How to survive, thrive in healthcare and in life

Now is a good time to take stock of what you accomplished during the past six months and what you still want to achieve in 2018. It’s also a good time to reflect on the big picture of your career, which is a useful undertaking for each of us, at least periodically.

Deciding where you might be headed next is difficult, if not impossible, to do. With that in mind, here are four “wisdoms” to ponder that could help you along the path to a long and vibrant career.

1. Stay current

There is an old age that says, “Doing what you’ve always done will get you what it’s always gotten you.” Actually, if that was once a valid observation, it is now no longer true. Doing what you’ve always done is a prescription for falling behind, particularly in this day and age with rapid changes in technology, medical procedures, therapies, and so forth. To advance your career, you must be willing to engage in new types of activities and pursuits.

Today, it behooves each of us to attend that conference, take that course, read those journal articles, and affiliate/cooperate with peers to keep ourselves at the forefront of our profession and our specialty.

2. Ignore the naysayers

The Greek philosopher Aristotle once said, “To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” The moment you take any kind of bold step-the instant you venture out from the rest the pack-is almost a guarantee that somebody, somewhere, will have an opinion about it. Much of the time, that opinion won’t be favorable to you.

Proceed anyway. The naysayers have historically been in the majority. Any significant achievement is bound to incur some push back. Plow through. You can prevail-and change their mind in the process.

3. Take time for yourself

If you’re too busy to enjoy your life, you’re too busy. It’s a truism of our era. In our rush to get things done, sometimes we fall into the traps of becoming “human doings” as opposed to maintaining our status as human beings.

In concert with all the achievements for which you strive, it’s vital to periodically take breaks and to truly enjoy leisure. This requires only some careful scheduling. Gaining enjoyment and refreshment from your leisure is entirely possible and well within your grasp.

4. Treasure the present

The German philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said, “Nothing is worth more than this day,” particularly this moment. This day and this moment hold wonderful potential. We have the potential to actually live and dwell in the present when we’re not racing ahead in our minds, thinking about what’s next, or not fretting about what didn’t go so well in the past.

For most people, the realization of the present is a wonderful feeling. After all, the present is the only place in which we can take action. So, begin to balance your days.

After a couple strenuous hours on the job, give yourself permission to go outside, walk around the block, take a deep breath, center yourself, and then head back to the office. You deserve it, and this kind of activity and others like it are available all the time. You simply have to take advantage of them.