Blog

I also have a separate mind map for the blog and areas of writing that I am excited to explore 😊

Creating

I in fact typed the first draft of this post at the start of a short haul flight. Did I wish I had more leg room? Yes. Did I wish my elbows weren’t tucked closely into my sides? Yes. Did I feel too short to type comfortably at the height that this tray table is at? Definitely, yes.

However.

I just recently had an amazing weekend with a friend that was packed full of new experiences, fun, deep conversation and introspection. There wasn’t a ton of time to work on my writing, which is something that I find intrinsically rewarding and provides a sense of inner balance. So, on the way back from that weekend, I worked on creating another post that I hope will be useful to someone out there in the world.

There is something deeply rewarding about not only receiving interesting experiences and objects from the world, but also generating new things in the world. I recall an interesting line that went something like this, “Who do you think has the bigger high? The ardent fan in the audience, or the singer in the spotlight on stage?” (I wish I could remember where this example is from. If you know, then drop me a line in the comment box below or here!)

Now, there’s no part of me that wants a spotlight, limelight, or anything centre of attention on me. But when I reflect on that example, it’s the artist’s delight in creation and sharing (and quite possibly, knowing that there is an appreciative audience for his/her art) that stands out for me.

Writing is a form of creation that is relatively easy to do on board an aircraft, and my default. What sort of creative work would you like to explore on an aircraft? (Hint: traditional art forms need not be a limiting factor).

Planning

I do feel sometimes that I’m almost always planning something. Planning the next trip, planning my upcoming week, planning for my research, planning for an anniversary – the mind just doesn’t stop. And yet, there are so many other things that merit attention too – the actual “doing” and “experiencing” part of things!

Well. Being on an airplane means a lot of the “doing” is not physically doable at the time. Can’t do dishes, fold laundry, do patient dictations, answer work emails, etc. As for “experiencing”…I suppose it’s as good a time as any to practice mindfulness. I would find it difficult to be mindful for a whole flight, though I’m sure more masterful meditators could.

So really, for me – and maybe for you – being on an airplane is the perfect time to plan.

What are some things that you have coming up that could be fun (or necessary) to plan?

My list includes:

1. Upcoming travels: two international trips planned so far, one domestic trip, and two long weekends that I’m contemplating doing something special with, hopefully with Mr. Sparks).
2. Research project: need to get my data to the statistician, apply to present it as a poster, and check in on how the data collection is going.
3. Studying: I have multiple avenues of studying to pursue, and I want to be more intentional on which avenue to pursue first. #lifelonglearning. #royalcollegepanic
4. Clinical work: there are some outstanding items of clinical work that I need to finish this evening before resuming work after my long weekend.
5. Finances: I’m starting my journey on credit card points pursuit. I want to check in how my minimum spend is going so far for the two I have, and strategize my spending for the next two cards.
6. Groceries: the fridge has enough food for two meals to cook, and then I need to get groceries. Time to think of what I want to eat!
7. Going to stop here. There’s always more to plan XD

Reading

Of all my tips here for a productive flight, reading is seemingly the most passive. I would suggest that reading can be a very mentally active pursuit, however, depending on what is one is reading and the goal behind it.

Sometimes, I’m in the market for a fluffy light novel or a heart pounding action adventure. The goal is to feel good, smile, and daydream about fictional characters’ endings. This reading is quite passive.

Sometimes, there’s something I want to learn more about, that might be directly or peripherally impactful in my own life. This reading is quite active.

For example, after I finished writing the first draft of this post, I closed my laptop and opened up my cell phone to the latest epub I was making my way through. The book Under New Management, and, on the surface, has nothing to do with healthcare. The subtitle is How Leading Organizations are Upending Business as Usual. Doesn’t seem highly relevant for a resident physician.

Or is it?

Thinking about systems and systems change is not everyone’s cup of tea. It is undeniable, though, that we all live and work within systems. Even the solo entrepreneur is working within a system. Medical students, residents, and physicians all work within systems. Even a private practice physician still, at the very least, has to practice and bill within a system. Hospitals? Giant, lumbering, *cough* ineffectual *cough* systems.

Okay, maybe that was a bit harsh.

But I think anyone who as been a patient, a family member, a healthcare provider, or a non-clinical member of the hospital team, can attest to the existence of inefficiencies – or worse – in hospitals. I still find it puzzling to figure out who is accountable to whom, how do measurements of care or efficiency get conceived, and how do we know if these are good measures?

I think the realm of business thinks about these problems in more depth, breadth and frequency, and has a higher output of materials contemplating these and other organizational issues. As someone who has some interest in systems, I do find myself intermittently finding “business” books to read, and mulling over their potential applications in healthcare.

Right now, I’m reading the chapter Ditch Performance Appraisals. Without giving away the best parts, it’s discussing the benefits some companies have seen by ditching annual feedback/performance appraisals and instead implementing more frequent check ins.

This sounds…suspiciously like Competence By Design (CBD) or Competence Based Medical Education (CBME), the newest formative feedback model for medical education.

Oh CBME.