Page 36 - The Changing Chances Strength Based Approach to Control Centre Skills (Executive Function Skills) MASTER 2020

Red Lenses

People who have stress chemicals turned up too high in their body can view the world as if it is
dangerous, even at times when it isn’t. They may feel anxious before anything
even happens. We say they are wearing ‘red lense glasses’ to view the world.

Difficulties staying in control of energy and emotions can therefore be about how sensitive or
vulnerable you are when things go wrong and how easily you react and get upset.

What can you do if you are vulnerable and react easily?

You can build resilience by:

▪ Connections: making stronger connections with people so you feel loved, cared for and
supported (see our Parachutes of Support model for further information on how to do this).

This can be through:

➢ Asking for help to sort out problems with people who you’ve had a bad relationship with
➢ Looking at joining new clubs or groups which meet to do things you are interested in.

Start thinking about what might interest you - from boxing, the gym, dance, football or
skateboarding to art and design, drama, computer programming, gaming, animals,
gardening, hair and makeup or music.

The more you get involved in, the better connections you will create. And the better
your connections, the better you will feel.

▪ Experiences: Build up your confidence in doing things. Ask someone you trust to help you
find and try new experiences. The more experiences you have, the more confident you’ll feel.

▪ Knowing strengths: speak to someone you trust about helping you to build up a clear
picture of your strengths. Use our Strengths & Difficulties cards to help you.

▪ Accepting & managing difficulties: Don’t let your difficulties become a barrier to you
achieving well and feeling great.

Everyone has some things they find harder. It may just be that the things you find hard are
ones we use a lot in school, work and in life (like the Control Centre Skills) so you spend more
of your time noticing your difficulties than other people.

Ask someone you trust to explore the things you find difficult (use our Strengths & Difficulties
cards to help you).

Work out ways to support your difficulties so they aren’t such a problem for you (the
information on the other Control Centre Skills may help you think of some strategies).

▪ Future Focus: Speak to someone you trust about helping you to work out what you would
like your future to be like.

What kind of person do you want to be? How do you want people to see you? (E.g. Funny and
energetic? Calm and wise? Kind and well thought of? Generous? Trusted?)

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