What to work on
What to decline
Where to go
Where not to go
What to write
What impact I wish to have
What & who gets my time and energy
Aspirations & goals
It also helps me to push past my #impostersyndrome & keep going when I fail or fall short.
"To honor patients, learners, and the community through respectful and psychologically safe clinical and learning environments that celebrate and elevate diversity, health equity, and growth mindsets."
This is my WHAT.
4/ There's a lot you can read on how to create a #missionstatement. But here's a helpful tip to get you started:
Find an anchor verb and build around it.
Mine is "HONOR."
Another good pro-tip: Stay as close to 25 words or less as possible (although mine is 26 words. 😂😬)
5/ So. . .do you have a personal #missionstatement? Or does your old one need a revision? Let's cook one up!
Here's your ingredients to include (adapted from @Forbes):
What do I do (or aspire to do)?
How do I do it?
Whom do I do it for?
What value am I bringing?
And then. . .
6/ Pick your anchor verb then try as hard as you can to get it to 25 (or 26😬) words or less.
Post it in places where you can see it so that it serves as your North Star (to quote @rabihmgeha and @DxRxEdu.)
Now--here's an example:
An invitation comes my way. Hmmm. What to do?
7/ After determining if I have time or want to do it, next I reconcile the ask with my mission statement.
"Does this opportunity align with my mission?"
Remember:
Stuff can align with your mission that you don't have time (or desire) to do. Be honest to protect your wellness.
Them: "Scuse me--did I see you on TV talking about the #COVIDVaccine?"
Me: "Hey there. I think so, yes."
Them: "I liked what you said."
Me: "Wow. I appreciate that."
The wind whipped around as we stepped aside for someone to pass.
2/ Them: "There was one thing I was wishing y'all had talked about. But I guess you can't go over everything."
Me: "You mind me asking what?"
They pulled their coat in tighter. I did my best to look like I wasn't in a rush.
Even though I kind of was.
Them: "It's okay."
3/ Me: "Happy to give it a try if you think it might help you."
Them: *thinking* "I kind of feel like to a doctor it might seem stupid. But I know a whole bunch of people who wonder about this."
Their internal deliberation continued as the wind kept punishing us. I waited.
Her: “You probably think I’m stupid.”
Me: “That’s not true, sis. I’ve worked with you too long to think that.”
Her: “Okay. Well I bet you think me saying no to a #CovidVaccine when I work in a hospital is dumb.”
I shook my head.
2/ Me: “I think you’re amazing. And if you’re holding off on getting it, you probably have your reason.”
Her: *sighs*
Me: “Can I ask you what it is?”
Her: “What—my reason?”
Me: “Yeah. I mean, if you cool telling me.”
*silence*
Her: “Maaan. I just don’t know, Dr. Manning.”
3/ Me: “Okay.”
Her: “Okay?”
I touched her arm.
Me: “Yeah. Okay. I mean. . .We can talk about it if you want. Or not if you don’t.”
Her: “I. . I just. . .” *looks around* “Um, can we chat someplace private?”
Me: “Sure.”
We stepped into a patient room and closed the door.
Him: "Okay, just to be clear: Ma'am, I'm here only to take payment and remove the immobilizers from your tires. I can't handle any disputes or anything."
Me: "Uhh. . .okay."
He adjusted his mask.
2/ Me: "Excuse me, sir. May I ask a question?"
Him: *looking up from credit-card reader* "Yes, ma'am?"
Me: "Is 'immobilizer' a new fancy name y'all use for 'boot?'"
*laughter*
Him: *shaking head* "You funny."
Me: "Immobilizer? This is downtown ATL, shawty. That's a BOOT."
3/ He laughed again and took my credit card.
Me: "Dang, so you must really meet some characters."
Him: *shaking head* "Maaaan, listen. These folks be going off on me. And I be like, 'Look, I'm just here to take your boot off.'"
Me: "You mean immobilizer."
Her: “Girrrrl! Who is that random white man all over your face?”
*leans closer*
Her: “Waymint—is that my man #Fauci? Oh, okay, sis. You good.”
Him: “Oh yeeeeah, that’s our dude. Fauci definitely invited to the family BBQ.”
*laughter*
2/ Me: “Plus you know he’ll wear a mask.”
Him: “And he already got a #COVID shot.”
I mean . . how could I resist?
Me: “So what y’all thinking about getting a #COVIDVaccine?”
Her: *shrugs*
Him: “Shiiiiid. I already got BOTH a mine.”
Me: “Yeah?”
Him: “Heeeeell yeah. At my job.”
3/ Her: “You wasn’t scared?”
Him: *shaking head* “F that. I’m way more scared of suffocating to death.”
Her: *listening*
Me: “I got vaccinated, too.”
Her: *swinging head to me* “You did?”
Me: “Yup.”
Him: *gives me elbow bump* “That’s what’s up.”
1/ A Grady elder once told me that we should all learn (and savor) ALL 3 verses of the Negro National Anthem. In honor of her-- and this historic moment--these @EmoryMedicine#BlackWomeninMedicine have done just that.
Me: *approaching car* "Oh my bad. I thought they called for me."
Him: "Hey Doc . . . almost done." *looks over at co-worker* "She a doctor. Ask her."
Me: *turning to her* "Ask me what?"
She snapped him with a towel and scowled.
2/ Her: "Forget him! I ain't buggin' you out here."
Him: "Doc, you want air freshener today?"
Me: "Sure." *turning to her* "Happy to answer a question if you have one. But I also understand if you didn't want him putting you on blast."
*laughter*
She was limping.
3/ Me: "Something with your foot?"
Him: "See? Tell her!"
*pause*
Her: *shaking head* "My foot be killing me. 'Specially in the morning when I first get up."
Me: "Yeah?"
Her: "Yeah! Like that first step out my bed?" *squeezing her eyes* "Baybaaaay! You talkin' bout some pain?"