SEAHO Report - Winter 2022 - 53

FEATURE ARTICLES
such a small or simple act, but it really can turn a bad mood into a good one. I would encourage you not to
skip this part of your meetings, even when you have a lot of business to cover or everyone is tired. Taking the
time to say thank you and share a smile is worth the extra ten minutes. I promise.
It is also essential to truly get to know the staff you are supervising. Once I understand who they are, what
they want to be, and what makes them feel motivated or discouraged, I can then set up individualized plans
to keep them working positively. I recommend an early focus on goal setting so that their job tasks are linked
to their academic/career development. During 1:1 supervision meetings with my staff, I prioritize asking
about progress on set goals and how as a supervisor I can support them to be the best version of themselves.
Knowing their aspirations allows me to have conversations with them that are natural and not forced. They
feel seen and heard by me. I regularly ask my student staff about how they performed on tests or projects
that they casually mentioned to me. They are often shocked that I remembered and cared enough to ask and
follow-up. As student affairs professionals, we need to take the time to make these seemingly small moments
a priority.
College students tend to believe that supervisors are just worried about checking administrative
boxes rather than the potential impact the job may have on their mental and physical health. My students are
my pride and joy. I do what I do because I want to see them succeed - both as aommunity assistants AND as
well-rounded college students.
But the question still remains: how do you personally stay positive when the pandemic seems neverending?
The answer, in my humble opinion, is a straightforward one. When I was spiraling one day, one of
my supervisors pulled me aside and asked me a very simple question: " What can you control? " I had to
force myself to focus not on the suffocating list of problems that even world leaders couldn't solve, but on
those simple items that were fully in my control. Then, I ran through them one by one and made progress.
Achievement and a sense of accomplishment feed my positivity. If I feel I am making a difference for one
person with the work I do, I am happy and fulfilled. I may not be able to personally find a cure for COVID-19,
but I absolutely can get that student the hot lunch they want or help that other student with their roommate
issue. And, I provide that help with a smile and an attitude that clearly shows I am happy to be of assistance.
My day has improved by being helpful and their day is improved by receiving kind service.
Life will always throw us the occasional curveball or serve up a batch of sour lemonade. Sometimes Sonic
closes early, I know I won't always be offered my dream job, and most-upsettingly, I have never received a
rose on The Bachelor. Those things are out of my control. But I can and will control what I do, how I react,
and how I treat others. Stress, anger, and frustration are a natural and healthy part of life. You have to accept
them and give them their time. But, you cannot let them become your whole story. It is vital to have a
conversation with yourself and allow yourself to look positively at the good things going on in your life at the
moment. The current state of the world we live in can be scary and negative, but find strength and happiness
knowing that we are all fighting on the same side in our little nook of positivity here in higher education.
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SEAHO Report - Winter 2022

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