It’s so easy to get caught up in patient care, documentation, details and concerns about “did I get it all done” that as physicians and nurses you may forget about the bigger purpose of your involvement in health care and who you want to be. Perhaps you’ve lost some important aspects of yourself along the way.
If you’re suffering from,
- a lack of interest and enthusiasm for work and it is spreading,
- some cynicism toward patients and health care, and
- wondering about the value of your work
then, it is time to reconnect with what’s important to you. All of the above are signs of burnout.
Here’s a way to reconnect. I’ll share a second activity for you to do in several weeks. They both involve writing and sharing. The effort will be worth it.
Write a brief story about a person whom you admire or respect, and include the traits and characteristics that lead you to feel the way you do about the person. The person can be dead or alive, someone close or an individual you may never have met. Share this story with someone you’re already comfortable with, or me, and then listen to what the other person heard.
Together you’ll glean the story for the traits you admire; note these down. You now have a list of characteristics which you admire, respect and appreciate. You recognize these valuable traits because they exist in you, perhaps not to the extent you would like. Looking at your list, you may notice some things which you forgot about yourself. Now, write I am in front of each characteristic. These characteristics provide the basis for a Best Self list. Choose up to 5 of the traits that you would like to cultivate. Mark them down somewhere so that you can see them regularly. Review your list at least daily and see how you can integrate some of these aspects of yourself into your life.
Your Best Self list will provide you with direction toward a life which you value. You’ll be uplifted by integrating and developing these qualities. Even if they don’t directly relate to patient care or your work, there will be a positive overflow. Remember, even subtle changes in positivity have a broaden and build effect.
To build a life in which you are your Best Self more often and achieve the revitalized life you desire, contact me.
Dina, 203.744.YOU3 (9683)
Revitalize Your Life
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