The New Social Worker Vol. 20, No. 2, Spring 2013 | Page 15

her MSW degree after receiving a master’s in a related field and gaining several years of practice experience. She, and others I’ve spoken with who did the same, uniformly say they didn’t realize how much they didn’t know until after completing their social work degrees. On a smaller scale, the same can be true in your professional continuing education experiences. • • Embracing the challenge of required CE can promote growth, humility and flexibility. Similar to a 12-step program, acknowledgment (self-awareness) is the first step. The similarities stop with the next step; you are not powerless to control your attitude. • content/speaker, or did you resent being there? Did you “suffer in silence” or might you have disturbed those around you in any way? • Exploring sources of resentment, anger, fear, and guilt in your life can lead to a greater understanding of who you are and why you react the way you do. • Most of us would have to admit that this isn’t the only area of our lives in which we exhibit self-defeating behavior. Mustering the energy to tackle your attitude toward required CE might just establish the successful track record you’ve needed to confront other selfimprovement projects! Can you change your outlook on life? Yes! So, why wait? As a wise person once said, “There must be a better way to go through life than kicking and screaming all the way.” If you can do so without reacting angrily or sinking into depression (or both!), try asking your friends and colleagues for an honest assessment of their impressions about your attitude. • Be honest with yourself. Have you ever been surprised by what you learned at a CE event? At the last event you attended, what might you • have done differently to get the most out of the experience? Pay particular attention to your behaviors. If you were inattentive or bored, 3/28/13 10:02 AM NSW2013NewPrograms_Layout 1 was it the Sam Hickman, MSW, LCSW, ACSW, has since 1985 served as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Social Workers, West Virginia Chapter, which organizes the nation’s largest NASW Chapter annual conference with more than 1,500 participants. Hickman and his partner-in-life, Elizabeth Kent, MSW, LICSW, began the annual Spring Conference series together in 1985 following the passage of the state’s social work licensing act, which mandated 50 hours of professional continuing education every two years for renewal of license. Use positive language when you speak of subjects that are difficult for you. When you find yourself embroiled in negative thoughts, interrupt the negativity by replacing it with positive thoughts. Use proven brief therapy techniques such as Motivational Interviewing or Energy Tapping on yourself or ask someone to help you. Page 1 MASTERS OF SOCIAL WORK • CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE • MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING Fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education Convenient evening and weekend course work for the adult learner Locations: Dallas Mansfield DuBois Harrisburg Poconos NEW! Schuylkill Co. Huntingdon York NEW! Lancaster For more information and a complete list of programs offered at Temple University Harrisburg, call 717-232-6400 or 1-866-769-1860 (toll-free), email us at [email protected] or visit our website at www.temple.edu/harrisburg LEARN. LEAD. INSPIRE. The New Social Worker Spring 2013 13