Prevention Leaders: How to Live by Example
I’ll never forget the morning I checked my health status on my Whoop after a bustling day delivering prevention training. It was distressingly shocking.
You may be shaking your head and wondering…
Did Dave run out of energy after the training? Nope! I get energy from connecting with others.
Did he pick up smoking? Never been my thing.
Oh no… He must have relapsed in his sobriety and took that first sip! Absolutely not.
Do you know what caused the unnerving score on my Whoop? The decision to hang out with folks after the event at their bar of choice. Bars are environments FULL of my old patterns and the discipline it took not to partake alone was draining to my mental and physical health.
I’m not one to judge… but you have to admit it’s disheartening and ironic that prevention leaders would choose a bar to debrief at after a prevention training with folks that are in recovery. The good news? I took quite a bit away from this experience (always room to learn, right?). Here’s my advice to those of you struggling with this perpetual, contradictory cycle…
Eliminate the Grey Area
To eliminate the grey area, you have to define it. Trust me, I felt conflicted for a while too even after years in the prevention field! The truth was, my decision to partake in activities I was training others to avoid was causing a justified inner conflict. So I got honest with myself - the grey area was negatively contributing to the culture I was fighting for and knew I had to make drastic changes.
Live by Example
Seem too obvious? It’s so obvious that I think we often miss the mark! However, you must live by example if you truly want to lead by example. Living in integrity means creating the same parameters for yourself as you would for others. I would go so far as to say that you should set the bar so high for yourself that people can’t help but aspire to do the same. Beyond following your own standards around substance use, it’s equally important to live optimally in your health in all areas of life through proper sleep, diet, and exercise.
Remember the Ripple Effect
Similar to living by example, we can use the ripple effect as an accountability strategy. When we were young, we all looked up to someone and - maybe it was a parent, a teacher, or a celebrity. Personally, I looked up to my father. He never drank and continues to live with unwavering integrity and selfless service. Just like you, I mimicked nearly everything he did too. Can you imagine that person you admired grabbing coffee with you and filling your cup with inspiration? What if five minutes later you turn the corner and saw them partaking in the very behavior they suggested you avoid? It may feel like you’ve been lied to your entire life.
Helpful Responses
Here’s the deal: I know you deeply desire to live by example and also recognize (from my own experiences) how challenging that can be. Of course, I am always here to root for you! I also train prevention leaders on how to live optimally.
But, for when you’re inevitably stuck between a rock and hard place, here are a few somewhat playful responses to pull you through:
“I work in substance misuse prevention and want to live by example”
“On a strict diet and alcohol doesn’t fit.”
“I’m already fun enough!”
“I don't need it to enjoy myself.”
“Alcohol never agrees with me.”
“Water is cheaper.”
“Not drinking is a better choice for me.”
Prevention is always better together - here’s to making that happen through positive living, deeper impact, and being the catalyst for change!
Keep Rockin’,
Dave
