What?![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

I want you to think about the school year during summer?[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

Yes I do.  Just hear me out for a minute. Don’t worry, I still want you to enjoy your summer.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

Summer is a time I always look forward to.  Two months off to relax, regroup, travel and even do a little planning. Did June fly by for you too?[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

However,  just taking a little time now to reflect on what worked for you last year will help you continue that trend. Did some new therapy materials get amazing results? Or did you find a new organization tool? You want to keep that good stuff going.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

Take a moment right now. Close your eyes and think about going back to work. What’s the first thing you think of that fills you with dread? Or that gives you that “oh yuck” feeling? You know, that activity that you wish you could pay someone to do for you?[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

Really, I’m not trying to bring you down. I’m suggesting you take a look at what you can do to make it better.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

I’ve been chatting with a lot of other SLPs this summer.  Here’s a sampling of what some of you said when asked about professional roadblocks:[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

Hands down lack of time and too much paperwork were the biggest obstacles.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

I know it can be overwhelming at times.  So what I’m suggesting is that you take a little bit of your down time, even if you’re just making some mental notes from your beach blanket, to put some systems into place that will make the coming school year run more smoothly.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

During the next few weeks, we will explore some systems and thought processes that will help you free up your time. So you can get your school year running smoothly and spend more time doing what is really important to you…spending time with your students and making a difference in their lives.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

We’ll explore it all from IEP’s to scheduing to progress reports to billing.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

But for now, let’s start off nice and easy with a thought provoking question…[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

What is your why?[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

Think back to why you chose to be an SLP.  Specifically a school based SLP.  What are your top three reasons?  Really think about it and dig deep. Don’t let yourself off the hook with “I don’t know”,  this is important. Are the reasons still the same?  What results do you want? You can do this, it doesn’t need to be perfect; you just need to be clear.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

Here’s my example just to get you started. My top three “why’s” are:[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

(I know that’s more than three, I’m having a tough time narrowing it down.)[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

So here’s your “homework”… figure out your top three reasons for being an SLP. I’ve created a few fun worksheets for you to help get you started, just click on the image below.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

 

Stay tuned for next week, when you’ll figure out how to get more of what you want (from your 3 things list) and remove some of the obstacles.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]

SLP Like a Boss,[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]