The joy of doing it

This column has already highlighted the pitfalls of striving for perfection. The medic is often encouraged to achieve beyond other mortals. Long hours, physical and mental pressure are a routine part of the job. Although striving for better is an admirable quality in medicine, I would encourage you to disregard such high standards outside of work. Doing something different from your day-to-day job can bring many benefits.1 Hobbies and time outside are linked to better mood and doing something new promotes creativity,2 confidence and openness.3 It is important to remind oneself that you do not need to be good at your new interest, just doing it is beneficial. As an example, I like to run but I am very bad at it. I am slow and my times never improve. I plod happily round the same routes like a joyous Labrador sniffing the...
Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - Education and Practice - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Wellbeing at work Source Type: research