Lessons Learned From Crossword Puzzles 1 ANN MERRIFIELD, KAISER GROUP MAWD CONFERENCE 2012 2 1
6/28/12 Icebreaker 3 Find your matching puzzle pieces and put your puzzle together Answer the following question: What were the steps you took to put your puzzle together? What are your biggest challenges with solving problems? 4 2
Problem Solving Steps 1. Define and Identify the Problem 2. Analyze the Problem 3. Identify Possible Solutions 4. Select or Determine the Best Solution 5. Evaluate Solutions 6. Develop an Action/Contingency Plan 7. Implement the Solution 5 Crossword Puzzles 6 1. The Sunday paper is here! I m going to do the crossword puzzle! 2. What s theme of this week s puzzle? Is it rated easy, medium or hard? 3. I solve the easy and known words first. 4. Avoid distractions. Take your time. Don t get stuck on one. Leave it and come back to it. 5. Does the word fit and make sense? Does it fit with other words around it? 6. Do I need a dictionary? Can I ask a friend? Did I use a pencil? 7. Check answers with the answer key. 3
Jigsaw Puzzles 1. It s Christmas and we re going to do a jigsaw puzzle! 2. How many pieces? Are there specific colors? People? Scenery? 3. I start with the side pieces my nephew John looks for themes. My daughter just finds ones that fit. 4. Does this piece fit? 5. If it doesn t what do I do? No, don t try to pound it in! 6. Divide and conquer each of us take a different part. 7. Does the picture look like what s on the box? 7 Problem Solving Steps 1. Define and Identify the Problem 2. Analyze the Problem 3. Identify Possible Solutions 4. Select or Determine the Best Solution 5. Evaluate Solutions 6. Develop an Action/Contingency Plan 7. Implement the Solution 8 4
6/28/12 Problem Solving 9 Have a contingency plan Use hard data, like statistics Use soft data, like attitudes Agree on possible solutions and the desired outcome Set a target for completion Use criteria and facts to evaluate your solution Understand the meaning Don t jump to conclusions Respect others autonomy Have a limited scope Use moral principles (don t harm, be fair, don t hide the last piece!!!!!!!!!!) Why Do We Do Puzzles? 10 5
I feel stressed: Most of the time Often Occasionally Rarely Almost never Stress Management 11 How Can You Tell You re Stressed? 12 6
How Do You Respond to Stress? Anger Tears Emotional outburst Shortness of temper Depression Suspiciousness Anxiety 13 Preoccupation Forgetfulness Errors in speech or perception Diminished productivity Trouble with concentration Self-destructive behaviors Recognizing & Adapting to Stress The first step towards adapting is to recognize your stressors. What are yours? How do you deal with stress? Physically? Psychologically? Behaviorally? How would your family and/or friends say you deal with stress? 14 7
15 It is not the stressors which will make you stressed, it is your reactions to them! You have choices! Interventions Be clear about your goals Breathe! Count to 10 Visualize Stretch Keep family pictures handy 16 8
Six Steps to Successfully Sideline Stress 1. Attention to health 2. Realistic expectations 3. Effective use of time 4. Learn to welcome change 5. Be positive and use self-talk 6. Build relationships 17 Time Management Is this item both important and urgent? What can I leave until tomorrow? What is my time worth? What is worth my time? Is this the best use of my time NOW? Which activity contributes the most to my goals? What level of attention does this task need? Can I delegate to someone that could do it better? Does it really need to be done? 18 9
Time Management 19 Time Management 20 10
Regulate e-mail Batch telephone calls Just say NO Have a Plan B Other Tips 21 Communication 22 11
Body Language Tone of Voice Words Empathy Active Listening Basic Communication Skills 23 Basic Communication Skills 24 Tone of Voice 38% Words 7% Body Language 55% 12
Tone of Voice Tone of Voice, Inflection, Volume, Pitch 25 Empathy 26 13
Active Listening This involves reflecting back the feelings and the situation that you believe the other person is experiencing, to check that you have understood them correctly. 27 Communication Strategies Maintain or enhance self-esteem Listen and respond with empathy Ask for help and encourage involvement Share thoughts, feelings and rationale Provide support without removing responsibility 28 14
29 Ann Merrifield 573-864-1839 amerrifield@dwfs.us You can t be brave if you ve only had wonderful things happen to you. Mary Tyler Moore 15