Human nature is sometimes ridiculously predictable. As a new year looms on the horizon, we hear this phrase repeated: “I promise to do the following this coming year…” Have you made your New Year's resolutions yet?

As sure as the sun will rise in the East, most of us will make declarations to improve ourselves in the coming year. We will swear to eat better, save more money, develop an enjoyable hobby and treat others with dignity and respect.

When we follow through with these vows, the quality of our home lives becomes much better. These sorts of promises, even if short-lived, demonstrate that we can progress and change to a degree. Little goals which are successfully executed inspire further ambition.

However, we tend to focus on repairing circumstances outside of the job.  So, what about our work life?  After all, we are at work for a huge percentage of our adult waking existence. Will the coming year on the job remain as it always has been?  Are we programmed to unenthusiastically shuffle along the same rut while at work? 

Some people believe that destiny has much to do with changing ineffective and stale habits.  They believe that their personal Agent of Fortune rolls the circumstantial dice while the individual must helplessly accept fate.

I personally believe that it is entirely up to L.U.C.K.  But, by L.U.C.K. I do not mean an array of random events arranged by some invisible and unpredictable hand.  I speak of the L.U.C.K. method of change.  Really, luck is in your hands.

L.U.C.K. is a four point checklist for all corrections professionals to use when making work resolutions.  L.U.C.K.  consists of Look, Use resources well, Communicate, Knowledge.  Sincere efforts of self-improvement in these areas will certainly make your work life more pleasant and productive.

Look – Improve your vigilance at work.  Become an optimal observer. 
* Conduct frequent safety checks; 
* Search for hidden contraband;
* Look for new patterns and offender associations;
* Monitor common occurrences with a more critical eye.

Use resources well – Reduce waste on the job.  Monitor your own frivolous use of supplies.  Conceive ways to conserve.
Here are some examples:
* Consider how many rough drafts of misconduct reports that you draft on the actual form rather than scrap paper;
* Think of how many things can be done via email versus a telephone call;
* Ponder the amount of paper that you throw away rather than send to recycling;
* Look at how many secured areas are flooded in light, squandering electricity;
* Monitor the amount of cleaning chemicals that porters use.

Communicate – There are so many training modules that focus on the importance of communications in corrections. However, it seems that poor communication is a common deficiency in our field.
* Strive to speak in a clearer manner to peers, supervisors, and offenders;
* Use posturing and body language that is appropriate for the circumstances; 
* Practice listening skills to complete the communications experience;
* Speak with staff from different areas of your worksite to gain perspective and empathy;
* Exchange observations with colleagues who work on different shifts.

Knowledge – Consider the information that is essential to your area of control and aim to improve your understanding of it.
* Reacquaint yourself with key policy directives and operating procedures;
* Memorize your post orders and posted rules in your area;
* Understand all other local operational guides; 
* Partner with colleagues from other areas of your work site to exchange observations about offender movements and associations;
* Relearn the broader agency perspective by reviewing the mission statement and controlling policy directives;
* Trade information about your sub-profession with peers from another worksite.

Why should any corrections professional make changes when so many of our practices remain the same year after year?  There are many benefits to self-improvement at work through the L.U.C.K. method.  Improvements keep one interested in the job.  This staves off burnout and may inspire peers to do the same. Vested staff are long-term staff. 

These positive changes will, of course make your vocational life more fulfilling. And when you find your job is more satisfying, the positive spin-off effect is undeniable.  An improved work life awakens a healthier the home life. 

Each worksite will also reap the rewards of greater efficiency. That translates into a better job done for the taxpayer.

Of course, despite these very real benefits, you can't control it all. Not everything goes according to plan.  But, you should consider the course of the coming year as something that is very much in your hands.

Therefore, it is up to you to make whatever changes for yourself that you deem necessary. Don't place your cards in the hands of luck.  It is better to use the L.U.C.K. method.

About the Author 

Joseph Bouchard is a Librarian at Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility within the Michigan Department of Corrections.  He is also a member of the Board of Experts for The Corrections Professional  and an instructor of Corrections and Psychology for Gogebic Community College.  You can reach him at (906) 353-7070 ext 1321

These are the opinions of Joseph Bouchard, a Librarian employed with the Michigan Department of Corrections.  These are not necessarily the opinions of the Department.  The MDOC is not responsible for the content or accuracy.