You’re in a temporary position in Peer Support. How can you make the most of your time there?

1 Set clear expectations

Before you start your temporary position, make sure you understand what your responsibilities, tasks, and goals are. Ask your supervisor or mentor for feedback and guidance on how to perform your role effectively. Clarify how often and how you will communicate with them, and what kind of support and supervision they will provide. Also, find out what kind of training, resources, and tools you will have access to, and how you can use them to enhance your skills and knowledge.

3 Seek feedback and learning opportunities

Working in a temporary position can be a great way to learn from others and improve your own skills and competencies. Seek feedback from your supervisor, mentor, peers, or clients on how you can do better, what you're doing well, and what you need to work on. Be open to constructive criticism, and use it to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. Also, look for learning opportunities that can help you expand your knowledge and expertise. You can enroll in online courses, webinars, workshops, or podcasts related to Peer Support, or ask your supervisor or mentor for recommendations.

4 Reflect on your experience

Another way to make the most of your time in Peer Support is to reflect on your experience regularly. You can use a journal, a blog, a video, or a portfolio to document your learning, achievements, challenges, and insights. Reflecting on your experience can help you evaluate your progress, identify your values and goals, and recognize your impact. You can also use your reflections to showcase your skills and accomplishments to potential employers, clients, or partners. Make sure you respect confidentiality and privacy when sharing your reflections with others.

5 Take care of yourself

Working in Peer Support can be rewarding, but also demanding and stressful. You might face emotional, physical, or mental challenges that can affect your well-being and performance. That's why it's important to take care of yourself and practice self-care. You can do this by setting healthy boundaries, managing your time and energy, seeking support when you need it, and engaging in activities that nourish you. You can also use Peer Support principles and practices to support yourself, such as sharing your feelings, coping strategies, and hopes with others who understand.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?