DAY 20 - Recognize the Landmarks

Recognize landmarks and mile-markers along the way

Wow! 20 days in! That’s 1/5 of the way to 100! Something to celebrate. And by the way, you can still join us at any time!!

I want to thank all those who sent me guest prompts in response to my request (Ask for Help). They are wonderful! Keep them coming!

Sky

Todays prompt is from me. It came into my head as I was reading yesterday’s comments from Pei Fen and Melani, on the experience of learning hard things that require effort and commitment. See their comments here

And join us, if you like, for MI Practice today.

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Todays Prompt: DAY 20 - Recognize the Landmarks

Learning anything - doing anything - in the long haul can be hard.

And there is a whole lot to learn in MI. There’s the spirit, the attitude, the technique, the skills. Being new in MI can seem overwhelming and the mind can get so full of rules that it makes it really hard to be present with the client.

“I kept worrying about “what’s my ratio"?
Am I asking too many questions?
Did I do the readiness ruler right?”
And then I realized I was so far up in my head worrying
that I had left the client behind.

Today I want to encourage you to check out the Landmarks and the Mile-markers and just see how far you have come since you first started this journey.

I recall when I started, I could barely tell the difference between a statement and a reflection. And giving advice, being an expert, was so hard to give up. I mean, I had so many really good ideas of what would make my client’s life better. And of course, I thought I knew what MI was, so I really did not need to go to that workshop on it, I don’t really need to read the book, I’ve got it already!

And ugh. Well, that was a while ago.

And I want to recognize not only those teacher who were patient with me, but recognize that I did start to get it. Going 5 minutes without giving a single peice of advice was probably the first landmark for me. And man, was that an uphill battle with myself!

What was your first landmark, or mile-marker with MI?
When did you first notice that you were starting to get it?
What landmark or mile-marker in MI are you headed for now?

Please let us know in the comment section.
And thanks for all you do!

Sky

Comments from yesterdays prompt: “Look for the Easy Way”

“I had woke up this am thinking how much I’d like to increase activity in my life and how I was going to make it work. Reading this post actually reminded me to find ways where it fits naturally so it is an easier change. It’s something I enjoy and want to do so making it easier to do makes the most sense.” - Kimberly C

“Thank you to János Tomics for today’s Look For The Easy Way. There is another group that embraces the hard way. I immediately think of professional athletes and their ability to dive right into the deep end and that comes with consistency. In Ironman, while I’m not a professional, I love something about the hard way, and that’s endurance. I love the long haul, the uphill, and what one great professional ultrarunner, Courtney Dauwalter, calls the “pain cave.” She embraces the pain, and in doing so, it softens the challenge a tiny bit. She runs with humility, ease, and a massive smile, full of gratitude and joy for the pain cave. Pain doesn’t go away while we live, it’s apart of life. What does one choose to focus on. Personally, I love discovering a new trail run, new waters to swim in, the excitement of a new place, and the thrill of moving my body through it. This is hard, and I do it anyway.” - Melani

And thank you!

100 Days of MI is free. And I’m super glad so many folks are enjoying the daily posts!
Offering you comments is free too, so please keep them coming! comment

I have also set up a paid subscription level for folks who want to help support the work, and as a little thank you to you, I am doing a Quick Class video each week. Here’s a Quick Class on Boundaries (5 minutes).

“Hi Sky - I’m supporting your MI work because I believe with your guidance and gentle challenges, you‘re helping me to learn and grow. In turn, I’m inspired to guide others toward the changes they would like make in their lives. Thank you for all you do to build this compassionate community! Brenda C” / Thanks Brenda! - Sky

Wishing you a great day, and maybe Try the Easy Way!

And please tell us how it goes

Sky

Not sure what this is or why you are getting it,
Or maybe you would like to join in, click here

MI INTERMEDIATE CLASS:
The Power of Change Talk
June 13, 2025

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We are all in this together

Sky Kershner, LPC, ALPS, LCSW, DMin
Assistant Professor, WVU School of Medicine
MINT Certified Trainer of Motivational Interviewing
AAMFT Approved Supervisor / Member IEDTA / PACT L2
304-220-0088 / www.wv-mi.com / the mi-ai practice space