Whole Family Approach

WHY DO THIS?

Recognizing all the barriers that might holding you back from the future you envision is the first step to overcoming them. Once you understand the landscape of what you’re facing you can prioritize how you’ll use your resources to create change in spite of them.

RELEVANCE TO THE WHOLE FAMILY APPROACH?

A holistic picture of the obstacles at the individual level, the household level, and the community level can help individuals better prepare to meet them as they work toward reaching a big goal for themselves and their family.

Instructions

Write down a big goal on the worksheet provided or on a blank sheet of paper, and reflect on the following: What are the obstacles that stand between you and your big goal?
‍
At the individual level
 How might you be getting in your own way? For example, are you putting off starting something because you are afraid or not confident you will succeed?
‍
At the household level  
What’s happening within the context of your family that might be getting in your way? For example, is it difficult for you to arrange childcare?
‍
At the community level  
What’s circumstances outside of the home are influencing you? For example, do you have a job with inflexible hours?
Now, looking back the obstacles you’ve noted, circle the one or two that bother you most today? Start here. You don’t have to tackle all your obstacles at the same time! You will be more effective at overcoming them if you focus on only one or two challenges at a time.
 Reflect on the one or two obstacles you selected:  
How might you overcome this obstacle?  
Who can you talk to about it?
 What information do you need to address it?
 What’s an idea you have to work through it or get around it?