Charting Your Purposeful Path: Insights into finding your "Why" from My Evolution in ABA and OBM

Aloha from the serene islands of Hawaii! As I sit here, surrounded by the majestic landscapes, I'm not just on a vacation; I'm gearing up to deliver a training based on my book, "Deliberate Coaching." Tomorrow, I'll be diving deep into the nuances of leadership with some of Hawaii's DOE elites. But today? Today is about the rhythmic waves, the whispering palm trees, and the vibrant culture.

Now, you might think, "Isn't that a lot of work?" Designing, refining, and delivering such a training? Let me introduce you to my brilliant partner in crime, Anika Costa. Together, we’ve poured thousands of hours into this endeavor. And yes, while the process can sometimes be exhausting, and the weight of responsibility feels heavy, there’s not a shred of "work" in the conventional sense. The joy, the exhilaration, the sheer passion with which we tackle each session makes every minute worth it. Anika's love for this work runs so deep, she's diving back into academia, pursuing a doctorate in learning design and performance technology. Her expertise melded with mine? We're a force to be reckoned with.

Every time we wrap up a session, the euphoria, the sense of accomplishment is palpable. It's not just about having delivered content; it's about having made an impact, having resonated with our audience, and having made a difference.

And so, amidst this backdrop of paradise and purpose, a thought struck me: why not share this journey? Why not guide others to uncover their passion, craft their unique niche, and bask in the glory of their "why"? This newsletter is a testament to that inspiration. A nudge, an encouragement for you to embark on your voyage to find and embrace your passion. Because when you truly love what you do, every challenge becomes an adventure, every setback a lesson, and every accomplishment a celebration. Ready to journey with me?

Unpacking the Professional Labyrinth: How ABA Became My Guiding Star

Navigating the vast realm of one's professional life often feels like wandering in a maze, doesn't it? It's in the midst of this exploration that we often stumble upon our calling—or as I like to frame it, our "why". So, how did applied behavior analysis (ABA) become my compass, guiding me from social work to organizational behavior management (OBM)? Let's briefly delve into it through a behavior analytic lens.

The Antecedent: A Desire to Help

It all started with a simple, burning desire: to assist, to be of service. Social work was my first port of call. Yet, as with any behavior, there's an antecedent. Mine was the innate longing to make a difference.

Behavior: Stumbling Upon ABA and OBM

Then came the behavior—the action influenced by that antecedent. For me, it was the fortuitous encounter with ABA. I like to think of it as the "science of helping." This wasn't just a fleeting interest; it was a resonating discipline that essentially had me at hello. I felt the connection immediately, and soon enough, I delved deeper, discovering OBM, which would eventually become where I hung my hat.

Consequences: Challenges and Reinforcements

Now, behaviors, as we know, lead to consequences. My first forays into writing on LinkedIn were, in essence, a response to negative reinforcers in the workplace—where I found so-called "leaders" wielding coercive power. I was very frustrated with their behavior. I wanted to confront them so badly. But at that time, I was afraid for my job and lacked the courage to do so. So I reframed my frustration, offering solutions through my LinkedIn articles applying the very principles of ABA I had come to cherish.

The immediate relief of venting was a positive reinforcer. But the larger, more potent reinforcement? The engagement, feedback, and sometimes constructive critique from my readers. This cycle of behavior and positive reinforcement took a life of its own, propelling me from LinkedIn posts to best-selling books, top-ranked podcasts, and eventually, keynote speeches in front of thousands of people.

Generalization: Applying ABA Beyond the Individual

If there's one thing ABA teaches us, it's the power of generalization—applying learned behavior to new situations. My journey wasn’t just about self-betterment. By embracing OBM, I began disseminating invaluable lessons in human behavior, aiding organizations and individuals alike. This kept me close to my values, and eventually helped me to discover my "why".

Your ABA Roadmap to Finding Your "Why"

Drawing from my own journey, allow me to provide a clearer picture of how you can employ ABA principles to decipher your "why". Remember, this journey is deeply personal, but with ABA as a tool, the path becomes clearer.

1. Spot Your Antecedents: Dive deep into your psyche. What ignites your passion, your drive? For instance, just as my commitment to service led me to social work, a friend found her "why" in art after realizing how colors and patterns always evoked profound emotions in her. Example: Maybe you always find yourself drawn to volunteering events, indicating an innate desire to give back or be part of community development.

