Change is part of life. Without change and adapting to new situations we are not able to grow. A quote that is often wrongly attributed to Charles Darwin is: “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, or the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” This is true; we must adapt to new situations and make changes in our lives.

Often a life coach or counsellor can be a facilitator for change.

However, sometimes when is difficult to change our immediate situation, we must change the way we think about it!

If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.
~ Mary Engelbreit

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I was asked to talk to a group of year three and four students the other day about ways to resolve conflict. I asked some of the students to suggest ways that they resolve conflict in their daily lives.

After some discussion, I presented the group with 10 tips and we discussed each tip in detail.
Ten ways to resolve conflict
1.    Seek to understand the problem.
2.    Listen to each other – take turns to speak.
3.    Listen to the other person’s point of view.
4.    Calm down first – manage your emotions.
5.    Clearly and calmly state your opinion.
6.    Be honest about your feelings.
7.    Always put yourself in the other person’s shoes.
8.    Compromise on some things.
9.    Seek a win – win solution.
10.  Ask some to help you (e.g. a Teacher or Counsellor).
As our discussion came to the end, one of the students said in a matter of fact way, “Yes, we need to be honest and talk about it!” This is exactly what the 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935), Tenzin Gyatso said:

“Dialogue is the most effective way of resolving conflict.”

Starfish

Most of the inspiration for this blog will come from my work as an educational psychologist in a school and in private practice. I will reflect on my daily experiences and provide tips, resources and useful information for counsellors and psychologists working within a school environment.

I will also provide general tips and advice for teachers, parents and students on various psychological and welfare issues.

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