Do you ever feel like what you’re doing isn’t making a difference?
I think about this Margaret Mead quote at least once a week when I’m feeling futile:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
It reminds me to take the long view – the butterfly effect. To think about the chain of events over a long period of time, the unexpected consequences that I couldn’t have predicted, the seemingly simply actions that result in something amazing or unique, the events that surprisingly developed from an unrelated encounter.
I have so many of those in my career. Amazing opportunities where I can trace the chain of events back in time to something truly unexceptional, something no career guidance book suggested or mentor recommended. The path is often winding and long, but it’s taught me that seeds are being planted today even if all I see is dirt.
I sat down to write about the new AKEDA eating disorder ECHO series and started thinking how odd it is that a dietitian in Texas is the biggest fan of a group headquartered in Alaska. I traced the story back and it turns out it started at an eating disorder conference at least 20 years ago.
I invited a man, eating lunch alone, to join me and my friends. We became friends. I met his colleagues. I visited them in Utah. I met Tamara Noyes. She invited me to speak at the first Center for Change Conference. A few years later she invited me again. And that’s where I met dynamite in human form, also known as Grace Schumacher, Alaska dietitian. She introduced me to Beth Rose and Jenny Loudon, who founded the Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance.
That led to my first ECHO experience – an educational format that stands for Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes but is much more interesting than that sounds.
If you attended, you know that each session an expert speaks, someone brings a case study, and everyone attending can share their thoughts. It brings people together from all over the world, in different settings with different experience and different resources, to crowdsource solutions, where everyone teaches and everyone learns.
I LOVED it.
Which is why I’m thrilled to tell you another ECHO series is coming. It’s 4 sessions this time, and the topics are hot –
- Unraveling the Truths About Binge Eating Disorder
- Practical Considerations for Choosing the Right Level of Care
- Why Weight?: Determining Weight Restoration Goals and Overcoming Objections from Patients and Families
- Improving Recovery Outcomes.
It’s fantastic. It’s certified for CEU credit. You can pick which sessions you want to attend. And best of all, we’re all invited. In their thoughtful, committed mission to change Alaska, AKEDA is also changing the world.
And did I mention it’s absolutely free? A hidden gem worth its weight in gold.
Sign up here and spread the word. Share this email with anyone who touches eating disorders – expert colleagues, interested students, family members are all welcome. I’ll see you there!
A simple invitation to a man eating lunch started a chain of career opportunities for me. A plan to bring eating disorder help to Alaska turned into an opportunity to educate the world. Unexpected consequences from seemingly simple actions. I suspect something you’re doing today is planting seeds for the future, too, even if it’s too soon to see anything sprout.
Looking forward to a better future thanks to all of you,
Jessica
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Reminder: Eating Disorders Boot Camp is available for instant download any time at EatingDisordersBootCamp.com. Recent comment from a colleague: “I’ve used the things you taught with all my patients, not just the ones with eating disorders.” In need of more specific help? Losing sleep or ready to quit? I’m available most workdays by zoom or phone. Specialties are CEDS supervision and super-stressful, challenging situations. Day one RDNs to Supervisors. Click here for rates or email me at [email protected] and let’s schedule ASAP.
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Free CEU opportunities and as always, please let me know if you have one to share.
Unlearning Expert Mode: For Dietitians Who Give A Damn
https://www.moxie-mind.com/em-workshop
Hiding in Plain Sight: Eating Disorders in Cis Males 10/5
https://app.ce-go.com/hiding-in-plain-sight-eating-disorders-in-cis-males
Putting Communities First in Nutrition Education 9/6
https://communitywealth.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvdeGprzojGtyE5q_-VCXueJyvVBKQBHbT#/registration
When the Solution Becomes the Problem: Avoidance in Trauma and Eating Disorders 9/22
Trauma and Self-harm 10/2-3 https://catalog.pesi.com/sales/bh_s_001823_traumaselfharm_organic-672581
Strategies for using trauma informed care when discussing weight in clinical practice 10/4
https://villanova.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_R8ybXR8iTwODZz7PaKrP7w#/registration
Full spectrum support: Offering gender affirming ED care for all genders 8/3
How to Build Confidence in Your Practice and Break Free from Imposter Syndrome free Workshop with Alissa Rumsey free to download till 9/1
https://alissarumsey.com/workshop/
Suicide Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention in Eating Disorder Treatment 9/5
When Talk Therapy Isn’t Enough: In Vivo Exposures and Eating Disorder Treatment 9/8