Having worked with a lot of medical colleagues and witnessed the deterioration of physician well-being over the last few years, I’m acutely aware that something has to change. As such, I’ve been reading, researching and having timely conversations about how to do this amid an accelerating pace that is unlikely to slow down in our hospitals.
Studies reveal that only 57% of healthcare workers considered themselves engaged, a steadily declining proportion. Sadly 30% are "just contributing" and 13% admit to being "actively disengaged" or "hostile" (1).
On a good day, our conversations turn to creative and dynamic solutions that encourage participation and re-engagement on hospital teams, in service to better patient care. The dialogue is always very productive. But despite the active dialogue, I can’t help but wonder how we can even get started without consideration of what makes a person disengage to begin with. The hospital and healthcare environment are challenging, this is true. But are they unique? I think not.
The problem of disengagement is widespread, encompasses all disciplines and workplaces and permeates every walk of life.
I received a much-needed slap in the face when a millionaire friend of mine confided, "I hate my life". The slap was a wake-up call that every single one of us is vulnerable. We all think there is something we need or want that we don’t have, and it leads to an over-riding sense of lack and feeling incomplete.
Studies reveal that with income up to a certain level (approximately $60 to 75k annually), happiness increases but beyond that there is no further increase and other markers may be worse (stress, missing out on small pleasures). (2, 3).
Bottom line, we all grasp for something different that creates an insatiable hunger. For many, we go to work, we go home, we participate in the responsibilities of life, but we don’t really "feel". Somewhere the joy has been lost. With so much to do and so many external measures of success, we don’t take the time to be "in" our lives. We rush through, hoping someday will be different; time will expand, and we will finally be able to relax. Reclaiming your life starts with one simple decision – to know you need it - to know you’re worth it and to believe that peace, joy and love are not just around the corner they are right under your nose. The EWC membership is opening soon and the focus for winter season (starting January 2023) will be on fresh perspectives that expand our mindset and deepen our resilience through grounded practices for energy renewal that will serve even the busiest professional women. Together, grounded in robust resources, we live more abundant and joy-filled lives in our workplace, our homes and in connection with the people we love.
Get a taste of what the EWC can do for you by registering for: The EWC Winter Well-being Circle for Woman Savour & Celebrate: A seasonal way to manage energy not time Thursday December 15, 2022 @6:30pmCT/7:30pmET Click here to learn more!
References:
Employee engagement in healthcare: three key ingredients to cultures that save more lives. Omaha, Neb.: Quantum Workplace; 2015.
A large analysis published in the journal Nature Human Behavior used data from the Gallup World Poll, a survey of more than 1.7 million people from 164 countries, to put a price on optimal emotional well-being: between $60,000 and $75,000 a year. That aligns with past research on the topic, which found that people are happiest when they make about $75,000 a year.
High income improves evaluation of life but not emotional well-being