Surviving Modern Healthcare: A Nurse’s Toolkit to a Happy Work Life (726 hits)
The success of anything we do depends on our attitude. If we decide that we are going to be successful at something, we are right. If we decide that we are not going to be successful at something, we are also right. Your attitude toward your job, your life, your friends, your colleagues can sabotage your success in those areas. Many people start the day in a negative way that affects everyone around them. You know who they are. The reality is that you have control over the type of day you will have; it is your decision to have a great day. You need to simply show up and stay in the moment, give it your all and your day will go much better. We will always have times that challenge us, but with a positive attitude, you will be able to go home realizing that you did your best.
We all seem to have the tendency to look at big chunks of our lives and to compartmentalize our activities. Although we need perspective on the whole, actually, life is all about moments. These moments are woven together to create our memories and define our lives. The moments change over the day so even if our day starts off in a challenging way, it does not mean it has to end that way. When we look at the whole problem, or whole picture, we miss the moments. When was the last time you noticed a beautiful sunrise on your way to work? When was the last time you took time to stare into the beauty of a flower? When was the last time you truly enjoyed the smile of one of a baby? These are the precious moments that build our lives. Don’t miss them. Once lost, the moments are gone forever. Living in positive moments rather than continuously looking at the negative will help to reframe your day and your life.
Tips to keep you in the moment include:
Do not look at the whole, rather enjoy the moments Learn to look for the moments. Next time you are at work, take the time to evaluate your interaction with you patients. Hold their hands and look into their eyes to identify their fears and appreciate their gratitude. They need you. Holding someone’s hand during their time of need is a moment to be cherished. Thank your nursing coworkers and appreciate all they do for you and all they do for the good of mankind. You have all dedicated your lives to the betterment of others. Doing what you do is a privilege. Also appreciate what other allied healthcare workers do for you throughout the day and thank them for their help. There are so many wonderful moments at work, regardless of the type of day you are having. Looking at those will improve the quality of the day.
Pay attention to your emotions
We all have things that frustrate us and evoke negative emotions in us. This may be a result of your value system, personal past experiences, or issues that you may be going through right now in your life. Awareness of what those are is the first step to being able to manage those feelings. If there is a patient that you feel you cannot take care of for some personal reason, be honest about that and ask to change assignments. If there are particular situations that you are uncomfortable with, stay away from those situations.
Learn the art of reflection
Reflection is the art of life analysis. We learn through our experiences, however, if we do not learn to systematically reflect on those moments, the learning opportunity is lost. Make it a habit to reflect on the events of your life on a daily basis. This might be done while you are driving home, or while you are relaxing for a few minutes in front of the television, or this can be done with formal meditation or yoga. Review the events of the day and how they made you feel. Evaluate those events that were troublesome for you and why you think you emotionally responded to them. Think about what you could have done differently to achieve a better outcome. Reflect on these issues as an observer from the outside without any emotional investment. Also, do not judge yourself through this process. Simply identify, analyze and learn from the experiences. In conclusion, take the next step to improve your life by making a conscious effort to show up and be present in the moment. Eliminate the negative and find something positive. Remember, every bad experience, regardless of what it is, in the long run becomes positive because we grow and learn from everything we face through our lives. Carpe Diem! Seize the moments and enjoy them because life is too short to let them slip away.
The next article in the "Surviving Modern Healthcare: A nurses' Toolkit " series will feature on the home page on March 29th.
