Written by Barbara Ackerman, Art of Customer Service
“After a workshop, class, or course, I usually feel transformed. I am elated with the new material I have learned, and feel that I am prepared to be a better individual, partner, employee, etc. Two weeks later, I am back in the same rut. What can I do to better assimilate the information?”
This is a familiar refrain. We gain new knowledge and understanding; why don’t/can’t we change as we wish?
If we want to learn to play a musical instrument, we drill the scales over and over, until they become a part of us. We rehearse chords and progress to simple songs, which we play repeatedly until they become a part of us. This type of study is necessary with learning a new sport, language, art form or any other skill.
A quote from Smile Anyway by Richelle E. Goodrich, says: “Do it again. Play it again. Sing it again. Read it again. Write it again. Sketch it again. Rehearse it again. Run it again. Try it again. Because again is practice, and practice is improvement, and improvement only leads to perfection.”
Behavioral or attitude changes such as listening are much more difficult than understanding new knowledge or learning a skill, but attitude change is possible, with determination and hard work.
Any change requires persistent practice. We encourage each participant in our workshops to do one or more of the following:
- Do the homework given
- Find a buddy in the class and arrange regular meetings to review your efforts and remind each other of objectives
- If goals are too overwhelming, break them down into more manageable tasks
- Discuss with your professional or personal partners the efforts needed to effect changes
- Practice the changes at work and/or at home
- Keep a journal of your progress
- Don’t get discouraged; if there are failures, try again.
Be innovative and imaginative in your efforts. Without persistent practice, nothing can or will happen. It may not be easy, but the rewards are great.
Register for Mastering Soft Skills: Conflict Management workshop taking place on November 16, 2017 presented by the Art of Customer Service and practice ways to boost interactions with clients and peers, as well as prevent and manage conflict.