Are You Limiting Yourself?

How do you envision your future as a physician? Think about your career. Where do you want to be? Why do you want that future?

To answer these questions, let me use my favorite example – leaving work on time.

When I was still charting until late hours at night, I desired to have my future days to be going home by 5 pm with all my work done for the day. That future would give me more time freedom, so that I get to spend time with my family, or do other things for myself. That future also would be an example of what is possible. At that time, I did not think it was possible for me to go home at 5 pm.

“I don’t think I can” is such a limiting way to start a sentence. This sentence is based on your past experiences, and it is based on what you are familiar with. Is it helpful to think that way?

If you are not conscious of what you are thinking, “I don’t think I can” will always come up and will become your main way of thinking. How does that feel when you think that you cannot do something? Probably discouraged, disappointed or sad. When you think about what you are thinking - meaning, the fact that you have this thought of you cannot do something – it is probably adding more disappointment.

“I don’t think I can” is always going to come up in life. Instead of letting it be the dominant sentence, take the conscious effort to acknowledge its existence and put it aside. Do not fight its presence yet dial down its volume.

Instead of letting “I don’t think I can” limit you, seek out the possibility. Deliberately choose the sentence that starts with “It is possible”. It is possible to reach your goal. It is possible to leave work on time. It is possible to have more time for yourself. When you focus on the possibility, how do you feel? Probably hopeful, encouraged or even excited.

Be more intentional to choose to focus on the possibility. As your mind loves to go back to your default pattern of thinking, the next thought will likely be asking yourself “how” you are going to achieve your goal. Focus on the possibility and not the how. When you think that something is possible, how do you feel? Probably hopeful, encouraged and joyful. There may also be joy. You may also be curious about this whole new possibility. When you are curious, you are open to ideas, even to things or methods you are not familiar with. You will be more receptive and more willing to try different things in order to achieve your goal.

It starts with the belief that you can go home on time with all your charts done – even though you are currently spending an extra 3 or more hours a night to finish your work. The possibility of being able to achieve a goal is hopeful, encouraging and possibly liberating. It generates the curiosity within you such that, instead of being limited by what you cannot see as possible, you focus of opportunities to make it work.

I invite you to be conscious of your thinking. When you notice that you are limiting yourself by what you are thinking, take a pause and think about your situation. Think about how you are thinking of it, and how unhelpful it is to limit yourself. Then seek for possibilities. You may not know how yet, but it is possible to achieve your goal. Remind yourself what your goal will bring you and what is the reason for you setting that particular goal. You will never be able to map out exactly how you get to your future, but by focusing on the possibilities, you will have the curiosity, hope and courage to get to your goal faster.