This month's vlog is about how keeping manuals for how things "should be" and how people "should act" causes some unnecessary drama and suffering.  Since we can't control people, wishing they were different causes us more pain. Acceptance is such a healthy way to live. But that doesn't mean you can't have "asks" or work to improve things. Stay tuned for next month's vlog on boundaries to see how these two concepts go hand-in-hand.

If you know of a resident or faculty who is struggling,...

So far, we have discussed taking back control of our time and attention Now for the 3^rd step.  We need to protect and build our mental energy.

How do we do this? I have 5 tips, but good news - 2 of them are reviews from Steps 1 and 2.  

Honor your priority for your rejuvenation time/self-care. Whatever it is that revitalizes you, make it a priority and keep your appointment with yourself. We mentioned in Step 1 how it leads to better efficiency. And I’m...

Last week we covered key area #1 – Taking back control of your time. This week we are moving to the 2^nd key area to address to gain some calm – taking back control of your attention.

As residents and academic physicians with full lives outside of work, the demands for your attention are numerous! Those demands add to the chaos and seeming lack of harmony. Let’s think through 4 steps of gaining control in this area.

Be present. You may recognize this from other...

This week, we will look at one of 3 key areas you can clean up to gain some control and improve harmony in your career and life outside of work. 

Today we will discuss gaining more control of your time.  I know, I know – you don’t have much control, and you feel you have way too much to do to fit it all in. Trust me. I know.

According to author Laura Vanderkam, we all have 168 hours a week. I checked her math. She’s right. Many residents, maxing out...

Join Ali and I discussing my journey and her role in it. 

Listen as Chase and I chat about methods and mindset to finding joy in medical training. 

Developing awareness that the repeated negative things you think of yourself are not actual facts is the first step in of quieting the inner critic. In this video, I give you a sneak peek inside my brain .  (More detail is given in my written blog.)

Enjoy!  Tonya

Check out my 6-week reset for a resident or faculty in difficulty here

Last week we discussed the art of listening well, which is a huge part of clear, effective communication.

A good rule to start is even before you utter a word, do 2 things: 1. Check-in with yourself briefly. What’s the real intent behind your communication? – Are you happy with it? 2. Check your stress level.

We want to come with a clean mindset when we communicate all the time, but in higher stakes communication with patients, staff, colleagues, consultants,...

George Bernard Shaw once said, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

It's so true. We email someone, text someone, say something, and then are shocked when the person feels we didn't communicate.  And at other times, people expect that we know something because they're under the false assumption we are in the loop.

We can only be responsible for our own part of communicating. So let's zero in on a couple...