I am continuing a series for our newsletter to include a leadership topic along with passing along news in the #nursing community. This series we are focusing on our Be-Attitudes, those attitudes we need to cultivate to win business and life. I wanted to focus on the positive in nursing and leadership. Subscribe to receive notification when our newsletter comes out. We publish twice a month.
When I think of being voracious, I envision a lion on the hunt, singularly focused on her prey. I also think about the lion’s large appetite to bring down gazelles, giraffes, and zebras. Large animals. The lion stays hungry. In this context, to be voracious means to want a large quantity of food. I want to be voracious for knowledge, wisdom, and the success that inevitably follows. The Oxford Dictionary defines voracious as “having a very eager approach to an activity.” Are you a voracious learner? Do have a big appetite for success?
I have been thinking about what success means to me. It is so much more than monetary gain. It is knowing that I have had influence, improved the world around me, made a contribution to impact someone’s life. So, the question I must ask myself and all of you, are really hungry for it? There are times when I must admit that I don’t feel like doing anything. I just want to chill. I just want to escape from the demands in life. It is at this time that I lean into purpose. A task may seem daunting but when I remind myself of the why, the intention, and the goal I am wanting to accomplish, I focus on purpose and not feelings. I remember we walk by faith, not by sight, and we operate from purpose, not feelings.
I am not saying that we should not take time away from work or take a vacation. I am saying that there are times in life when we want to have pity party or good old-fashioned tantrum, whining to say, “I don’t wanna.” When that happens, I stop to think, “Why don’t I want to do this? Is it because I am tired, hungry, frustrated, or scared?” I recognize that each of these emotional states are valid but that cannot deter me from my purpose. I stay hungry for my purpose. I recognize that these feelings are often fleeting. I am tired at the moment.
If you want to succeed in business and in life, you must be voracious. You need to approach it with a big appetite. Les Brown put it this way, “Wanting something is not enough. You must hunger for it. Your motivation must be absolutely compelling in order to overcome the obstacles that will invariably come your way.” If you want to be a great pianist, you must dedicate your life to it and practice, practice, practice. If you want to be an author, you must write. If you want to be a nurse, you gotta study A LOT! You can’t just phone it in. You must be voracious.
Growing up, I loved to read. I still do. I was the kid who had to read the cereal box at breakfast, if I didn’t have a book in my hand. I could get lost in the world of dragons, knights, princesses, wizards, and the like. I read history books, mysteries, thrillers, romance, anything that piqued my interest. My favorite spot was a tree in my neighbor’s backyard, where I would spend hours reading. I am a voracious reader. I now read with a purpose. I read personal development books when I am trying to learn a new skill or habit. I read my Bible devotional for my daily wisdom. I read mysteries and romance when I just want to be whisked away from respite. I read sci-fi when I want to be inspired to dream about future possibilities. I learned to incorporate my natural inclinations into my business pursuits.
I stay hungry to understand emerging trends in my industry. I remain engaged in conversations with thought leaders. I research innovative strategies to help my clients grow and get what they need to be successful. I recognize that my purpose is great. I remain curious and open to innovative ideas, programs, and methodology. I am voracious when it comes to my business in the pursuit of knowledge. How about you?
Nursing News
The Hill recently published a report by ShiftKey on the negative influence that social media is having on the recruitment of young people into the nursing profession.
Gen Zers who considered going into nursing but decided not to recall seeing more negative social media content about the profession than those who decided to become nurses, according to the report.
In fact, 50 percent of Gen Zers who decided not to pursue nursing remember seeing negative posts on social media about issues with patients, compared to 44 percent of people who decided to become nurses.
Nurses, what do you think about the negative portrayals of nursing on social media? When does it stop becoming advocacy and entertainment, and starts to become denigrating the profession? Let me know what you think in the comments. To read the full article, click the link here:
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