"Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction. Break the habit. Talk about your joys" -Rita Schiano
When's the last time you asked a colleague, "How was your day?", and they responded with all the positive things that happened? With all the kind patients that thanked them, all the ways staff went out of their way to help, all the good things that happened?
When's the last time someone asked you that, and your responses were positive?
There are certainly times we need to talk about tough cases. Or problems that arise that we need help solving.
But most of the time, when someone asks how our day was, our instinct is to complain. Complain about the few rude patients, instead of talking about the many kind ones. Complain about the one difficult staff member, instead of talking about the ones that worked so hard.
There's a misconception that we'll feel better if we 'vent' our problems. But in reality, the vast majority of the time, nobody feels better afterward. It usually only serves to have you relive the experience, become upset all over again, and bring everyone else's mood down as well.
The great thing is, we can change that at any time.
You can change that on your shift, today. You can talk about your joys.
