Having the Time (Line) of Your Life

Carol Ebert, MSN, RN

I saw patterns in the type of nursing work I chose

As I looked at my timeline, I realized that I always had a desire to educate people on staying well. As a nursing assistant in high school I taught infection control, I loved my student rotation thru OB because I got to teach new Moms about baby care and nursing, I was frustrated taking care of sick people and migrated into school nursing where I could create lesson plans to teach kids and parents; as a college health nurse I also taught students how to be well and prevent health issues facing them in college. So all of this led to becoming a wellness coordinator in a major medical center and finally to start my own wellness business.

I have accomplished a lot - even when faced with what I thought were impossible odds

I never believed I was smart enough to get a Master's Degree (a self-imposed false belief and major roadblock) but when I embarked on taking classes about disease prevention, I got hooked on the course work and my mentor challenged my false belief and encouraged me to complete the Master's program in Health Education. Because of her belief in me and support, I accomplished that goal.

The duration of each of my nursing roles was based on my satisfaction with the work I was doing as well as the management style of my boss

The nursing positions I took that were related to patient care were short lived and the ones with a focus on prevention and wellness lasted longer. However I did notice that even if the work was what I loved, if the way I did my work (being micro-managed) did not fit how I do my best work, (tell me what you want me to accomplish then leave me alone to do that) then the time I spent in that position was much less.

I took risks with my career and appreciated the reasons for taking those risks

I remember taking a big pay cut when I left my hospital nursing position to take a position as school nurse, knowing it would be more satisfying for me and was a step in the direction of health education that I was seeking. In another instance, I quit my college health position, even tho I loved it, because of poor morale in my department. I did have to scramble to find two part-time jobs for income but both positions were pivotal in my getting my next job as a hospital wellness coordinator.

I discovered I love to work and don't want to stop, but want to work on my own terms

I left my last job after 18 years because of a new "micro-managing" boss which was the impetus to start my own wellness business - which has become everything I ever wanted. Being my own boss, working my own hours, creating my own programs, and living my life the way I want. I see that being free from corporate restraints allows me to continue seeking opportunities to help people improve their health and their lives, and what better use of my time as I continue doing what I love to do.

So there is a lot to be learned when you examine your own journey, and create your own time-line. Ready to "line" everything up? Here's how to proceed:

Review your resume' or journal if you have one so you don't forget significant events and dates.
Sit at a table with a long piece of paper and draw a straight line from left to right.
Put 0 at the beginning of the line, and put 120 at the end. (that is the current lifespan of the oldest person who has lived, and since we don't know how long we will be living, assume you are going to make it to 120.)
Start writing in all the milestones of your life along the line.
Reflect on your journey
Note: accomplishments, patterns, risks, rewards, and other revelations
Celebrate all that you have done and appreciate how great you are!
If you are around 60, then you have 60 years left to live. That's a lot of time to be just sitting around, so what will that next journey look like for you?

Feel free to share.