Hey Fam!
Sorry it's been so long! But we are back with a bit of motivation to get you off to a great week! Before today's story, I want to share something new I will be doing that may interest you. I'll be doing live Study With Me sessions on YouTube with the plan to go live at least weekly! Make sure you follow me on Instagram or get notifications on YouTube for updates on the dates and times. I look forward to having you all join me as we grind as a community!
🏊 A Story You Need to Know
In 1952, Florence Chadwick attempted to swim the 26 miles from Catalina Island to the California coast. She had already made history as the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions, but this new challenge brought different obstacles. After 15 hours in the water, a thick fog rolled in and completely obscured her view of the coastline. Cold, exhausted, and disoriented, she began to doubt her ability to finish. Eventually, she asked to be pulled from the water. Once on the boat, she learned she was only one mile from the shore.
Two months later, she gave it another shot. The fog was there again, but this time she completed the swim. What changed wasn’t the environment. It was her mindset. She had trained herself to visualize the shoreline even when she couldn’t see it.
🔍 Apply Its Lessons to Your Life
As I prepare to start my second year of residency, Florence’s story feels especially relevant. Medical training can feel like a marathon where the finish line disappears behind a fog of fatigue and routine. Some days you wake up and the vision of what you’re working toward feels so far away that it doesn’t motivate you anymore. That’s when doubt creeps in.
I’ve learned that when the end goal is too far to grasp, the best thing I can do is focus on what’s right in front of me. Instead of being overwhelmed by how much further I have to go, I try to center my attention on the day ahead. That could mean doing one thing well like preparing thoroughly for a case, showing up fully for a patient, or staying present through a tough call shift. It’s about putting everything into today’s swim stroke and trusting that each one brings me closer to where I’m meant to be.
Florence didn’t need to see the shore. She just needed to believe it was there and put one arm in front of the other.
Here are a few ways we can apply this lesson in our lives this week:
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Set one clear daily intention: Choose a single focus for your day, like “bring positive energy to every interaction” or “complete this one task with excellence.”
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Use visual cues: Keep a physical reminder of your goal somewhere visible. It could be a photo, a background on your phone, or even a sticky note to keep your purpose front and center.
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Break the fog with reflection: At the end of each day, ask yourself, “What stroke did I take today toward where I want to go?” Celebrate it, even if it’s small.
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Protect your energy: Avoid getting pulled into things that aren’t serving your direction. When your vision blurs, simplify your inputs and focus only on what matters most right now.
Small strokes. Consistent focus. That’s how we reach the shore.
“Perseverance is not a long race. It is many short races one after the other.” - Walter Elliot
🎒 Resources You May Enjoy
📰 The Evolving Student Newsletter – A free 10-email series delivering evidence-based strategies to enhance your learning journey. Sign up here
🎓 The Evolving Student Course – A 30-day challenge designed to transform you into an elite learner, offering proven strategies to unlock your academic potential. Enroll now
👥 Teach As You Learn Community – A supportive network of aspiring and practicing physicians committed to mentorship, guidance, and collaborative growth. Join here
📚 Shortform – Access comprehensive guides to over 1,000 nonfiction books, distilling key insights to accelerate your learning. Explore top book summaries
💪 KetoneIQ (30% off!) – Enhance your cognitive and physical performance with this innovative ketone supplement, providing a noticeable boost in endurance and focus. Optimize performance
🦴 Ortho Essentials 101 by NailedItOrtho – Master the fundamentals of orthopedic surgery with this comprehensive course, designed to help you stand out in the field. Master orthopedic fundamentals
🎯 The Match Guy Services – Receive expert guidance on residency applications, personal statements, and interview preparation to navigate the competitive medical field successfully. Residency guidance
💍 Ultrahuman Ring (10% off!) – Optimize your sleep, recovery, and performance with this cutting-edge wearable, providing valuable insights into your health metrics. Track sleep & recovery
🩺 Medical Scribe USA - Enhance your medical school candidacy by earning a scribe certification 100% online! Become a Scribe
🛍️ Amazon Storefront Check out essentially everything I use in my personal and professional life, from my reading list to the my favorite pieces of tech. Shop now
See you next week!
JR
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