Today's Practice: Changing the Business of Medicine SW Edition Q1 2015 | Page 17

What Was She Saying? (continued)
Repeat a “mantra” like “present and curious” or
whatever inspires your intention
Picture your mind actually opening up to receive
Picture your attention or energy settling down in your
core (heart or gut) instead of in your spinning head.
(Feel your feet on the ground?)
Check your assumptions, expectations, competition,
and judgment at the door ;-)!
Don’t assume you are getting all the other person is
trying to communicate or that they are receiving your
intended thoughts

Cynthia Ackrill, MD
But I believe it matters even more immediately, to each
and every one of us. Humans thrive through connection. Constantly navigating the changing seas of
healthcare, too many physicians feel disconnected from
their values and their whys, from their loved ones, each
other, and the greater community. Active listening is a
way back. When we listen more actively, we connect
more deeply, think more broadly, and feel