Setbacks to Stepping Stones
with Kelly Baird
Behavior Bites Podcast - Ep53November 20, 2024Do you shy away from the uncomfortable stuff, or do you lean into discomfort in order to grow and learn?
During today’s meal— I speak with a behavior analyst and mother of a child with autism about her passion projects, how to learn from failure, and her favorite holiday traditions.
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Amuse-Bouche
Could you tell us more about BWIBADD and ABAVerzus?
Appetizer
How did you get into Behavior Analysis?
Something you wish you could have told yourself when getting started?
Palate Cleanser
Your favorite family holiday tradition?
Entree
When was a time you failed, and what did you learn from that experience?
What are people generally surprised to find out about you?
Dessert
What other passion projects are you working on?
Excerpts from the Episode
(*Paraphrased highlights)-
Growth requires a certain level of discontent.
It's natural to want things to feel smooth and effortless as we pursue our goals, but real meaningful growth often happens when we step outside of our comfort zones and push through challenges.
Discomfort is a signal that we're on the edge of something new, a change, a skill, or it can be an understanding that we haven't mastered yet. In the beginning, I often mistook my discomfort for a sign that I wasn't cut out for the journey or I was on the wrong path.
Now, I realize that those moments of unease were opportunities for growth. Embracing that feeling of discomfort rather than shying away from it would have made it easier to see challenges as part of the process and not as obstacles.
It often forces us to ask questions, reevaluate our approaches, and look at solutions. Over time, I've learned that this mindset shift can transform setbacks into stepping stones.
If I had known that sooner, I might have realized that those hard moments were leading me towards the kind of growth that I was striving for.
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When I took the BACB exam and failed.
That was tough after putting so much time and effort into that. Not passing really did feel like a setback, because you go through school and you go through all of this training and you put in so many hours and it's like, oh my gosh, if I don't pass this exam I don't get certified.
I'm a behavior analyst now, but it taught me a lot about patience, persistence, and the value of not rushing through the process because it is what it is for you. You just have to push through.
In the beginning, I was eager to move forward and achieve goals quickly and celebrate all the wins quickly. That experience of not passing reminded me that success isn't always immediate. Leaning into the material more deeply truly helped me understand the concepts of the task list at least.
For those that are in the process of taking an exam, or are in school, or working towards becoming a behavior analyst— take that task list seriously because the test can be a beast, especially for people that aren't great test takers.
Being a multiple test taker, I've learned to be patient with myself and trust the process. I realize that setbacks can actually lead to greater resilience and a deeper level of understanding.
In the end, it wasn't just about passing the exam. It was about becoming the kind of practitioner, clinician that I aspire to be.
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People are often surprised to find out that I'm actually a pretty funny person. I love to joke around and have a real passion for humor and comedy.
I love comedy clubs. I get a lot of joy from stand-up comedy shows and watching those on TV as well.
There's definitely something about being able to laugh at life's challenges and absurdities. Comedy is a way to cope with the darker parts of life. There's so much happening in the world that can feel heavy, but I believe that laughter is one of the best ways to stay grounded.
Life is too short to take everything so seriously. So humor reminds me to find lightness even in the hard moments.
I think people who only see me in the professional settings are sometimes caught off guard when they see that side of me, but that's one of the ways that I stay balanced and connected to the brighter side of life.
ABOUT Kelly
Kelly Baird, BCBA, LBA, IBA
Kelly Baird is the founder of Black Women in Behavior Analysis Appreciation Day (BWIBAAD) and the Vice President of Operations at ABAVerzus. Additionally, she co-founded and serves as President of the Missouri Black Applied Behavior Analysis Community, where she introduced The ABA Pathfinders to promote inclusive ABA programs, particularly at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
As a mother of a child with autism, Kelly is deeply committed to creating empowering spaces for clinicians and fostering networking opportunities. She is passionate about advocating for individuals with developmental and behavioral challenges, leveraging her experiences to drive positive change in the field of ABA.
Through BWIBAAD, Kelly has established a platform to celebrate and support Black women in behavior analysis, cultivating a community of empowerment and professional growth. At ABAVerzus, she leads innovative initiatives that revolutionize ABA events, creating engaging experiences that unite and celebrate the ABA community. Her dedication to empowering clinicians and fostering networking opportunities is evident in her work, making her a respected leader in the field.
CONNECT with Kelly
Linkedin: Kelly Baird
Facebook: Kelly Perry
Instagram: @thatskelly4yo
@bwibaad
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Visit my Podcast page to learn more about Behavior Bites!
