Tag: confidence

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Finding Balance: Juggling It All

So, you’re wondering how I manage everything from stand-up comedy classes and acting, to pole fitness, jiu-jitsu, and a full-time gig in speech pathology? Well, it’s definitely a mix of fun and frantic, but here’s how I keep things rolling without dropping the ball.

1. Setting goals

Each activity I’m into has its own vibe and purpose. Comedy keeps me on my toes, acting builds my empathy, pole and jiu-jitsu keep me fit, and my day job? Well, that’s where I get to make a real difference helping people communicate. I set clear goals for each to make sure they’re not just random things I do, but integral parts of who I am and want to be.

2. Time management

This is key. I’ve got a digital calendar that’s color-coded and blocked out for each activity. It sounds a bit much, but it helps me ensure I’m dedicating enough time to each without overbooking myself.

3. Self-care

Can’t stress this enough. With a schedule like mine, running out of juice is a real risk. So, I make sure to get enough sleep, eat right, weekly massages, and throw some yoga/mindfulness into the mix. It keeps my energy up so I can keep up with everything I’ve set out to do.

4. Stay flexible

Plans change and so do my energy levels. Some days, the best move is to skip the gym for some extra downtime. Being flexible means I can adjust on the go, which keeps me from burning out.

5. Connect the dots

Linking what I learn and experience in one area of my life to others helps too. The confidence from acting and comedy? It’s gold when I’m at work. Everything feeds into everything else in some way.

6. Lean on your squad

It’s tough to manage all this on your own. I’ve got friends, fellow hobbyists, and co-workers who get the hustle. They’re great for bouncing ideas off or venting when things become difficult.

7. Check-in with yourself

Every now and then, I take a step back to see what’s working and what’s not. It’s about being honest with myself and tweaking things if something feels off, like cutting back on an activity that no longer fits.

Balancing a bunch of passions with work is crazy but fulfilling. It’s all about enjoying the ride without getting overwhelmed. Organize, prioritize, and be ready to adapt. That’s how you make it work without losing your cool.

Comment below if you have any other tips and tricks.

Cheers,

Binh

Empowering voices, Enriching lives

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A Day in the Life of a Speech Pathologist

“My mission in life is to help as many people as possible with speaking, reading and confidence.”

Good morning,

It’s time to grab some breakfast: multigrain toast with scrambled eggs. I’m getting some energy for a busy day ahead.

8 AM. Feeling awesome and preparing therapy materials for my clients. It’s time to get creative and tailor various activities according to their needs.

First up, I’m helping an adult who has been diagnosed with speech apraxia. We’re working on the consonants R, V and TH to increase the clarity of their speech. Lots of practice to strengthen those neurological pathways for speech and coordination.

Next up, 2 Accent Training clients who happen to work on one of the hardest sounds of English – the TH sound. It isn’t easy to place the tongue in between the teeth to make the sound, but we manage to say our words (e.g., the, think….) and even practice them in phrase and sentences. We also practice word, phrase and sentence stress at the conversation level. A Toobaloo, a mirror and a set of teeth are used regularly to give my clients auditory, visual and tactile feedback, assisting their pronunciation and helping them to articulate various sounds correctly and clearly.

1 PM. Having lunch in the sun at a local cafe.

After lunch, I meet up with a 3-year-old who used to be non-verbal. This client can now speak in phrases and sentences and can also follow simple instructions. Fantastic! I was given some Easter eggs too.

Next, I’m working with a young client who has problem articulating various sounds such as the SK cluster (e.g., school, ski….). We start with some listening exercises and then proceed onto single words. The pirate game helps a lot when it comes to providing positive reinforcement.

At the end of the day, 2 High School students come to work on their reading and spelling. We have so much fun learning and practicing these skills.

The day has ended on a positive note. I am exhausted but feel so thankful to be working in an area that I’m absolutely passionate about: speaking, language and literacy.

Thank you for reading. Hope this  blog gives you an idea of what it’s like to be a Speech Pathologist.

Until then, be happy and healthy.

Binh