Category Archives: Uncategorized

Everyone is a visionary. Everyone has a vision, an image of who they are, of their place in the world. However, it is up to each individual whether their visions are grand or small, whether they aspire to new heights or prefer to remain within the safety of the known. Throughout history, the greatest peopleContinue reading “Everyone is a visionary”

Ask anyone to name the most important people in their lives, those who have made the biggest impact on who they are as a person, on how they have grown over the years, and you will invariably get a list of teachers, coaches, parents, siblings, friends, employers, and the like. The unifying attribute amongst theContinue reading “Advocates”

During an interview Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, was asked what trait he looked for in new hires. Contemplating the question, he responded,  “Do they create clarity? Do they create energy”   Energy and clarity, two characteristics that are invaluable not only within the workplace but in all areas of life.  Not only is the presenceContinue reading “Clarity and Energy”

Guard carefully the fire that burns inside you. Remember how feeble the flame was at first, how it quivered in the frigid air, how the slightest breeze threatened to extinguish it. Remember how you nursed it along, with bits of the choice fuel, using your body to protect it from the winds. Remember the feelingContinue reading “Guarding fire”

Repetition is the basis of excellence. Do it until you get it right. Keep doing it until you cannot do it wrong. Repetition is where learning starts. As toddlers and children, repetition is how memory is built, muscles are developed into functional units, and how language is learned. The importance of repetition extends all theContinue reading “Again”

Waiting is the hardest part. Waiting 24 hours can feel like an eternity. In a fast paced world where responses via email, text, or social media are expected around the clock, pausing, contemplating, and allowing the situation to settle is one of the most difficult things to do. There is a pressure, a tension naggingContinue reading “Sleep on it”

Jack of all trades, master of none is the unfortunate default state. The beauty of specialization is that one can get better products and services for less time invested. Complete ignorance is discouraged as a cursory knowledge of what exists is required for productivity and establishing oneself within a relevant context. Furthermore, knowing the placeContinue reading “Breadth and depth”

A common refrain heard in medicine is “I should have done ________” or “I should quit practicing medicine and do _________.” The sentiment is well taken. The hours are long, the years of training are substantial, and often the job description and responsibilities have grown while the benefits and perks have decreased or stayed theContinue reading “S2.14 Choosing to stay”

What if on the last car ride before the end, the last moments at the bedside, the last roll down the hallway there was only silence. What if there was no scramble to get things in order, no panicked attempt to remember everything that must be done. What if there was no hurried goodbyes compressingContinue reading “S2.13 What If There Was Silence”

The critical, title job of a firefighter is to fight fires. Thanks to many improvements in building codes, preventative measures, technology, and awareness, the number of fires has dramatically decreased. Thus the role of the firefighter in the community has expanded to become that of a first-responder to a variety of situations including motor vehicleContinue reading “S2.12 Be Like The Firefighter”