Healthcare Education: 3.14159265359

Life of Pi! Wow… what to say. If you have not read the book and/or seen the movie - do so.  You may love it. You may hate it. But…it will make you think.

Life of Pi is a story about struggling to survive through seemingly insurmountable odds.

Life of Pi shows us that all of us often do extraordinary, unexpected, and sometimes heroic things to survive, in life, in our chosen careers, and in business.  We all make bad decisions and may do inappropriate things if pressured or stressed. But, life’s lesson is to learn by our mistakes and move on.

I loved the book and the movie. Here are the lessons I took away:

The Importance of Telling your Story

The CEO of my company is an extraordinary man… a mentor and a teacher. He always tells me to “tell the Inquisit story”.  This is my #1 lesson learned from Life of Pi.

Storytelling is a means of survival.  If you don’t tell your own story… who will? So tell it.  The “true” events of Pi’s sea voyage are horrible and as a young man, Pi tells a different version of his story that eases the truth… if only for himself. 

I equate “telling your story” to going on an interview for the dream job. It is your story to tell and to sell.

There are Two Sides to Every Story

The stories Pi tells his investigators drives home that old adage “there are two sides to every story” like no other example of the cliché. In our daily job in healthcare, there is always the other side to our own viewpoint – always another side to any story. It is our jobs as a professional to be aware of the two sides, especially if we manage a team.  We should keep an alert eye on and an alert nose up for any hidden information, any organizational politics that may be hindering or inhibiting our work and any hidden agendas of a member of the group.

Always Have a Resource Toolkit

As healthcare professionals, we are faced with regulations, new technology, constant changes, and countless different patient scenarios and needs. We need to learn to be innovative by coming up with resources to make our job as easy as possible.  We do not have time for as a massive whale to do a backflip in the water and send a crashing wave into our already packed day.

Finding the resources you trust, like Inquisit for your continuing education needs is a clear advantage to keep afloat. And remember, putting all of our fish in one "tool or technique" basket is not a good idea. The tools or techniques that we currently use could be overthrown by that slashing whale at any time. You must continually expand your toolkit and seek the horizons.

Get a Grip 

When Pi is tossed out of the sinking ship into the wild ocean, he cried like there is no tomorrow.  (well…. at that point….there may not have been). However, he quickly recovered and does not allow his grief to overcome him. He gets a grip on the reality of the situation and plans the next steps to stay alive.

With the pace of change today, it is easy to lose sight of reality.  As healthcare professionals, we should always be on the lookout for keeping it real – with the patient at the center.   Instead of whining, it is better to get a grip on the reality which enables you to respond in a positive manner sooner.

Things are Not Always as They Seem

During his ordeal, Pi reaches a wonderful island. It is an oasis with food, fresh water, and shelter. However, as night approaches, he quickly realizes that the island is dangerous.

We often become part of such a project in our healthcare roles.  Things seem wonderful and everything looks perfect. However, if we don't pause and take the time to realistically look into ourselves or where the project is headed, we may end up sinking into a very deep ocean.

Lifelong Learning

You may think that being in the middle of the ocean with a hungry wild animal is not the best place to learn. Pi has a different strategy. One of the ways Pi keeps his sanity is by keeping a journal. He reads books and has a "continuing education plan".

Healthcare professionals have wonderful excuses to not invest in learning. We often cite ‘too busy’, ‘no budget’, and so forth, as examples to avoid learning, to stall becoming certified, or even to avoid engaging in easy and convenient learning activities like listening to audio podcasts.  Learn everything you can. It may come in handy someday. Participate. Be engaged.

I hope you think of Pi when faced with an excuse to not learn. And, like Pi, always remember that you are the heart of your own success story. The lessons that you learn from every success and failure that you endure during your career become part of your character. These valuable lessons, some as deep as an ocean and as lonely as darkness, define your heart, wisdom, courage and resilience.  As we grow and learn we recognize that to be our best as a human, a healthcare professional, and team member, or leader, we must draw from the head, heart, courage, and spirit. We must not give up. And, we must believe, above all, in ourselves.