Each Day Provides an Opportunity to Turn Lives Around

By Jackie Sue Griffin, MBA, MS, BA:

The New Year celebration is a wonderful time to reflect on our core spiritual values that shape our humanity. Have you ever asked yourself, “How will I be remembered?”

At Turnaround Life, we celebrate our core values through living by power of example, firmly believing that “Each day provides an opportunity to turn lives around.” It sounds simple yet, sometimes our tremendous intellectual abilities may overly complicate first steps toward change. How can we make a change in 2018? It’s simple. One step at a time.

Regardless of the type of change you would like to usher in in 2018, the process remains same.
1) Prepare for the change. Start small. One week at a time.
2) Decide on a day to begin the change in behavior (i.e. walking daily, stop smoking, etc.)
3) Select a mentor – a friend (peer) you can count on to “cheer you on and hold you accountable to the changed behavior.”
4) Practice the changed behavior. Research indicates that it takes approximately 22 days to break an old habit OR form a new habit. So, perseverance is key. You need at least 22 days where you are consistently applying the new changed behavior (walking, not smoking, etc.).

Here’s to a great 2018 and recognizing the powerful abilities to transform our lives reside within and are sustained through the shared connections, friendship and mentorship with others.

About Jackie Sue Griffin, MBA, MS, BA:

Jackie Sue Griffin, MBA, MS, BA (Development Director, Systems Analyst and Director of Evaluation) has an MBA with a concentration in nonprofit management and a Master of Science degree in Organizational Management and Leadership from Springfield College School of Professional and Continuing Studies. She holds 26 years of experience dealing with small businesses ownership, overseeing operations, grant management, grant development and nonprofit management. Under the leadership of Dr. Gamache, Ms. Griffin manages the overall operations and resources of the company and works collectively with Dr. Gamache in enhancing and sustaining customer relationships and capacity building with stakeholders. Primary responsibilities include leading grant development and implementing high-level program design and systems change strategies and facilitating communication between Turnaround associates. She is a Certified Recovery Coach and trainer and former journalist mastering all forms of written and oral communications. Ms. Griffin has proven competencies in Strategic Prevention Framework, facilitating community assessment, planning, implementation, strategic planning, advocacy, policy analysis, grant writing and grant management and systems transformation. Evidence-based program design expertise includes coalition development, substance abuse prevention, addictions and co-occurring disorders treatment, suicide prevention, adult and children’s mental health systems of care and recovery-oriented systems of care.

Ms. Griffin is the former Vice President of Development of Operation PAR, Inc. and the LiveFree! Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Pinellas County, Executive Director. During her 17 years at Operation PAR, Ms. Griffin spearheaded development (via lead grant writer, project designer & coordinator) in securing $47 million in competitive grants and $43 million in non-competitive discretionary grants. Ms. Griffin has taught undergraduate and graduate students at Springfield College School of Professional and Continuing Studies, Tampa Bay campus as an adjunct instructor for 15 years. She is the President of the Community Advisory Board for Springfield. Ms. Griffin earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Writing and English from the University of Tampa. She received a four-year academic scholarship to pay for her undergraduate studies.