This week we conclude the guide to optimizing our mindsets as physicians by discussing three common roadblocks and how to work through them. But first, I’d like to review the steps briefly:

1. Brain Dump - We must be aware of what is happening in our minds.
2. Thought vs. Fact - Boil situations down to bare facts (by removing adjectives, loaded words, assumptions, and judgments) and the story we have about them.
3. Automatic Thought Model - Use the framework to see what your...

Over the next two weeks, we will close out the details of optimizing your mindset as a physician. This week, we will unpack two critical caveats to elevate your thoughts to quality ones that enhance your experience. 

I shared the process of moving into an intentional thought model a few weeks ago. Remember, it was a way to move your focus away from a thought that was adding unnecessary stress and replace it with something both believable and better for you.

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Over the past month, we went through some foundational steps to optimize your experience even when you couldn’t control the situation by up-leveling our mindset. We then looked at a couple of advanced options to grow our perspective in a way that serves us better.  This week, I want to give you a couple of helpful hints. 

Improving your mindset is a skill set. And, like any skill, it takes practice, patience, and continued learning.

It’s common to get to...

Last week, I introduced a framework called the Thought Model for those of us not trained as behavioral scientists. In it, we examine how our automatic thoughts affect us. This week, we examine an advanced option that involves intentional thoughts.

Before I get there, I want to clarify that you do NOT have to move on to this step. Just the awareness of your thoughts and separating facts from the story provides a better and broader perspective. Plugging the facts and automatic...