(Part Four of our series titled “Agility Training for Cancer Registrars”)

Changing out mindset or how we automatically respond to our work or life can make us uncomfortable.  However, this is necessary if we are to be responsible and achieve success and happiness.     

In his book, Excuses Begone, Dr Wayne Dyer gives a description of individual accountability and a process for stepping out of “autopilot” and into conscious thinking.  In my own experience, I know that by examining my past experiences, beliefs and value I hold I can challenge their validity and create a new mindset that is focused on positive outcomes, meaningful relationships and being the a good person and cancer registrar.              

Albert Einstein said, “The world we have created is a product of our way of thinking.”   So, the degree to which we practice mindfulness, or how we allow ourselves to become uncomfortable and the resulting change in our way of thinking, is what determines our success in life.  

It is not enough to briefly question a thought and simply dismiss it with a statement of, “that’s the way I was taught,” or “that’s just who I am.”  Accountability for our thoughts requires continual examination of past experiences, beliefs and values.  As cancer registrars, our mindset is constantly challenged.  Our personal value systems are often in competition with others and need to be put into perspective with the clinical and scientific facts as well as the patient and emotional components of cancer care.  Often this seems like a “stacked deck” against us.  But, by practicing conscious thinking, evaluating the facts and not emotions, and by making a mindful choice in how we will respond to the situation, we will earn our place as valuable members on the healthcare team.    

If you find that your first thought about a situation or proposed change is negative, then you can be encouraged by the knowledge that by simply thinking another thought, you can change your mindset and the outcome of a situation.  The first step to take is to replace the negative thought with a positive one.  Remember, your thoughts and behaviors are under your control.  Pessimistic and negative thinking are simply habits that can be changed.  

Here are three action steps to take in practicing mindfulness and accommodating change with positive results:

1. Evaluate the evidence.  When you have that negative or pessimistic thought, stop and evaluate the evidence.  What are the facts, not the fears?
2. Think about positive alternatives and outcomes.  For example, as you are doing your work on “autopilot” and encounter a new reporting rule, instead of complaining about it, stop and evaluate the facts, acknowledge the changes in medicine and patient care, and visualize how the change will improve the cancer patient’s care and quality of life.    
3. Practice daily affirmations.  Each day practice saying to yourself, “when I have a negative thought I will immediately evaluate the facts and think of positive alternatives.”  This will be a little awkward at first, but after practice it will become easier and automatic.  Each time you use this affirmation you will rewrite the negative thoughts in your mind and create new and positive solutions founded on fact and not emotion.  

Practice these three steps until it comes naturally and automatically.  You will be amazed at how easy it is to develop positive mindset to whatever happens in your day.  Use positive affirmations to reinforce your attitude and to build up core strengths and talents.  Cancer registrars who focus on their accountability and development of a positive mindset will be uniquely positioned to serve as leaders in their community and profession. 

Tell us, what are you doing to change your thoughts and reactions to your work and life?  Do you use positive affirmations?  If so, what have you found to have the most profound, positive impact on your life?

http://www.RegistryMindset.com.  Michele Webb, America’s Cancer Registry Coach, is a nationally recognized, certified cancer registrar (CTR).  She cares passionately about helping cancer registrars around the world to grow personally and professionally and serves her community as a motivational speaker, author, and educator.  You have permission to repost this article as long as you do not alter it in any way, give credit to the author and link back to her website.