The New Year Is the Time to Take Stock

I’m not sure what it is about the completion of the earth’s revolution around the sun that prompts us to make resolutions for the coming year, but it’s probably not a bad idea. Even if we don’t keep every resolution – or any, for that matter – it’s a good practice to take stock of our lives every once in a while. Most of us would like to try to make life better for ourselves and those we love, and the arrival of a new year gives us that little push to do so.

I’m sure that work on your 2012 resolution list is well underway, but in case you need some additional ideas, here are a few suggestions:

• If you have to discuss your work with someone, don’t do it online.
• Tell someone who needs it about palliative care.
• Get a pedometer and aim for 10,000 steps a day.
• Be a little more patient with patients’ families and visitors.
• Use 10 minutes of your break to take a walk.
• If you don’t have a degree, look into what it would take to earn one.
• Write a thank you note -- the kind that requires paper and a stamp.
• Check out the disaster plan for your workplace.
• Go to bed 15 minutes earlier.
• Think of a way to improve morale on your unit or at your workplace that doesn’t cost money.
• Eat at least two servings of vegetables a day.
• Forego the elevator for the stairs.
• Surprise a co-worker and bring him/her a lunch that you made.
• Stop forwarding those chain emails.
• Be honest with your supervisor; tell him/her what you really need to do your job well.
• Categorize the problems and annoyances in your life as Big Stuff or Small Stuff; then, don’t sweat the Small Stuff.
• Say hello to a housekeeper or maintenance person on your unit and tell them how much you appreciate what they do.
• When you don’t feel like washing your hands, DO!
• Treat yourself to a foot massage.
• If you are new to the nursing profession and have a question, ask a veteran whose work you respect.
• If you are a veteran nurse, let a newbie know that you are available to help.

What are your resolutions for 2012?

Tell us about them.