No one foresaw the challenges we are currently facing, regardless of preparation through our regular practices. This session will provide insight and perspective from 3 law enforcement professionals on how resilience is trained, implemented, and practiced, particularly in the COVID era. They will provide context on how we prepare, adapt, and recover from the challenges faced in extraordinary times. Blue Courage trainers David Dubois (Strafford County Sheriff’s Office), Ian Edwards (Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission), Jen Hart (San Diego County Probation Department), and Jack Hart (San Francisco Police Department) discuss Resilience in Practice: An Inside Look from Those on the Front Line.
References: HeartMath Institute: heartmath.org
Resilience Advantage Pocket Guide: https://bluecourage.com/product/resilience-pocket-guide/
For Viktor Frankl, meaning/purpose comes from three possible sources; purposeful work, love, and courage in the face of difficulty. Simon Sinek tells us that few organizations know or have discovered their “WHY” – their purpose, their cause or belief. Our “WHY”/ purpose is the reason for being. We will discuss the meaning of purpose and why it is important to stay true to that purpose, especially in moments of uncertainty.#bluecourage #purpose
As National Corrections Officers Week comes to a close, we recognize the great work being done amidst the chaos. Our Corrections Blue Courage team will discuss the strengths of their profession and provide tools for thriving in uncertain times. Listen as our Blue Courage trainers, Assistant Commander Ian Edwards, Captain Al Erwin, and Sergeant Tyler Graham, discuss Highlighting Our Heroes Inside the Walls.
What separates the icons and legends from ordinary performers is the level of depth and rigor of their experience, knowledge and commitment. We must strive to seek knowledge and to challenge the daily practice of the habits of mastery. It is a choice to focus on personal effectiveness – the building of character and competence – with the intent of instilling the habits and rituals of “The Masters.” Blue Courage Master trainers Jack Hart, Michael Nila, and David Dubois explore the path to mastery, even in these times of crisis.
Master Educator Daniel Schmer discusses why laughter is important in happiness and staying positive.
References:
Time Magazine The Science of Laughter
Since the inception of the Covid-19 Virus, we have developed new habits: washing hands, wearing masks, sanitizing anything we touch, no touching others and keeping our distance. All protection from deadly germs. But what about our mental health risks – what is our protection against automatic negative thoughts, sadness, loss, depression?
In times of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, a positive, healthy mental state is our greatest immunity and tool for strengthened resilience. Blue Courage Master Trainers Michael Nila, Jack Hart, and Howard Powers discuss the importance of positivity and simple tips to develop “learned optimism!”
Positive Psychology is the scientific study of what makes life worth living.
The entire premise of Positive Psychology is that we have ultimate control over our well-being. That is, it is not reality that shapes us, but the lens through which we see the world which shapes our reality.
The Happiness Epidemic: A Blue Courage 21 Day Challenge in Positive Psychology Guidebook is available for you to use as a daily tool in shifting your mindset to one of happiness and positivity. The resources page at the end of the guidebook is available for further learning and information about this important topic.
Positive psychology is about saying yes to a healthier and happier life; saying yes to using strengths and talents. This is not always about making big, grandiose changes, although those might be needed at times; it’s about doing the little things that make a big difference over time. Positive psychology is the “how” for sustainable change. If we decided that we need to make changes in our personal and/or professional lives, positivity is HOW to make that change.
Happiness is a state of mind and it is a choice that only you can make. You don’t have to listen to the negativity of family, friends, co-workers, government, your community and/or anyone else to realize your own happiness. In a world that focuses on the negative and what is wrong with the world/us, sometimes we need to be reminded to look for the positive.
Although we are seeking ways to sustain positive well-being and happiness, life does bring with it negativity and negative emotions. It is only human to be down in the dumps at times. We must give ourselves permission to be human, to feel these emotions and take note the impact that they have on our lives. We then must develop resistance to adversity. We must have the courage to be vulnerable.
Your brain in a positive state is 31% more productive than in a negative, neutral, or stressed state. Your intelligence, creativity, and energy level rises. Everything improves!
You can train your brain to be positive. In as little as a 2 minute span of time, done for 21 days in a row, you can actually rewire your brain. By doing these activities – by training our brain like we train our bodies – we can reverse the formula for success and happiness and create ripples of positivity.
Any of these practices can be scaled to fit your circumstances, capacity, time, and tolerance. A best practice is striving to incrementally increase your daily goal as you begin to master each practice, while adapting practices to your ever changing life, situation, and environment. Identifying possible barriers towards positivity help us to navigate and break through these hurdles. Practice self-care and be relentless in overcoming challenges to reach your goals.
Let’s all spread positivity and happiness throughout our families, communities, and the world! However, as with all change, it has to start with “me”!
This session will bring to heart and mind the leadership challenges and Blue Courage lessons that are seen, practiced, and lived by the Blue Courage Master Trainers and real-world practitioners during these uniquely challenging times.
Blue Courage Master Educator Daniel Schmer discusses why we need sleep.
Resources:
Sleep Is Your Superpower (Matt Walker)
Bright Minds, “S” if for Sleep (Dr. Daniel Amen)
Why We Sleep; Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams (Matthew Walker PhD)
Memory Rescue (Dr. Daniel Amen)
Through the use of practical wisdom and resilience, Blue Courage Master Trainers Daniel Schmer and David Dubois will share with you how to make sound decisions that you can live with during these emotional, uncertain and fearful times.