Stories & Reflections from a Family Medicine Physician Coach

Joy in Family Medicine – Stories & Reflections

Lessons, lightbulb moments, and honest reflections from life inside and outside medicine - served with a side of perspective.

Tags: adaptability

Showing 12 results:

Reflections: Paddle-boarding on Waves & Wakes Last November, I promised part 2 of my paddle-boarding lesson - so here it is. If you’ve ever been paddleboarding in the ocean, you know to expect waves. You bend your knees, stay flexible, and adjust your stance to keep your balance. It’s part of the...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 12, 2025 adaptability anticipatory grace balance clam within chaos core strength emotional agility equanimity expectation flexibility grounding inner anchor mindset non reactivity perspective shift postural awareness preparation purposeful adjustment readiness resilience self regulation situational awareness turbulence uncertainty navigation values values alignment wake readiness

The Draft Reflection

At the start of the pandemic, my primary role was in a private practice setting, though I still filled in as faculty at the residency (as I do now). In our group of six physicians and one PA, we were constantly using every resource available to stay up to date on the ever-evolving science—what it...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 12, 2025 adaptability advocacy balance bandwidth burnout collaboration communication community drafting educaiton energy management information fatigue leadership misinformation overload pacing perspective priorities public health recovery reflection regulation resilience resource sharing solidarity support sustainability teamwork trust uncertainty

Word of the Year Reflection

Choosing a word of the year provides a simple yet powerful compass that can guide your decisions, actions, and mindset throughout the year. It's like a quick check-in on your purpose statement focused on 2025. As we step into a new year, take 15 minutes to sit quietly with yourself and reflect. A...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 12, 2025 adaptability alignment amalgamation blending choice clarity coaching decision making direction empowerment flexibility focus guidance identity integration intention leadership mentoring mindfulness personal growth purpose reflection resilience roles self-awareness strength transformation transition values word of the year

Story and Reflection: Lessons from Strife

During my part of my time as core faculty, I gained many humorous memories and more valuable (even if somewhat unorthodox) lessons. We were a large group (12 in all), and for a short while, the makeup of personalities and dynamics created some unruly situations. Many memorable and laughable lesso...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 11, 2025 adaptability agreement collaboration communication conflict consensus culture decision making emotional intelligence emotional regulation facilitation feedback group dynamics humanity humor leadership lessons perspective process productivity psychological safety reflection regulation relationship preservation repetition resolution self-awareness strategy strife systems teamwork yes-and

Balancing Reflection

I received two important pieces of advice once while taking an ocean paddle boarding course. I will cover the first of those today and the other in a future reflection. The advice: As soon as you stand upright on the board, put your paddle in the water and start moving. It's like a bike - You wou...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 11, 2025 action adaptability balance burnout commitment courage curiosity decision making experimentation flexbility forward motion growth imperfection learning metaphor momentum movement navigation progress purpose readiness reassessment recovery reflection rejuvenation resilience risk self-leadership timing uncertainty

Best Laid Plans: Story and Reflection

I enjoy it when people expand and contrast the meanings of words. It gives me a better grasp of various approaches. I came across a quote from Sahil Bloom that did just that: "Preparation always beats planning. Planning is based on the expectation of order. Preparation is based on the expectation...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 11, 2025 adaptability calm control creativity emotional intelligence engagement evolution expectations flexibility foresight grace humor idealism improvisation leadership learning mindset perspective pivoting planning preparation presence problem solving recovery reflection resilience responsiveness self-regulation teaching uncertainty

The Bicycle Reflection: Teams

Dr Peter Hawkins and Dr Catherine Carr, sought-after leadership developers and creators of Systemic Team Coaching, used an analogy a couple of weeks ago in our Systemic Teams Practicioner Course that has been very useful to me. When discussing both the purpose and impact of teams, he likened them...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 11, 2025 accountability adaptability alignment coaching cohesion collaboration connection context coordination design dynamics function high performance impact integration intentionality interdependence leadership optimization organization purpose relational intelligence relationships structure synergy systemic thinking systems thinking team development teamwork transformation value creation

Alaskan Pause: Story and Reflection

One fall, 17 years ago, as I was driving in my new state of Alaska, I was in a bit of a hurry (as was a natural state for me at the time). So you can imagine, I was a bit annoyed when the line of cars in front of me didn't move when the light turned green. The middle lane was empty, so I decided ...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 11, 2025 adaptability assumptions attentiveness awareness behavioral patterns connection curiosity decision-making empathy growth humor impulse control interpretation learning mindfulness mindset misjudgment patience pausing perspective presence psychological safety reaction reflection restraint safety self-awareness self-regulation surprise understanding

Rumble of Renovation, Story and Reflection

I know I talk a lot about renovation - that's because I have spent no less than 19 years living in three different houses undergoing renovation by my husband - who has a day job! Plus, the experiences are so rich with lessons! So I want to take you back a few years. But first - Brene’ Brown defin...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 10, 2025 adaptability authenticity burnout collaboration communication compromise conflict resolution courage creativity curiosity emotional intelligence growth mindset healthcare impasse ingenuity innovation leadership listening mutual respect partnership perspective problem-solving reconstruction redesign renovation resilience rumble sustainability systems change teamwork vulnerability

Seat Swapping Story and Reflection

During our 30th anniversary trip, we explored new locales and discovered fantastic small restaurants that locals were trying hard to keep off TripAdvisor. One such gem was in Mainz, a cozy outdoor setting with beautiful ivy over the brick walls and around the fencing. If you have ever eaten out w...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 10, 2025 adaptability assessment attention awareness boundaries comfort communication composure decision making empathy experience foresight humor improvisation instinct intuition judgment observation partnership perspective predictability protection relationships restraint risk scenario-reading self-knowledge travel trust uncertainty

"Alaskan Tough" Story and Reflection

Memorial Day weekend was the best weather we've had in Anchorage in quite some time. My friend, Kari, a lifelong Alaskan, asked if I wanted to hike Bird Ridge which starts at the Bird Creek parking lot, a popular moderate to difficult 5-mile 3400 ft elevation hike. I've never done it, although mo...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 10, 2025 adaptability assumptions attentiveness automaticity awareness clarity confirmation bias correction curiosity expectation humor identity insight interpretation language listening mindset miscommunication mistake narrative observation overconfidence perception preparation presence readiness realization reflection reframing storytelling

The "Right" Tool, Story and Reflection

My husband and I enjoy our annual camping trips across South Central Alaska (Hope being a favorite). We upgraded a couple years ago from the pop-up tent to a trailer. (Yep - we are 'that age' 😉) But we have learned over the years the importance of taking a screen shelter with us - whether for bug...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 10, 2025 adaptability assumptions brainstorming coaching creativity curiosity discomfort empowerment experimentation exploration flexibility imagination improvisation innovation insight limitations mental agility metaphor mindset obstacles options perseverance perspective problem solving reframing resilience resourcefulness self-efficacy tools workaround

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Joy in Family Medicine – Stories & Reflections

Lessons, lightbulb moments, and honest reflections from life inside and outside medicine - served with a side of perspective.

Tags: adaptability

Joy in Family Medicine – Stories & Reflections

Lessons, lightbulb moments, and honest reflections from life inside and outside medicine - served with a side of perspective.

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