It’s a few hours before we say goodbye to 2017 and say hello to 2018! What better time to set your New Year’s resolutions than now? I wanted to write something in time for this momentous event but I’m gonna cheat a little and post the article I just wrote for our workplace about new year’s resolutions in a healthcare environment 🙂

The end of a year and the coming of a new one have always been associated with a time for reflecting on what went right, what went wrong, and how you would do things differently moving forward. It is a time for looking at your personal and professional accomplishments, as well as setting new goals for the coming year.

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As healthcare professionals, we try to set a mix of personal and professional goals such as career growth, advancing our education, healthier eating habits, achieving that elusive work-life balance, and hope that attainment of said goals will positively impact the care that we provide our patients. According to statistics, those who explicitly make resolutions are ten times more likely to be successful in achieving them than those who don’t. So to help you get started, I’d like to share with you some New Year’s resolution ideas to kick start your personal and career goal setting in 2018:

  1. Commit to be fit

In order to take care of other people, you need to take care of yourself. Start with simple goals such as incorporating more activity in your daily routine. When at work, park your car farther for a longer walk; take the stairs instead of the elevator; walk and engage with your patients when they’re pacing in the hallway. At home, there are plenty of exercise routines you can do such as jogging, aerobics, yoga, zumba and more, and it doesn’t even require a gym membership. You just need time, Youtube and a small space to exercise your way to a healthier you.

  1. Maintain a healthy diet

Cook and pack your own meals. Bring in healthy snacks for yourself and your co-workers. Doing so will allow you to make healthier choices and help you stay away from fast food that are heavy on fat, sugar and empty calories. Also, go easy on the caffeine and depend on proper rest and self-care to help you get through the day.

  1. Be a continuous learner

The healthcare environment is rapidly changing and adapts with medical advancements. To keep up and prevent stagnation, start by reading nursing journals regularly. Attend short-course seminars and professional programs whenever you are available. Take advantage of in-service trainings and free continuing education opportunities offered online. Consider advancing your degree. Learn about mindfulness and how it helps reduce stress in the workplace. Whatever you decide on can only make you a better person.

  1. Expand your professional network

Join professional organizations that are relevant to your work. Be an active member of a hospital committee. Take part in campus and hospital wide initiatives. Expanding your professional connections can open up more learning opportunities, valuable resources, and a special bonus — new friends.

  1. Help to build a healthy work environment

Finally, as Gandhi once said, “Be the change that you want to see in the world”. Set a good example and start the change with yourself. Be positive and smile more often. Being happy and positive at work can have significant effects on patients and colleagues alike. It gives you more energy and confidence to manage an especially difficult day. Plus, it’s good for your heart and keeps the wrinkles away. ♥

 

Wishing you all a happy and blessed New Year! Be safe everyone!

Finally