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: positivity

Showing 7 results:

The Power of a Smile: Story and Reflection

During the half-day virtual faculty development workshop that I co-led this past week, one thing stood out to me: my co-presenter, Dr. Rae Wright, was always smiling and actively present. Her smile looked so genuine—like she was truly enjoying hearing me speak and appreciating how I was presentin...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 12, 2025 appreciation attentiveness attunement authenticity belonging co-facilitation confidence connection culture encouragement encouragement culture energy transfer grace light micro-affirmation nonverbal communication positivity presence psychological safety renewal small gestures smile smile power support validation warmth zoom fatigue buffer

Winning Reflections

As we close out 2024, I want to point our minds toward the wins. What you learned, what impact you made, how you grew, etc. You all know it's one area I like to be intentional and savor. Last week, my own coach just elevated the process for me by 1. recognizing something I was unknowingly doing a...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 11, 2025 affirmation awareness celebration coaching communication confidence energy feedback growth insight intentionality leadership learning mindset positivity preparation process progress recognition reflection reinforcement repeatability rumination savoring self-awareness shift success sustainability team dynamics widsom

What's Missing Reflection

You know those times when two clothing items randomly end up next to each other in the laundry, and you see a new outfit? No, just me? Well, anyway, I had a similar thing happen as three situations juxtaposed together to open up my thinking. The first one involved a couple of group sessions in w...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 10, 2025 automatic thoughts awareness bias circumstance clarity coaching confidence distortion empowerment evidence facts filtering insight internal dialogue juxtaposition mindset minset shift narrative perception positivity reflection reframing self-perception self-talk self-worth storylines thought distortions truth telling validation value

Runners Mindset: Story and Reflection

I took training very seriously for my first 1/2 marathon (the Mayor's half in Anchorage) back in 2016. My friend Lana (wearing the blue tank) was a seasoned runner who thought my schedule was overly structured and intense. She'd run several halves and a few marathons. Still, I insisted, that we s...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 10, 2025 accountability assumptions comparison discipline encouragement endurance frustration half-marathon inspiration intensity intention mindset miscommunication misunderstanding motivation overthinking partnership perception persistence perspective positivity research resilience self-doubt setback stamina structure success support teamwork training

Question Reflection

In this week's Joy FM Snippet, I invite you to reflect on the automatic questions you ask yourself on the regular. Our brains are wired to look for and deliver answers. So if you ask things like, "What is wrong with me?" then your brain will go looking for all the answers. You likely will feel wo...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 08, 2025 adaptation awareness change coaching compassion curiosity empowerment growth habits insight mindset neuroscience optimism perspective positivity questions reflection reframing resilience self-talk

Growth Reflection

Here's an exercise that I hope you find useful. Think of either past examples that you would define as your best self. Or think of the self you'd like to aspire to be. Now, which of your strengths are you exhibiting? What happens internally for you? How does it impact your relationships? What's o...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 03, 2025 abundance alignment aspiration authenticity awareness development empowerment growth improvement intention mindfulness motivation positivity practice reflection relationships self-compassion self-talk strengths wellbeing

Toolbox Reflection

I love to give Physician Toolbox Talks (a term I felt fitting) to residents in which they expand their toolkit in order to navigate the demands of training and being in medicine at such a time as this. When activated and trying to emotionally regulate, in addition to your grounding and centering ...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — May 31, 2025 acceptance compassion creativity curiosity emotion emotional regulation empathy grounding mindfulness perspective positivity regulation resilience self-regulation wellness

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: positivity

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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