Lessons from a Google Director Applied to Emergency Medicine: A Simple Trick to Make Each Shift Feel More Rewarding
How did you spend your time last week?
When you look back, do you remember some of the best moments, or does it sometimes feel like your week went by in a blur?
I think it can be easy in life, especially in our careers, to have our weeks and months sometimes feel like this. One way to combat this is to remember one, single positive thing that went well during your day - A "Daily Highlight”
Imagine this situation:
You set your things down to start your shift, and you glance at the board and see six new patients immediately waiting to be seen. You get right to work, deescalate an unexpected angry patient, get pulled aside for a trauma activation, scramble in some phone calls, and have an emotionally exhausting conversation with a patient about a new critical diagnosis. At the end of your shift you're hungry, thirsty, and exhausted, and realize you have all of your notes left to do.
Peak Moments
But, in the middle of all of this, there was that one peak moment that felt a lot more rewarding. You got to put in a chest tube with one of your favorite co-residents that helped save a life. Or you secured a bloody, obstructed airway with a limited view, something that you know would make many others shake in their boots.
I believe that these are the moments that make our days feel worthwhile, give meaning to our work, and remind us why we chose this field. Although it can be really easy to forget these moments on a daily basis, reflecting on these highlights can make a big positive impact on our well-being, both in the immediate sense and long-term.
Exercise:
On your way home from work today, try to think of one “Daily Highlight” as you’re driving in the car. Or, as an added bonus, take a second to jot it down in notes app or pocketbook to keep it for the future. Chances are, you’ll immediately feel a lot better about your day, and also build a journal of moments to reflect on next time you’re feeling a little exhausted.
Over time, instead of looking back at an old calendar filled with shifts and tasks, our calendars can start to look more like this:
Monday: I had a couple tough patients this day, but I also got my first chest tube!
Tuesday: Ah, yes - Monday was great because I got to work with this awesome attending/co-resident. The shift was crazy, but we jammed out to some music and definitely had our laughs.
Wednesday: I had the day off, and got to go for a long bike ride in the sun with a friend and catch up about life.
Thursday: Today we had this hilarious chief complaint on the trackboard and our entire team laughed about it.
Friday: Today I had one patient who was incredibly nervous about a small little thing, but really thanked me for my time with them at discharge.
Give it a try this week?
Dan
