The mind. What an amazingly complex and fascinating construct it is. From the mind activities, views and language flows.. The right mind can lead to so much good being done where the mind messed up can likewise lead to unimaginable horror.
I work in an area of society with a lot of people with messed up minds. They’ve been unemployed for over six months and a lot happens in six months to reinforce the messed up mind. Sadly the welfare system in Britain is not designed to immediately assess the needs of the unemployed and put in place the right level of support at that time. With people falling through the education cracks for whatever reason not able or willing to get the necessary basic qualifications they are not likely to get any help when they stumble and fumble in starting in the job market.
By the time some of these young people reach us they are more or less resigned to their lot and although will make the noises of one who wants a job, actually behave in a way that seriously undermines that contention. Some of them blatantly don’t need to be with us, another failing of the system. Those people just need a bit more encouragement from the brilliant team of Rob Simmonite, Jen Hunter and Martin Dawber and they’ll be in work before you know it (those three are really brilliant at their jobs and it’s a pleasure seeing them at work). For some of the others, though, the level of work that needs to be done on their confidence and crucially on their mind-set is never appreciated.
As the tutor of these young people I get to assess how close they are to the job market and they offer their own opinions, sometimes refreshingly honest, other times remarkably delusional. On assessing their proximity there is then the intricate and softly, softly approach of addressing those mind-sets that keeps them in the position they’ve got accustomed to. That’s not easy. Some people don’t want to be helped and there’s little to no point looking to change their minds. It’s more worthwhile coming alongside them, get to appreciate their own thinking and feelings and overall leave them to it. More likely than not, these people will not last in the course and get referred back to the rat-race of the unemployed system. Maybe one day they’ll grow out of it. Maybe one day they’ll accept the help on offer to them and take hold on their lives. Maybe. Just Maybe. (© The Sun 2010)
Or maybe not.
The overwhelming factor of life which training companies like our own fail to take on board and the government cannot address with legislation or silly targets is that the heart of the matter remains addressing the mind-set.
One of the sessions I enjoy putting on looks at self-development and for that to be effective the person is challenged to look at themselves in a way they have not done previously. That is rather scary, and you can imagine how much more scary it would be if they did it in the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ (there’s room to do that, but it requires a great deal of wisdom and sensitivity). Changing the mind-set though is not as easy as people might think. I believe it is something that requires a divine touch. More than an external material motivating factor, something deeper that actually motors to motivation.
I joke that the barrier to getting to the job is not as simple as saying Get Motivation! Those who quickly dismiss those on the edges of society denouncing them and belittling them to just get on with, get a job, get a life, get on with, don’t appreciate the mind-set that needs to be addressed. What works for some, doesn’t work for all. It takes the understanding of the individual and the heart of their mind-set to make that change, something that we can talk about and talk around, but only something amazing on the inside makes the difference.
That is not just applicable for those in the jobless scenario. This is applicable to all those who face significant barriers to the freedom that Jesus offers from their own inhibitions, abused pasts, etc. It is hugely sad and frustrating being with brothers and sisters who you know could contribute so much to life and are stuck in unhelpful mind-sets. They could still be bitter over some hurt. They could still not realise how much they are loved to be channels of love. I should know, I am still in constant need of remembering what Jesus did for me on Calvary and how He liberated me from so many things that never allowed me to accept the truth of His love.
So it’s not as simple as telling people to get motivation to change their mind-sets. It is not a simple case of mind over matter. It is a more deeper case of Christ over matter enabling you to realise that motivation that only He can give not only to acquire gainful employment, but to tap into the fullness of life serving others with the many wonderful gifts He has given.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
dmcd
Life With CD 
Interesting piece you have written. It makes me cringe to see that you have published the full names of your work colleagues on the internet, as it is something I would never do. Is this appropriate / did you get permission?
Not needed, from me anyway.
Great piece, and very true.
Lloyd has a valid point, Topher. No permission, so Mother Mary and Hindley Community Centre lawyers will be in touch shortly.
Never a truer word spoken, or written, Chris. Until the mind set has been changed there is little we can do with people like that. The ones we get most success (and when I say success in this sense I mean job outcomes) are the customers who come in with the mentality that have determination to get a job. It’s a shame we can’t go the Costco and get a box load of motivation.