say the things you really want to say to doctors and others who assist you with your Rare child? We will learn skills for creating rapport including timing, tone, and how to recognize when to share and when to be silent. Assessing your capacity is real. Join us and take your communication skills to the next level.
Join Us
You belong here. Come as you ARE – in your pajamas with unbrushed hair. Your presence is a contribution.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88974713173
We look forward to being with you,
