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IMPULSE
MANAGEMENT
Punishment is the least effective
approach for long-term behavior
change. It promotes resentment and adversarial
relationships.
Rather than IMPOSING negative
approaches, we
should help youth to help
themselves.
A very effective approach is to
TEACH A PROCEDURE.
The conversation sounds something
like the following:
Every
time you stick your foot out to trip
your friend, you are a victim of
your impulses.
Do you really want to go through
life being a victim?
If you want be a victor, rather than a
victim, then
let's establish a procedure
so that when you get that impulse
again, you can
redirect
it. For example, picture
your ankle
chained
to the floor. That image will prompt
you to
reflect
the next time your friend passes your desk.
It will help
you to be in charge and in control,
rather than becoming a victim of
your impulse.
The
procedure
described on the
impulse management
poster and on the impulse management
card is amazingly effective in
redirecting impulsive behaviors. | 
