As 2016 approaches, many of us vow (yet again) to make a New Year’s resolution and stick to it! I am probably one of the worst people to write a New Year’s resolution and posting it in public is really bold, but here goes…
I am a type A person. I know it, my family knows it, my co-workers at AN know it! I commit to something and I'm off and running with it. I have never been a person to sit around but rather run head long into the fray....every time! As I get older (and yes, even I am getting older), I've slowed down a bit, taking a little more time to look around before jumping in. Now, I still jump in, but I do it just a few seconds later.
So...my resolution for 2016 is to take life just a little slower.
First, I want to spend more time with my family. So, with two jobs and two volunteer activities, I must work smart. I found some tips from Inc:
Take breaks - it helps our brain declutter and helps us to focus. Thinking to myself I could do this.
Take naps - benefits the learning process. Well, this is one I don't think I can do. Doubt my bosses would appreciate me turning off phone during my nap. However, I think for some jobs this might work. Probably not in nursing.
Spend time in nature - helps you to reset your attention span and relax. I do this when the weather is nice by taking walks outside. I live in the country so walks are super nice and relaxing.
Move and work in blocks - breaks down work into manageable bites. This sounds very doable for me too. As nurses we do "tasks" a lot. So, if we break our tasks down into little parts, the whole gets done and we don't get overwhelmed.
Check your email first - I like this idea also. When I worked as a staff nurse, email was the way our hospital communicated things of interest to us. Now, as a provider, our practice still uses email for many items. We even have secure texting, pics, phone calls and email to cover HIPAA compliance.
Second, when I do spend time with my family, I want to BE there. You all know what I mean: you are talking with your spouse at the end of a shift and while he/she talks, your mind wonders to "what happened to that GIB pt in 315?," "did I chart the Zofran I gave to that pt at noon?," "did I weigh the last diaper that little one had in G204?" You are looking at them, but hardly paying attention. I am very guilty of this. Because I take some call from home, I'll be looking at my husband but thinking about something else: a patient situation or a phone call or note that needs to get done.
Third, and I deliberately put this last because I try this every single year: I am going to lose weight! (There, its in print - yeah!) I wear scrubs to work so weight gain is cleverly hidden by an elastic waist and baggy legs. However, my jeans tell a different story - I now own jeans in three sizes - ugh! And...I must lose weight in order not to have to purchase two seats on airplanes. My bosses do not want to pay for an additional seat because I have outgrown one seat. And...I sorta have a plan: I have an Apple watch now (see my review) and I'm just competitive enough that I want all the rings on the activity component to be complete. I am realistic though: I'm not 25, even 35, even 45...errr....I'm older than that! So, losing weight is truly become a health hazard.
Nurses seem to care for themselves last - I know I do in many areas of my life. We owe it to ourselves to be kind to US in 2016.
What resolutions are you planning? How do you plan to accomplish your goals?
403 is a tax-free savings/retirement plan your employer can contribute to at a non-profit institution. You may know it as a 401-which is the same thing but for a for-profit institution.
My resolution is to be truthful and honest with myself. Accept myself for who I am. Not compete with anyone. And put my happiness first. Regardless of what anyone else thinks. I want to do something completely different. Live a minimalistic lifestyle, live in a small home in the quiet country. Make bonfires every night, and work as little as possible, enjoying the simple things we often take for granted or never have the time to do.
403 is a tax-free savings/retirement plan your employer can contribute to at a non-profit institution. You may know it as a 401-which is the same thing but for a for-profit institution.
I tend to stink at keeping and sticking with resolutions too, because they seem so good at first in your mind but once January 1st actually comes, you get boggled down or intimidated on how to start.
My resolution for 2016 is to just start somewhere, even if it is a small action like getting up out of bed in the morning, eating another piece of fruit or vegetable, putting on your workout clothes and shoes.
My resolution is to finally lose the weight and live a healthier, more-energizing lifestyle. It seems like a big task. It is more mentally challenging than anything. I can deal with post-exercise aches and pains, but when my mind shuts down and says "Nope, I don't wanna" most of the time it keeps me from doing the things that are right for me, that are good for me, but at the moment I am comfortable, warm and fine where I am.
No more. I'm going to push through those mental blocks and get in the habit of working out regularly and eating the right foods.
It is not a sprint. Losing weight will take commitment and effort, but having the right "Can do it" mentality will help me push through those days when I don't want to get up early for a workout or resisting temptation.
Here's to a good new year! We can all achieve our goals.
If your resolution is losing weight, keep in mind that this requires a shift in thinking. Diets don't work because you go on a diet and then off a diet. Your diet is what you eat every day.
Even simple changes such as replacing juices and soda with water and green tea can amount to a 20 pound weight loss over the course of a year.
Taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking further away and walking add up.
Those small changes make a huge difference and you won't feel as though you're going "on" or "off" another diet.
I enjoyed your article. I've been reading a lot of NY Resolution articles lately. I like the list of your intentions for 2016. As a professional life and wellness coach who works directly with nurses on wellness goals, I would say your closing remark about nurses take care of themselves last SEEMS true. For making changes and achieving goals, make "bite sized" goals for starts. Make goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant to your objective, and time-limited. Good luck. Lori@ navinursecoaching.com, LLC.
Alicia777, MSN, NP
329 Posts
Hi Tattoo!
403 is a tax-free savings/retirement plan your employer can contribute to at a non-profit institution. You may know it as a 401-which is the same thing but for a for-profit institution.
A 529 plan is a tax-free College savings fund.