Happy Social Work Month!

Happy Social Work Month!

I wear a lot of different hats - therapist, teacher, writer, event coordinator, etc but when people ask me that common icebreaker question, "What do you do?" my response is always,
"I am a social worker."

Social workers believe in the dignity and self-worth of the person, in social justice, competence, service, integrity and the importance of human relationships. These are our core values.

Like most other social workers, I have worn a lot of different hats in different jobs with this one degree - from some really hard and stressful ones (hello, child welfare) to some really, really special ones (like the mental health assessments for Hawaii's Death with Dignity program).

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has a theme for their 2023 Social Work Month Celebration:
#BreakingBarriers. That is what we do in our communities - we break down the barriers that prevent people from thriving.

We are also breaking professional barriers (and salary barriers). Yes, the average social worker salary is abysmal ($50,000) - but this is your friendly reminder to not be average.

You can literally do ANYTHING with a social work degree which means that you can also be a social worker that is financially successful. Even the NFL has social workers on staff now!

In case you weren't sure, take a look at these social workers that have Broken Barriers financially - you will be surprised to see who has a social work degree:

Brene Brown, Ressmaa Menakem, Martin Short, Samuel L.Jackson, Suze Orman, Stedman Graham, Ashley Biden
(that's just a few).

So, do not buy into the false belief that all social workers are broke and stressed. We are stressed (and sometimes drowning in student loan debts); but we are also crushing it in many ways.

Permission to be a proud social worker that makes a difference in the world and also makes money and is also joyful and thriving!

As we help our clients Break Barriers, remember to break some for yourself too!

PS. Social workers are notorious for taking on way too much work and I am no exception to that rule. Believe me when I say that social workers can wear a lot of hats at one time...but to Break Barriers, we have to set some limits for our own time and energy. And for that reason, I have cancelled my event in Philadelphia on May 5-6th to focus on Kenya, Utah and the Business of Therapy.

Even if you are not a social worker, consider our core values and try that hat on for a minute!

In your journal, write down the ways in your life that you are
BREAKING BARRIERS.

Where are you helping yourself and/or others to thrive despite all of the obstacles and challenges?

And...like a social worker, where are you taking on way too much work? What do you need to say no to or take off your plate so that you can focus on the most important work?
Make a list and circle one hat that you can take off.

This one might sting a bit...but see how your energy shifts!