What I love MOST about being an Occupational Therapist

Today I received a phone call from my dear friend and coach, Tawni Janvrin. (Plug for Tawni: If you ever need any business coaching/consulting, she is AMAZING....find her contact information below) In addition to helping her clients maximize their success, she also plans beautiful events.

Anyways....she is putting together a fundraiser for a local organization focused on positive parenting, conscious discipline, and OT strategies for families. I will be a guest panelist. I am so thrilled to support the organization that I LOVE. More details to come....

She asked me such a thought-provoking question:

What do you LOVE most about being an Occupational Therapist?

My first thought was that I love "helping people achieve their goals." And yes, I do love that. But honestly, there are a lot of professionals out there who "help people reach their goals." What sets Occupational Therapists apart from other professionals is our ability to gain an understanding of a client's strengths, needs and priorities after listening to their health and wellness-related stories. I love when clients describe their lives, and we can work together to improve it.

When working with children, I can focus on their most important occupations: SLEEP, EATING, and PLAY. And then consider the family and peer relationships, environments, and contextual factors impacting their daily activities.

When working with adults, I can focus on their most important occupations that are sometimes forgotten about: WORK, EDUCATION, HEALTH MANAGEMENT, BASIC LIVING TASKS, SOCIAL PARTICIPATION, LEISURE ACTIVITIES, and SLEEP. And then consider family and peer relationships, environments, and contextual factors impacting their activities.

BUT THERE IS ANOTHER THING about being an OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST that I LOVE:

I can be super creative and challenged to pivot my career in different directions, as I grow and evolve as a human in all my own roles. This one hits big today.....Because it is my first day working solely as an entrepreneur. (mic drop)

I resigned from my previous position treating children through the public health department. I am so grateful for everything the position offered; flexibility, training, stability, colleagues, and most importantly the therapeutic relationships established with my clients and their families. However, I realized that it is time to move on to pursue a new path.

I am leaning in to growing my business, securing my niche, learning some new methods for practice, and meeting the needs of our community members. I am also leaning in to being present for my own family and supporting my family's engagement in their occupations. Also focusing on finding harmony practicing my own meaningful occupations on a daily basis.

I will post here about my journey in this new and exciting direction. I hope you will join me along the journey.

Here's Tawni's contact info!!!! www.pomegranateconsulting.net

Here's a few photos from the beautiful, spring weekend....Family adventures to find waterfalls, and a lot of baseball. It was a success: