Factors that can help or hinder you

Through their audio clips you’ve heard Natalia, Ying, Mo and Eric talk about how they found it hard to do what they wanted because of some difficulties they had. They also talked about the help and support they had received; for example, in finding a job, being able to complete a qualification or going on work experience.

Thinking about your life now, what do you feel are the factors (things) that can help you to achieve your goals? What things might make it difficult?

As an example, think back to Ying, whom you met in Sessions 1 and 2. She experienced a number of difficulties when she first arrived in the UK. These included:

• lack of money
• not being able to speak or understand English
• no childcare to allow her to go out to work
• being isolated at home with her baby.

However, Ying was able to overcome these difficulties through her own motivation, attitude and hard work. She also had the support of others like friends, the local community, staff at Bridges Programmes and her OU tutor. It has taken time, but Ying has overcome many of these barriers and is enjoying her new life in Scotland. She has a job she enjoys, she speaks and understands English, and she is involved in her daughter’s school community.

It can also be helpful to look at how you have made decisions and choices in the past, or how you have coped in difficult situations. This is especially important if you have made a few ‘false starts’ or things have not gone as well for you as you had hoped.

How do you make decisions and choices? For example, do you research the internet, speak to an adviser, friend or colleague, or contact local colleges or training organisations? Or do you decide quickly after hearing or seeing something? Your timeline may have helped you to see some points where, on reflection, you may have chosen differently if you had been better informed.