Before coming to your training, please do the following:
Associates who maintain their focus during their journey at Deseret Industries will achieve their end goal more easily. The first meeting between a job coach trainer and a new associate can help associates gain that focus from the very start. Effective first meetings require careful planning. However, maintaining a clear focus on your end goal can be difficult at times. By practicing a few basic techniques, you and your associates will be able to maintain a clear focus on what matters most.
From the following list, choose and complete one or more activities that best apply to your situation.
Look at the following image:
Read 1 Corinthians 13:12.
As a group, discuss the following questions:
Discuss this question as a group:
As people respond, write their thoughts on the board.
After brainstorming for a few minutes, narrow the list down, and create one clear statement about focus.
Here are a few examples of clear statements about focus:
Divide into small groups, and share experiences you have had with past associates who had a clear focus throughout their employment or who did not and who faced struggles because of this. Share any lessons you learned while helping the associates.
After sharing your experiences in your groups, come back together to discuss what you learned.
From the following list, choose and complete one or more activities that best apply to your situation. (These activities can build on each other if done in order.)
In your learner’s journal, write down the topics you typically cover during the first meeting with a new associate. Find a partner, and compare your lists.
Divide into small groups. In each group, discuss situations in which an associate you are currently working with is having difficulty maintaining a clear focus on his or her goals. Do not share the associate's name or any other revealing details about the associate. Only share general information. After each group member has explained his or her situation, other group members should suggest some ways to help the associate become more focused on his or her goals. Allow each group member to share a situation.
On the board, draw a vertical line. At the top of the left side, write Obstacles. At the top of the right side, write Solutions.
Discuss the following question:
On the left side of the board, make a list of the group's answers.
Once you have a list of obstacles, discuss the following question:
On the right side of the board, make a list of the group's answers.
When a job coach trainer clearly describes what the Deseret Industries experience will be like, the new associate will know what is expected of him or her. Having that knowledge can help him or her maintain a clear focus.
Seek to identify a personal or business gap or need.
Spend a few minutes silently pondering what you've discussed during this lesson. Listen as the Holy Ghost helps you identify areas where you can improve. Record your impressions in your learner’s journal under the question “What Lack I Yet?”
Seek ways to close the gap or develop the required talent(s) to meet the need.
With the guidance of the Spirit, create your plan of how you will improve and close the gap(s) you have identified. You may use one or more of the exercises below, your own strategy, or a combination of both. Record this plan in your learner’s journal under “What Must I Do?”
After a few minutes, those who are comfortable doing so can share their impressions with the group.
Seek understanding, and then share what you learned.
During the week, focus on implementing the plan you created. Record your impressions or lessons learned in your learner’s journal under “Therefore, What?” You will be given time at the beginning of next week's lesson to share your experience with the group.
