How does learning and practicing MI change you?

In Chicago at the MINT Forum, Bill Miller mentioned his latest research interest. He is interested in researching how learning MI changes people. I think that this is a very interesting concept. He’s not wanting to research if learning MI can change people, but how it does. By learning MI, we can “kill two birds with one stone”.

I can honestly say that learning, practicing, and teaching MI has changed me for the better and helped me in both my professional and personal relationships. For example, since the start of my MI journey, I have become:

• a better listener (unless it is my husband talking about fishing....again 😊)

• more aware of my prejudices and biases

• careful to give advice, tips, or solutions when they haven't been asked for (even though they may be really, really good)

• more focused on the positives around me

• less judgmental and more neutral in my conversations with others

• less stressed and more relaxed in my conversations

MI has helped me ease up on myself because I have really understood that I cannot change other people, nor do I have to. What a weight off my shoulders. It’s not my job or responsibility to change people or solve their problems.

Being a helpful human means being with someone as they find their own way, the best way for themselves. The whole point of practicing MI is interacting with people in a positive way, so they don’t need you. Through our interactions, they become strong, self-determined individuals who are willing, ready, and able to continue their own journey by themselves.

Bill also wondered if you practice MI and change, do you begin to move in the direction of loving kindness? Maybe. I hope so because what an honour it would be to have those twelve attributes.

Loving kindness is a way of being and embraces the following twelve attributes:

• Affirming

• Compassionate

• Contented

• Empathetic

• Forgiving

• Generous

• Grateful

• Helpful

• Hopeful

• Humble

• Patient

• Yielding

How has learning and practicing MI changed you? Are you moving in the direction of Loving Kindness?

Take care of yourselves,

Jennifer