I recently returned from a little trip to Orlando, where I attended one of the largest Speech-Language Pathology conventions in the world hosted by ASHA (American Speech and Hearing Association). As an added perk to the trip, I managed to convince my "little" sis to meet me for some solid sister time in the happiest place on Earth. Overall, it was a fantastic trip!
The convention was overwhelming, to say the least. There were about 15, 000 Speech-Language Pathologists in 7,000,000 square feet (that's like the size of the island that I live on!) I have never been amongst so many scarves (North American SLP's), pearls (UK SLP's), and type A personalities (ALL SLP's) in my life. We are definitely an identifiable group! It was nice to be around so many like-minded professionals from around the world and I did learn a lot about the latest research, new therapy techniques, and also about myself. Firstly, I learned that I do actually still know a lot. I worry sometimes that working as a speech path on a tiny island might result in an erosion of my speechie skills, but I was also relieved to find out, through many different seminars, that I am doing many of the "right" things with my kiddos. I also learned that I have chilled out a lot since moving to this island. After observing so many of my perfectionist counterparts who appear to be tightly wound, eagerly rushing and stressing about the time and location of each seminar, it occurred to me that both my mind and body now move at a much slower, relaxed pace. After six years, I think that I have officially acclimatized to island time. Whooo! I did it! haha.
Now the convention was fun, but the real fun was hanging with my sister, Kayla! We were both busy during the days, but managed to get out in the evenings. We saw Orlando from 400 feet on the Orlando Eye where Kayla introduced me to a very lovely refreshing beverage called White Claw (sponsor us!) We also spent an evening in the piano bar at Universal City Walk, where we sang our little hearts out for a few hours. When the entertainer urged the crowd to insert the name of our hometowns in "Sweet Home Alabama," we were shocked to hear the table behind us shout "Moose Jaw!" (a city in Saskatchewan!). Needless to say, we made some friends and had a super fun night!
The highlight of the trip was our day at Universal Studios. Funny enough, Kayla and I had been to Universal together nearly 20 years ago! I still have vivid memories of little 5 year old Kayla (I think the only time she was shorter than me) crying while I tried desperately to convince her that Jaws was not a real shark. Anyway, it was way more fun 20 years later and we never waited more than 25 minutes to get on a ride. Hallelujah! A few of the attractions were a little more "advanced" than we anticipated. The "Mummy," for example, was a roller coaster in complete darkness that had the audacity of traveling backwards! After screaming non-stop for 2 minutes (felt like 15), we exited the ride in absolute terror, shocked that they allowed small children and island-dwelling middle-aged women who are overstimulated by escalators on this ride!
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| Traumatized |
We drank butter beer with Harry Potter, ate the "big pink" ginormous donut with the Simpsons, and managed to hit up every single ride (minus the giant scary roller coaster) in the park. Our day ended with an absolutely incredible Macy's Christmas parade, and we left Universal feeling fulfilled and joyful. Our senses had been overloaded to the max - but in a really great way.
This feeling got me thinking about the principles of Universal Studios, and how we can apply these to our own lives - you know, to increase our overall level of happiness.
Here's what I got:
1) Line? What line?
Universal does an excellent job of concealing lines. Think about it - when you see a line of hundreds of people winding around a building, feelings of stress, agitation, and hopelessness are evoked. Well Universal has created "holding rooms" for the patrons to eliminate this stress. You might think that you've reached the end of the line as you enter a room with gadgets on the walls to tinker with, and multiple screens projecting your "mission", but in fact, you are actually still in line. They have tricked you by changing the scenery, and provided you with new things to see and touch. And you know what? We fall for it.
My Proposal
Install holding rooms in places with the longest lines. Picture it: you walk into the DMV, where you would normally expect to wait in a long line for up to 2 hours. However, someone greets you enthusiastically at the door and escorts you into a room with horns, levers, and switches on the wall for you to play with. A TV plays an exciting car racing documentary narrated by Dwayne Johnson. Going to the DMV is fun!
2) Thumbs Up and Clapping
As your seat belt buckles and your ride is about to begin, each and every Universal Studios employee on each and every ride in the park enthusiastically gives you the "thumbs up" to signal that life is about to get really fricken great. As your ride comes to an end, the employees eagerly clap for you. You've done it! You've saved the world/brought ET home/killed all the aliens. You are a success story! You feel awesome!
My Proposal
Obviously we need to incorporate the thumbs up-clapping dyad into our working world! I can picture it already: I'm walking little Dreasean to speech therapy. I pass the year 3 Teacher who eagerly gives me a thumbs up. As we walk past the library, the Librarian signals her thumbs up through the window. I can do this! This is going to be great! On the way back from speech therapy, all Teaching Staff line the corridor, clapping enthusiastically for our successful speech therapy session. Brilliant!
3) Adrenaline rush
I must say, I have never free-fallen off of skyscrapers, been rocketed into outer space, been plunged into the ocean, or saved the world so many times in one day. You walk out of Universal studios on an incredible adrenaline rush. Although it really is too much to stimulation to experience in 8 hours, it made me think that I do really need a bit more adrenaline rushing through my veins on a regular basis.
My proposal
Every day at lunch time, find a few coworkers (preferable ones who like you) and participate in a trust fall. You know, you close your eyes and fall backwards and hope that they catch you. This should result in a quick jolt of adrenaline and increase feelings of trust and loyalty with your coworkers (unless they don't catch you, in which case, it's time to find a new job).
4) Costumes are cool
As I wandered around the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I was surprised to see so many adults donning wizard robes and flicking magic wands with big stupid smiles on their faces. Where and when else will it be appropriate for a grown man to dress like his favourite character from a children's book? I couldn't help but feel a little sad for these adults who spent at least a few hundred bucks for the thrill of dressing like a fictional character for 1 day. What about the other 364 days?
My Proposal
Let's change "Casual Friday" to "Costume Friday. " 'Nuff said.
5) Always stay in Character
When you work at Universal Studios, it is apparent to me that you must remain in character at all times. Whether you are an MIB secret alien agent, a mechanic for the Fast and Furious, or a minion on roller skates, it is vital that you never break character. It really does add to the authenticity of the attraction.
My Proposal
Try remaining in character at work for an entire day! For example, "Today I am the world's best Speech-Language Pathologist, saving the world by remediating one bad /r/ at a time!" I do not make snide remarks to my colleagues about minor annoyances. I do not lose my temper with students who insist on licking my walls. Why? Because I am the world's best and it is my duty to save this world from weally wotten awticulation ewwows.
There. You are welcome.
Cheers!
