When your whole day looks like a long list of patients with pain or disability- what do you do to motivate yourself to keep going?

Here is a list of the things I do to help- some sensible, some not so!

1. Have a word with yourself!  Talk yourself into it… seems silly but telling yourself everyday that you can do it can make it easier. We do it to the patients so just do it to yourself. STOP and have a positive word in your own ear! We all know the effects of positive reinforcement, so just say, “it’s going to be an interesting day!”

2. Organise yourself- STOP procrastinating! It only hurts in the end. Putting off that patient you are dreading seeing is futile, you will still have to see them in the end.
They will be the one that either drives you mad, or you really dislike.( Hey we can not like everyone! ) So try and see them at the beginning of the day… the rest of the day will not seem so daunting if you have finished with them at 0930, instead of waiting until 1700! Trust me you will feel the world lift off you shoulders once they walk away happy at 0930, and you also will have more patience and brain power for them at the start of the day.

3. If feel like you are struggling… just take a minute. Step away and gather your thoughts. You do not always have to think on your feet in front of the patients, especially if you are just starting out! Hide in the Loo or in the equipment cupboard for a minute… no one will know. Just do not stay there all morning! Some one will come look for you.

4. Remember you can not make everyone better, you can only do your best for them.

5. See your day as divided into chunks, do not look at the whole thing at once.  Think of one block of time, and plan that. Say look at your diary and plan to 1000, then plan a treat! I think- “Oh I will just sit down for 2 minutes, and say Hi to my OT Laura!”( I do try and stay away from the cakes!)

6. Talk to people who cheer you up. I know it seems obvious, but laughing is great medicine and we all need a good dose of it everyday! Patients can drag you down if you see too many and a little banter in the Office or gossiping lightens the mood.
We have a silly ten minutes about once a day (behind the closed door of the office)… probably brought on by food E numbers, but the it makes the afternoon seem light hearted and fun. Work does not always have to be serious.

7. Count to 10! ( this does not always work!) But I have excused my self during assessments just to count to 10. Or if you are really bad…. a little mantra can help.
One…. Two….Mine is a little cruel but works for me ” I do not have to take them home with me, I do not have to take them home with me!!!”

8. See the interesting bits to what the patents are telling you. Talk to them, find out something everyday that you did not know. They say that “Strangers are just friends you have not met yet”. I do not advocate making friends with patents, thats not what I am getting at, but it can be helpful to think of a patient as an interesting story just not told yet! I have learned some of the most wonderful things from talking to patients over the years. Find out what makes them tick and see if you are interested in it!

9. Tell your colleagues the funny things that have happened today, I can not get through the day with out having a patient tell me some thing silly, something they should not, or just cracking me up. So tell your colleagues. Share the joy!

10. Stop clock watching…Counting the minutes will not help. Those hands of the clock will still go at the same speed.

11. Insert a Day dream… maybe kids have it right… day dreaming is great… not productive, but great!
Myself and some of my colleagues have pictures of their Holidays on their desk or in their diary… just to remember the good things that work brings!

12. Drink wine! (well not at work obviously!) That one just sort of crept in there!