A few years back I was working with a one of the surgeons I respect the most. Out of the 80-100 surgeons I work with, he’s in the top 10 easy. One of the reasons for that is the way the thinks.
The way you think. The way you frame the world around you plays a big part in your success and failure in that world.
A few of his partners don’t do a lot of surgery, so they’ll ask him to help when they do, and he gets really frustrated. Here’s why:
“They do the same things they were trained to do thirty years ago by a guy who probably didn’t know what he was doing.”
When he said this to me, I burst out laughing. Probably because it hits so close to home.
“Because we always do it this way.”
Or
“Because this is how they I trained.”
Two very weak arguments.
“I trained this way, and I haven’t found a better way. I like this way because …”
No worries. But just because someone thirty years ago told you do it that way doesn’t really make any sense. Now that we’re done laughing, let’s turn that spotlight around.
How are you studying? How are you approaching your exams? How are you memorizing materials? How are you managing your time? How are you managing the pace and the stress and the anxiety?
Are you using the same tools you learned in middle school? The ones taught to you buy a hundred- and seventy-three-year-old teacher who didn’t give a rip about you or your success. I’d bet you are. I’d bet dollars to donuts that you’re using the same old techniques and strategies despite the volumes of information out there on the brain and the learning process. I’d bet you just “work harder” and “stay up later.”
You were laughing at the beginning of this email, but now you’re not so sure it’s funny.
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I’m starting out 2022 with theme of covering each of those topics and bringing you the best I can find. The December issue was a personal launching point, but the January issue is going to show you what you’re going to need to get through and get the most out of PA school.
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Physician Assistant Exam Scholars
Brian Wallace
