Most people assume that physicians are motivated to do their job because of the attractive paycheck that they receive at the end of the month. While that may be true, that is typically not the only incentive.
As a physician, you are exposed to stressful and sometimes depressing situations, not to mention long hours of work.
Amid all that, it can be difficult to stay motivated and that’s a problem because this line of work requires you to be in your best state physically and mentally all the time.
If you have been experiencing a hard time staying motivated, here are some tips for you.
1. Remember that you Save Lives
In some instances, physicians end up with a “God complex” because of the work they do and how much people depend on them to restore their health.
However, you do not have to go that far. Simply acknowledge that your knowledge, skill, and talent help in improving the health of your patients and sometimes even save lives.
Reminding yourself this every day should keep you motivated.
2. Take Compliments
Remember the advice you gave to an obese patient to alter their diet or work out to lose weight? Or when you played a part in helping a patient stop smoking or using drugs?
When their life changes, such patients will come back to thank you.
Don’t be modest. Take the compliments and keep them because they will come in handy when you need to remind yourself that you are on the right track.
3. Remember that you are Intelligent
Everyone is intelligent in their own way, but you have to recognize that your intelligence as a healthcare practitioner is on another level. After all, that is why people have different IQ levels.
Not everyone can diagnose ailments just by examining patients. Sometimes, patients come with unusual symptoms that you have probably never encountered before.
Your ability to solve such mysteries is something to be applauded.
What’s more, your capacity to prescribe the right medications to treat various conditions is not something that the average person can do. Keep that in mind when everything seems to be going downhill.
4. Reminisce Your Success Stories
When things at the workplace are not going as expected reminiscing your past and particularly your success stories can do you a lot of good.
Here’s the twist though, you don’t have to do it in your mind. Take pride in your accomplishments by displaying them on your wall or office desk.
5. Remember that you are Human
Sure, you are intelligent and you are trained to help save lives. Nonetheless, you will sometimes feel like a failure when you lose patients or things do not go as expected regarding your work.
When such things happen, you are likely to beat yourself up about it and that’s understandable.
However, it is not healthy for you to dwell on that as it can affect you negatively and reduce your motivation level.
Remember that you are a human being that can make mistakes and you sometimes have no control over how things will play out.
Once you accept that, it will be easier to stay motivated.
6. Magnify Your Honors
Other than your medical school certificates, what are other professional recognitions do you have? Perhaps you were voted the best physician at your workplace, or you were interviewed by a local magazine?
Make it a habit to go back and look at such achievements because they will certainly make you proud and remind you that you are doing something beneficial when things are not so good.
7. Remember that the Weekend is Always Around the Corner
Sometimes, the other tips we have discussed may not get your spirits up. When that happens, the only thing that may work is knowing that the weekend is around the corner.
You only have five days of long working hours and dealing with stressful situations before you get to let loose and unwind.
Even if you will not be free during the weekend, you will certainly have days off, and looking forward to that can give you the motivation you need to face a new work week.
Bottom Line
Healthcare workers often find themselves on the verge of burning out and low on motivation.
Although this comes with the job, they must get adequate rest and be intentional about motivating themselves.
That way, they will be more productive at work and in the right state of mind both mentally and physically.
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