You're a healthcare management professional. How do you stay motivated in your career?

Reminding yourself of your purpose can help you align your actions with your vision and mission. A personal mission statement can help you identify your values and goals, defining what matters most to you professionally. It makes decision-making easier as well, as it clarifies whether the decisions you're making are in alignment with what you want for your life. The role of your mission statement in your career is to remember and start with the “why.” Starting a new project, task or program is often most successfully done when you first consider who you’re doing it for, why you’re doing it and what the best end result looks like. It can also offer a framework for how you should spend your time each day.

Like many professions, there can be days in the healthcare industry when you struggle to be motivated. Whenever I am feeling this way, I think back to the reason I went into this profession, to care for people and make a difference in their lives. I remind myself how life-changing health care can be for so many individuals and take a step back to refocus my goals and perspective around this.

To stay motivated in a healthcare management career, consider the following strategies: 1. Set clear career goals. 2. Find your purpose. 3. Prioritize self-care. 4. Plan and prioritize tasks. 5. Seek feedback and support. 6. Maintain a positive attitude. 7. Continuously learn and develop. 8. Build a support network. 9. Celebrate achievements. 10. Stay resilient: Develop resilience by focusing on problem-solving, maintaining a positive attitude, and seeking support when needed.

Purpose and Impact: Reminding myself of the meaningful impact my work has on improving healthcare outcomes and patient experiences. Knowing that my efforts contribute to bettering people's lives serves as a strong source of motivation.

Open Communication: I actively seek feedback from colleagues, supervisors, and team members on my performance, projects, and ideas. By fostering open communication channels, I create opportunities for constructive criticism and learning. Self-Reflection: Regularly reflecting on my actions, decisions, and outcomes allows me to identify areas for improvement. I take the time to assess my strengths and weaknesses objectively, enabling me to set actionable goals for growth. I invest time and resources in continuous learning and skill development. Whether through attending workshops, pursuing certifications, or participating in industry conferences, I prioritize opportunities that enhance my knowledge and expertise in healthcare management.

Cultivating resilience is crucial in healthcare management, given the demanding nature of the field. Positive Mindset: I focus on maintaining a positive outlook, even in challenging situations. By reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning, I can overcome obstacles with optimism and determination. Adaptability: I embrace change as a natural part of the healthcare landscape and remain flexible in my approach. Being adaptable allows me to navigate unexpected challenges and transitions more effectively. Self-Care: Prioritizing self-care is essential for maintaining resilience. I make time for activities that recharge me mentally, physically, and emotionally, such as exercise, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones.

Building strong relationships is fundamental in healthcare management, as collaboration and teamwork are essential for achieving common goals and delivering high-quality care. Active Listening: I actively listen to colleagues, staff, patients, and stakeholders to understand their perspectives, concerns, and needs. By demonstrating genuine interest and empathy, I foster trust and rapport in my interactions. Effective Communication: I communicate openly, transparently, and respectfully with others, ensuring clarity and understanding. Clear communication builds trust and reduces misunderstandings, facilitating productive working relationships.

It's about finding a purpose, why? and then it gets better once I realize that I'm contributing to saving people's lives even if it's indirectly! at the end of the day, the R&D process or the whole manufacturing process is dependent on a lot of people in different business units, and then the final outcome is the result of joint efforts.

Challenging myself is an integral part of my professional growth and development in healthcare management. Setting Stretch Goals: I set ambitious yet achievable goals that push me beyond my comfort zone. These goals inspire me to continuously improve and strive for excellence in my work. Stepping Outside of My Comfort Zone: I intentionally seek out experiences that require me to step outside of my comfort zone. This could involve tackling unfamiliar tasks, working with diverse teams, or engaging in public speaking opportunities.

The best way of staying motivated is to challenge oneself! There are various routes for doing so, such as enrolling in courses beyond one's usual expertise, exploring new subjects of interest aligned to current markets, applying for roles outside of one's typical domain, and trying for projects and opportunities outside of one's comfort zone. Challenging oneself fosters creativity, maintains passion, and facilitates personal and professional growth. Additionally, I've experienced that volunteering for social causes or assisting those in need can be incredibly motivating. Also, taking a time off and spending some time in pursuing your hobby is not only motivating but it is rejuvenating.

Staying motivated in a VUCA model of work environment is not easy. Healthcare (esp. Hospital) business and it's operations are not easy to manage and required 24*7, 365 days or continuous involvement and in such environment it's not easy to keep motivated. I suggest followings.... 1. Keep updated what's happening in n around industry 2. Upskilling is needed 3. Work life balance 4. Adopt healthy life style habits 5. Share positive n good rapport with seniors, colleagues and juniors 6 Keep yourself involved n much more involved