Health Care Education: What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same and nothing that you did mattered?

Sometimes life, especially work life, becomes very routine and even monotonous. Many believe the most frustrating thing about life is not knowing what's going to happen next. But, imagine if we knew everything that would happen during our lives. Could the thought of such an existence be more horrible -- knowing exactly what's going to happen next?

Personally, I shudder to think what a world would be like if I awake every morning to Sonny and Cher singing "I Got You, Babe.”

It is up to each of us to break the routine. We want to search for the parts of our professional lives where we see the glass half full. Where we can make a difference and yes… where what we do matters.

I’d like to suggest that professional development is the way to start a “glass half full” attitude.

Education leads to knowledge.

Knowledge leads to confidence.

Confidence brings results.

Results brings self contentment.

Winter brings Spring…every year!  

Nothing makes a seemingly routine day more interesting than learning something new – challenging yourself to make a change for a better outcome in your own job. Education is never a waste of time. Participating in an educational event may not change the weather for a year, initiate fireworks at 7:30 a.m., or be held on its own private knob, but you will always take away something – even if it is a tidbit as small as a whistle pig.

Another way to break up the monotony is to not be afraid of your own shadow and instead challenge yourself to develop and present an education program of your own so others may learn from you. As part of your unit/office/department in-service schedule, ask your supervisor if you could prepare and present a 15-30 minutes education session. You have an idea, a process and valuable knowledge worth sharing. Do it! Put on your top hat and black tux and state your case. Education is the “what if?" and then "what next?" of never being stuck in one place. Yes, I know, many of you put public speaking above death on your fear list… but imagine the afterglow of conquering that fear? No more shadow of doubt.  Believe me, your colleagues will be supportive.  Confidence… because everything you do matters! 

When professional development, knowledge sharing and lifelong learning are part of your life, I predict just like Phil, “prognosticator of prognosticators,” that you’ll enjoy an early spring and your days will never be the same over and over and over again.

Think Spring! 

 

 

I welcome your responses, comments and any questions or requests for additional information on the educational activities we present at Inquisit. 

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