What do you do if your Peer Support decisions are not based on logical reasoning?

1 Identify Bias

Recognizing personal biases is a critical step in ensuring your peer support decisions are logical. Everyone has biases—subconscious inclinations that can skew reasoning. As a peer supporter, you need to be vigilant in identifying these biases as they can influence the advice you give. Reflect on past decisions and consider whether personal experiences or beliefs may have unduly affected your judgment. By acknowledging and understanding your biases, you can begin to mitigate their impact and make more objective decisions.

2 Seek Feedback

If you suspect your peer support decisions lack logical grounding, seeking feedback is a constructive way to address the issue. Engage with colleagues or supervisors who can provide an outside perspective on your decision-making process. They may notice patterns or flaws in your reasoning that you've overlooked. This external input can be invaluable in helping you understand where your logic may be faltering and how you can correct course.

4 Reflect Regularly

Regular reflection is a powerful tool for ensuring that your peer support decisions remain logical over time. Set aside time to review the guidance you've provided to peers, examining each decision for its reasoning and effectiveness. Ask yourself if you could have approached the situation differently and what you can learn from each interaction. This habit of introspection will help you continuously improve the quality of your support.

5 Adapt Strategy

Adapting your strategy is necessary when you find that your peer support decisions are not based on logical reasoning. This might mean taking a step back from giving immediate advice and instead asking more questions to understand the situation better. It could also involve collaborating with others to gain different perspectives or using decision-making frameworks to structure your thought process. Adapting your approach will help you provide support that is both empathetic and logically sound.

6 Move Forward

Moving forward after realizing your peer support decisions lack logical reasoning involves acknowledging the issue without dwelling on past mistakes. Focus on the steps you're taking to improve and maintain confidence in your ability to grow as a peer supporter. Mistakes are learning opportunities, and with each one, you're becoming more adept at offering valuable, logical support to your peers. Embrace the journey of continuous improvement and celebrate the progress you make along the way.