The Keys to your 2020 Vision for Self

A Director of Emergency Medicine was getting overwhelmed by the enormity of his own role recently, so I asked him when he thought he was most effective. He responded, “When I’m able to take some time out – quiet, reflective processing time, I operate at a whole new level.” 

He continued, ” I can go days, weeks and sometimes months at a time, just allowing the work, the stress and the emotional load that comes with it, to build up until I isolate myself and/or get sick – physically, mentally, emotionally and/or spiritually.”

“I notice that I don’t always notice when I get into this kind of rut. It’s like I can’t see clearly through the fatigue and closeness of the issues. So, I’ve set up some triggers around me that address different domains of my health (e.g. intellectual health, physical, social, emotional, etc.). The triggers help me notice when I’m out of balance in one or more of these domains of health.

I make modest tweaks in my day/week to step back to see a bigger picture (like how important my family is to me and how, for example, I’ve neglected my young daughter). This helps me regain clarity of thought and set up modest steps to deliberately carve out time for reflection. The reflective time helps me remember important relationships around me. That small process in itself, helps guide me and rejuvenate me.

“In addition, I’ve set up my own mini, informal ‘Board of Directors’. The ‘Board’ is made up of people that I trust, love and respect that I keep around me to help me, too, when I can’t see straight or when I need a sounding ‘board’.”

As we summarized our dialogue, I asked him, “So, what would you recommend to others, to help them achieve clarity for self and more peace of mind?”

He wrapped up in a matter-of-fact way: “It starts with hardwiring some unstructured time, just for thinking and processing the day’s/week’s/month’s events, to allow one’s deepest self to make sense of everything that’s going on around you on a regular basis…Call it whatever you want: quiet time; mindfulness; strategic time…

Then think about what’s important to you, in the long-term. Spend time reflecting on it and utilize those smart people around you – a key colleague, a family member/significant other, a leadership coach, or whoever your go-to person is. Then, build your own customized plan, let your go-to person/people help hold you accountable in fun, modest ways…and keep practicing…just like you do with your medicine and with your patients…

You’ll DEFINITELY see the difference. I guarantee: You’ll operate at a whole new level.“