Does the world feel like it’s shifting beneath your feet lately?
As physicians, we’re no strangers to uncertainty. We’ve stood at the bedside weighing imperfect options, guided by training and instinct when protocols fall short.
But here’s the paradox: the same skills that help us thrive in clinical ambiguity
- Hypervigilance
- Meticulous planning
- Relentless problem-solving
…can backfire when life itself feels unstable.
The Noise Beyond the Hospital Walls
Headlines, climate debates, and endless “what-ifs” aren’t just background noise. They amplify stress, fueling:
- Catastrophic thinking
- A sense that something is about to go wrong
- Hasty or rigid decision-making
Reframing the Unknown
This isn’t about positive thinking or “letting go.” It’s about rebuilding our relationship with uncertainty.
When we stop conflating:
- “I can’t control this” with
- “I can’t handle this”
…we create space to show up with clarity for our patients, families, and ourselves.
Uncertainty is the only certainty there is.
John Allen Paulos
Coach's Corner
The “Containment” Practice":
- Grab a pen and divide a page into two columns: What I Influence | What I Don’t.
2. List 3-5 items in each column related to a current stressor (e.g., a policy change at work, global events, a career dilemma).
3. Circle one item under What I Influence. Ask: What’s the smallest, most meaningful action I can take here this week?
4. For the What I Don’t column: Write, “I release the need to solve this today.”
This isn’t resignation—it’s strategic energy management.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Feeling weighed down by uncertainty? You don’t have to figure it out alone.
- Find Your Next Step
Talk through what’s weighing on you and leave with clarity and concrete next steps.
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Develop the mindset and skills to thrive in medicine—no matter what changes come your way.
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