Healthcare Clinician Burnout/Hope Cook/PA-C/Life Coach/Physician Assistant/Physician Associate

Before we get to the show notes, group coaching is now starting after Labor Day, so if you haven't signed up, it's not too late. More info and sign up ⁠⁠⁠⁠ here.⁠⁠⁠⁠ It'll start early Sept and it's only $149 for 8 wks. It's just for PAs this round and will be one hour every Friday. If you can't do Fridays, reach out anyway and we'll discuss alternative days. If you want...

I can't believe I fell for the oldest trick in the book. I actually believed what the voice in my head told me, which was "You suck." This was related to pursuing my passion, ie, writing this book I've been working on for the last year. For two months I wallowed, I stalled, I whined. I believed it and allowed it to almost sabotage my efforts in getting this book out to those who...

Show notes: Challenge Self-Imposed Rules : Often, what we perceive as facts are just self-imposed rules, especially those involving "I can’t" or "I have to." Recognizing this can help you break free from unnecessary constraints. Embrace Discomfort for Growth : Stepping out of your comfort zone and experiencing discomfort can lead to greater fulfillment through growth, learning,...

Y'all, I'm going to be honest, this podcast was a last minute, messy version because we were stuck in California after the Microsoft update/crash thanks to a canceled Delta flight. But the Universe delivered a clear message from several sources and I am passing it along to you, my fellow PAs and medical friends. Here are 5 things you might catch yourself saying that seem innocent enough, b...

I love a good metaphor so I tried to think like I do when I'm wearing my white coat. We often neglect ourselves when we're the patient, but what if you had a terrible rash? Wouldn't you want to dig deeper/look below the surface, try different treatments, and figure out a long-term plan? Now, for you, my devoted listener. If you'd like to be in my next ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠group coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

There are things I've done (and I see PAs do) that are not only unhelpful, they sabotage our happiness and create a deeper pit of despair and stuckness than is necessary. Some of these are obvious, but that's the problem. They're so obvious and common (because we all do them) that we're not even aware we're doing them. I'll also share the time I thought I killed a patient a...

In this eye-opening interview with Amy Story, a PA who's transitioned out of clinical medicine into a very satisfying career with various healthcare technology companies, you'll learn how to reframe what you currently do as a PA into skills you can use in almost any job. I had no idea there were PAs doing what Amy's done, and she generously shared so many valuable pearls. I had a page...

When I started my podcast, the idea was to share stories from women who'd done brave things, some had crazy career pivots, some had clawed their way back from the edge of disaster, others had made scary leaps into the unknown. What I didn't realize was that each woman, while she shared her words of wisdom, was mentoring me in the process. The podcast helped give me the courage to step outs...

#199: I’ll explain how to use my favorite tool to help you make confident decisions. You already have answers inside, but your fear-based brain gets in the way, arguing why you “should” choose x,or z. The heart, however, knows what’s truly best. How do you discern the difference in the midst of overwhelm or burnout? I’ll demo this tool. This, my listeners, is a game changer in your journey. It cha...

Tajuana is one of the easiest people to talk to, she made it seem like we’d known each other forever. If you’re feeling stuck, her zen vibe and can-do attitude will pull you out of your rut on this episode. Tijuana’s ⁠FB link ⁠ and her ⁠email⁠ Key points: Give when you’re able, inspire when you can.  Serving others can give  you a sense of purpose.   Burnout can look like being Irritable, not want...

Have you heard of the 8 C’s (hint: Dr. Richard Schwartz came up with this)? The 8 C’s describe how to see your situation with new eyes, how to work on your situation without changing anything external. This type of therapy changed my life. I recommend all his books, but you can also find plenty of free videos and free podcasts with him doing demonstrations of this type of work. Other book mentione...

What happens when you pour your heart (and money, time, and effort) into becoming a PA and you fall out of love with medicine? Can you salvage your career? I'll tell you how! If you liked what you heard and want help with your own burnout journey, ⁠ I'd love to talk⁠ . I'm writing a book on how to heal from burnout (due out 1/25), and I have a ⁠group coachin⁠ g starting June 11th. If y...