2. Engage Actively: When you pinpoint that spark, fan its flames. Act on your impulses, explore every avenue, and stay receptive. After I stumbled upon ABA, I didn’t stop at mere admiration; I actively engaged with the subject, reading, attending conferences, and eventually adopting its principles in all of my work. This included applying OBM in education and behavior analytic organizations and using ABA during my coaching of MMA fighters. Example: Let's say you have an affinity for storytelling. Start with small steps, maybe start a blog, join a local writing group, or take a course.

3. Face the Consequences: Every action has an outcome. Recognize these outcomes and adapt accordingly. For me, the reinforcement from writing on LinkedIn wasn’t just the act of penning down my frustrations, but in the myriad of responses I received. But I also faced challenges - not every article was well-received, not every principle easily applied. Yet, each was a lesson. Example: Imagine hosting a community workshop. Maybe only a handful of people show up initially. Rather than seeing it as a failure, view it as a learning opportunity. How can you market better? What can you improve?

4. Widen Your Scope: Your “why”, while personal, can have a broader impact. As I ventured deeper into OBM, my mission wasn’t just self-growth but to help organizations and individuals alike navigate their challenges using ABA principles. Example: Suppose you find fulfillment in teaching. Beyond classroom teaching, how can you scale? Perhaps starting online courses, or writing educational books, or even mentoring.

5. Reinforcement and Iteration: As behaviors get reinforced, they're likely to be repeated. Identify what reinforces your "why". For me, it was the positive feedback and the tangible changes I saw in organizations using OBM. Seek feedback, iterate on your methods, and be open to evolution. Example: If your passion is eco-sustainability, every successful green project or reduced carbon footprint becomes a reinforcer, urging you to do more.

6. Connect and Generalize: Harness the power of your network. As I expanded my horizons, I also collaborated with like-minded individuals, leading to richer outcomes. I reached out to leaders in the field of OBM. They were gracious and allowed me to bounce my thoughts off of them. By embracing the ABA principle of generalization, find ways to apply your learnings in diverse contexts, creating wider ripples. Example: If you're passionate about mental health, after gaining experience in adult therapy, you could explore adolescent counseling, workshops in schools, or even create digital resources.

In the end, remember, carving out your "why" isn't an overnight task. It's a journey of introspection, experimentation, and evolution. Yet, with the guiding principles of ABA, every step taken is a stride closer to understanding your true purpose. Ready to kickstart this adventure? Your unique "why" awaits discovery!

About the Author

Specializing in human performance, coaching, and organizational leadership, Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni is a behavior scientist and educator who has worked across education and human services for almost three decades. In this capacity, he has served the needs of children and adults through various positions, including COO, Vice President, Director of School Improvement, Leadership Director, Professor, Assistant Principal, School Turnaround Manager, Clinical Coordinator, Therapist, District Behavior Analyst, and Director of Progam Development and Public Relations at?PCMA . Dr. Gavoni is passionate about applying Organizational Behavior Management (OBM), or the science of human behavior, to make a positive difference in establishing safe, productive, and engaging environments that bring out the best in faculty and staff so they can bring out the best in the learners they serve. He is an active board member of the?Opioid Awareness Foundation ?and?World Behavior Analysis Day Alliance .

Known for his authenticity and practical approaches, Dr. Gavoni is the host of the Top 1.5% globally ranked?Crisis in Education Podcast ?and a sought-out speaker at various Educational and Behavior Analytic Conferences Internationally. He a the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling co-author of The Scientific Laws of Life & Leadership: Behavioral Karma; Quick Wins! Accelerating School Transformation through Science, Engagement, and Leadership; Deliberate Coaching: A Toolbox for Accelerating Teacher Performance; and MMA Science: A Training, Coaching, and Belt Ranking Guide. Dr. Gavoni is proud to introduce OBM and Applied Behavior Analysis to worldwide audiences through his numerous publications and his work with PCMA to create productive, safe, and positive cultures.

Beyond his work in education and human services, Dr. Gavoni is also a former Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion and a highly respected striking coach in combat sports. Coach “Paulie Gloves,” as he is known in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) community, has trained world champions and UFC vets using technologies rooted in the behavioral sciences. Coach Paulie has been featured in the books?Beast: Blood, Struggle, and Dreams a the Heart of Mixed Martial Arts , A Fighter’s Way, and the featured article Ring to Cage:?How four former boxers help mold MMA’s finest . He is also an author who has written extensively for various online magazines such as Scifighting, Last Word on Sports, and Bloody Elbow, where his?Fight Science series ?continues to bring behavioral science to MMA. Finally, Paulie was also a featured fighter in FX’s highest-rated show at the time, The Toughman, and as an MMA coach in the Lifetime reality series?Leave it to Geege .