As a physician, you’re trained to spot problems. You scan for risks, anticipate complications, and stay alert for what could go wrong. That mindset helps keep patients safe. However, over time, it can become automatic, even outside of work.
When your attention is always tuned to what’s missing or what might fail, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s going well. One physician I coached was deeply committed to his patients but constantly focused on what he hadn’t done. Even after a full day of helping people, he’d leave the hospital thinking only about the one thing he wished he had done differently. He would scrutinize his decisions, get down on himself, and carry the weight of the day home with him.
The brain gets better at what it practices. If you repeatedly scan for problems, that becomes your mental default. However, it’s possible to shift the pattern. You can retrain your brain to scan for what’s going well.
This shift does not require major life changes. A few intentional habits, practiced consistently, can help you notice and appreciate the positive moments. At the end of each day, you might start by asking yourself:
- What went well today?
- When did I feel like myself?
- What do I want to carry forward into tomorrow?
Focusing on these moments can boost your happiness and build positive emotions. Positive emotions do more than just feel good; they broaden your perspective, strengthen your relationships, support better problem-solving, and increase creativity. Studies show that doctors put in a positive mood before making a diagnosis demonstrate nearly three times the intelligence and creativity of doctors in a neutral state, and make accurate diagnoses 19 percent faster.
When we experience positive emotions, our brains release dopamine and serotonin. These neurochemicals do not just improve mood; they activate the learning centers of the brain, helping us organize information more effectively, make stronger neural connections, and think more flexibly and creatively.
Even taking a moment to recall a patient’s thank you, a small success, or a moment of calm can help restore clarity, energy, and a sense of meaning.
Sometimes, it also helps to reconnect with why you chose this work in the first place. When you are more aware of what matters most to you, it becomes easier to see where you are already making a difference.
How you think shapes what you see, and what you see shapes the life you lead.
Mary Remón is a licensed counselor, certified coach, and certified employee assistance professional with over 20 years of experience in health care. She has coached physicians and leaders at hundreds of health care institutions across North America, including prominent academic medical centers. Previously, she managed employee assistance programs at two academic medical centers, supporting physicians, leaders, and frontline staff. Mary now provides individualized support to professionals and executives through her private practice. Her website, Mary Remón Coaching, provides more information about her services. She is also active on LinkedIn and Facebook. Her co-authored publication, “Academic and Corporate Cultures Contrasted: Implications for Employee Assistance Professionals,” appeared in the Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health.