John is an inspiration, especially if you've thrived at the top of your game only to realize it wasn't "filling your cup." John realized he was letting work be the driver of his life, and it was leading to burnout and unhappiness. He made the courageous decision to talk to management and admit he was burned out, but they weren't willing to make changes. So he decided it was u...

I'll share an embarrassing story of me yelling at a stranger and what it taught me about myself. I'll also share how to pinpoint what's underneath the scowl and how to keep a toolbox of mood flippers handy Group coaching for a very discounted rate? Click here , the next session starts June 11. Visit ⁠⁠⁠my website⁠⁠⁠ for more "words of Hope." My book is coming out later this y...

I hear this question a lot. Someone starts a job or maybe they've been at a job for a while and they get this horrible feeling that they made a mistake. Some freak out and jump ship, others go into shut-down mode. Here are 10 things you can do if you find yourself in this situation. Thank you for listening! I'd love to get to know you; send me an email at hope.cook@gmail.com or visit ⁠⁠my...

Hi! Thank you for listening! I'd love to get to know you; send me an email at hope.cook@gmail.com or visit ⁠my website⁠ for more "words of Hope." My book is coming out later this year, and if you'd like to be on my list of first readers or beta readers, please let me know! Are you interested in having me ⁠speak⁠ at your event? Do you want to hear more about ⁠group coaching? Key p...

You asked for more ideas on how to change the giant ship that is your life, your career, and your struggles. So here are about a dozen other ways you can steer the ship toward a new shore, including how to manage your time and money. Thank you for listening. I'd love to get to know you; send me an email at hope.cook@gmail.com or visit my website for more "words of Hope." My book is c...

This episode is full of small, almost too-simple changes I've made over the years to help me still like seeing patients and shift the way I think about my "have to" list. If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend and leave a review on Apple iTunes so others can find it! Want more Words of Hope? My burnout book will be coming out later this year and I'd love for yo...

Michele knew nothing about YouTube, but she knew there was a gap in the PA world. Cool and unique PA careers exist, but no one seems to know about them. Thus began her journey to educate PAs and NPs about all the options out there by interviewing PAs doing interesting jobs. Her Youtube channel is The Medicine Couch and here's her LinkedIn profile. Take home points: If a job is a "bad fit&...

After spending time dreaming and getting to know the new you, post burnout, you'll get to a point where you're ready to make big changes. Maybe you change specialities or maybe you stay put and work part-time or change your duties. How do you know what to do? Because this is a frequent question, I decided to put all my answers in an episode to help you navigate the changes and decisions th...

The good news is that you won't stay in the "barely surviving" stage of burnout forever. At some point, the smoke clears, and you rise from the ashes. But you're a different version of yourself. How do you decide who you'll be going forward? What will be different? You may be surprised at the answer! If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend and leave a review...

Get ready for some ah-ha moments with these powerful questions. I've noticed a pattern when I ask PAs these magic questions, and I've included them in this episode. Sit and listen when you're free of distractions so you can see what bubbles to the surface as I ask them. Being married to a forester, we talk about controlled burns, what measures need to be taken beforehand and what they...

Did you enjoy today's podcast? Share it with another PA and subscribe! If you want more information about healing from burnout or want more resources and information (including my free mini book on recovering from burnout), come on over to my ⁠⁠site⁠⁠ . Find out more about coaching or upcoming events. I'd love for every one of you to pop over and say hello! Take home points: Be intentional...

Have you noticed that you're hypervigilant when it comes to "making" other people happy? Do you scan everyone else's emotions but rarely think about what YOU need? Does the term "self care" make you mad because you don't have time for that when you're too busy taking care of everyone and everything? If you answered yes to any of these, you might be mixing up the...

Have you ever felt everything inside you say "YES!"? Or maybe "NOOO!" These are huge clues from your subconscious (also known as your gut, your spirit, your intuition, or your essential self). I'll share times in my life when I've had this whole-body knowing and give you tips on how you can access this same knowing in your body. If you'd like more "words of Hop...