Dear Community,
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now.”
This ancient Chinese proverb resonates deeply with me. I didn’t always embrace the power of yet. I craved a more positive life and career, but I struggled with figuring out the path and decisions for this positive change. Plenty of people offered advice, but that created more confusion for me and led me down a path of discouragement and many frustrating dead-ends.
Then I discovered coaching.
Coaching takes a more customized, encouraging approach. I used coaching for greater self-awareness, positive habit formation, and a sounding board for my deliberate practice improvements. Coaching has changed my perspective on teaching an old dog new tricks. I don’t think it’s ever too late to learn or improve things for the better. Many of my coaching clients agree that change isn’t easy, but they no longer look at it as unlikely or a passive process.
Looking ahead to 2024, I am excited to share my coaching vision for the year.
- Changing the Narrative of Coaching: Let’s challenge some of the stereotypes surrounding coaching. It’s not just for leaders, executives, or those facing challenges. Coaching is for everyone who wants to grow at every stage of their life and career. It’s about growth, personal development, process improvement, and unlocking one’s full potential.
- Sharing the Coaching Mindset in Healthcare Systems: In the complex landscape of healthcare and medical training, a coaching mindset is an antidote to conflict, toxicity, and harmful self-sacrifice. The coaching mindset can foster collaboration, enhance communication, and ultimately improve patient care. I envision integrating coaching principles into medical training, healthcare systems, and creating a culture of continuous improvement and empathy for all.
- Infecting Others with the Coaching Bug: The transformative power of coaching is contagious. You don’t have to aspire to be a full-time coach to benefit from learning about coaching. My goal is to create a ripple effect within this community and all of medicine. Let’s share our experiences, inspire others, and build a network of individuals committed to personal and professional growth. Plant several trees now and watch them grow and flourish!
SurgeonMasters will be creating opportunities to get involved no matter how much or little you know about coaching. I encourage you to reach out for a conversation with me or Paul Hiller, the SurgeonMasters executive director if you would like to learn more.
What are you planning for 2024? Let me know.