Do you remember the Staples ad for back-to-school where the father skips down the aisle singing “It’s the happiest time of the year”? Next week school starts in my town and my daughter goes back to college the following week.
There’s something about the end of summer and the start of a new academic year that reminds me of New Year’s. Perhaps, for that father in the Staples ad, the release from the day-in and day-out responsibility for his child(ren) was the happiest time. For others it may be the sense of “I can make a fresh start of it.” There are a myriad of variations between.
I’m reminded of the idea that we get to make a fresh start really at any moment. We are not locked into our past; we get to decide in each moment how we want to be.
To make changes, first you have to acknowledge the present; after all this is your starting point. After years of practice as a physician or a nurse you may have ways of doing things that no longer serve you or your patients as well as you would hope. What is one way in which you want to be different in the year ahead? Don’t wait until you completely experience burnout before making changes. Using kaizen* steps to change is often helpful; these are very small qualitative improvement steps which can lead to broader changes. Though you may be feeling weighed down by the system, EHR, need to generate RVUs and participate in a variety of committees, what’s one action you can take so you can behave in this different way? Examples of kaizen steps to increase your happiness might include, taking 3 conscious deep breathes several times a day, texting a loved one daily or stating one gratitude out loud on your way home from work.
To make this your “happiest time of the year” join Rx for Physician Happiness. You’ll have an opportunity to experiment with activities which have been shown to increase happiness. Whether you take these on as kaizen experiments or something larger you’ll be part of a group that is interested in and supports your progress to make this and future times your happiest.
Let us know a change you want to make by clicking the text bubble at the top of the blog post. To reconnect with your well-being within a supportive group, join Rx for Physician Happiness; sign up at the bottom of the page.
Revitalize Your Life,
Dina, 203.744.YOU3 (9683)
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*Kaizen from the Japanese, meaning to make continuous improvement with small changes on regular basis
