I was eavesdropping the other day in the surgeon’s lounge. You know minding my own business between cases when I heard an all too familiar discussion.
One of the department chairs was talking about making some much-needed changes. More importantly, this individual was talking about trying to make improvements in surgery and efficiency amongst his department members. The department members (other surgeons) were obstinate. What was their argument to these proposed changes?
“I’ve been doing it this way for 30 years.”
“It works just fine the way it is.”
It turns out people everywhere are the same. We think the way we do it is the right way. No good reason, it just is.
What’s even more dangerous is that any attempt to move people from this position can be insulting. They see it as you telling them they aren’t doing a good job. Similarly, I could see when my wife decided to stay home with the kids that both of our mothers were a little insulted. Not outwardly, but you’re kind of saying you guys didn’t do it right. I’m doing something entirely different.
In all of these cases, the goal is to provide the best care you can. Do the best job you can. Learn new information and if that information changes how you think you should act on it, not pretending it doesn’t exist. Things change. New information is brought to light. Opinions are not only allowed to change as new information comes in, but they should change.
Having an open mind is about the hardest thing going. Everyone likes to think of themselves as open-minded, but don’t challenge them on it. It’s just a nice sentiment for most people, not a reality.
But not you. You’re smarter than that. You wouldn’t say a thing like, “That’s how I do it, so that’s how I do it.” “I’m as good at that as I ever need to be. No sense in learning anything new.” “Why would I try to improve? My way has worked so far.”
Is OK good enough for you?
Inside Physician Assistant Exam Scholars, I teach tips, tricks, strategies, and all sorts of things to make you a better student, test taker, clinician, and person.
In the February issue of PAES, we’re going go deep on a mental tool that will increase your learning speed and have you retaining what you learn for longer, much, much longer. This is a mental tool I knew about, but only just recently had the pleasure of learning why it works so well and how. Once you understand it, you can build memories that are stronger than what your used to.
I’ll explain everything so that you can get started putting it to work for you the day you open the envelope.
Join me here to upgrade your study skills.
Physician Assistant Exam Scholars
Brian Wallace