It’s a New Year… Inspire!

By Wanda Coker, CRA, FAHRA

I cannot believe that January is almost over. The new year is a time to reflect and a time for new beginnings. It prompts us to think and hope. As we begin this new year, many people have made New Year’s Resolutions. According to ABC Action News, saving money is the number one resolution, while the Statistics Portal claims dieting or eating healthier tops the list. Statistics show, 60% of us will make New Year’s Resolutions; however only 8% will be successful. As a matter of fact, research states that only 64% of resolution efforts last longer than one month, and only 46% last longer than 6 months.

I have noticed that many people this year are not making New Year’s Resolutions per se, but are instead choosing to focus on a specific thought or word for the year. For instance, some people that I know have picked the word “joy” as this year’s focus, while others have chosen the word “gratitude.” While both of these words are great, some others have chosen different ones. For me, I have chosen the word “inspire.”

Inspire Others: As managers/administrators, we consider this one to be kind of what we do on a daily basis. It is “our job” to encourage others to go the extra mile for the team’s success and also to motivate them to make a difference. We find and look for reasons to believe in the people that work for us. We communicate with them; sharing goals, expectations and visions. The list could go on and on. Numerous books have been written on how to inspire others. So this year, let’s inspire others to do the best that they can; a very important skill for leaders.

Inspire Self: I believe that one should always be expanding their knowledge and or learning new skills. This is especially true in the healthcare field. Inspiring self should not only apply to expanding knowledge in your profession, it should be in other areas of your life as well. For example, learning a new craft, serving your community or helping others. I believe these quotes by Clemson coach Coach Dabo Swinney are very appropriate: “If you are gonna be great, you can’t ever be satisfied. Whatever the results you get, learn and grow from it and move on to the next one” and “Let the light that shines in you be brighter than the light that shines on you.” We cannot control everything in our lives but we can control what’s going on inside of us. We all need to be the person that others would choose to follow.

Inspire the Unknown: Often people are inspired by someone they have never met. This is very common in children who look up to, or are inspired by athletes and other role models. My six-year old grandson is inspired by Trevor Lawrence, the Clemson University football quarterback. Trevor is totally unaware that my grandson feels this way. I’m sure that this is just one example of many. As leaders of people, we never know who may see us as inspirational.

I hope and wish that this year brings you much success, many blessings and good health. And may you truly “inspire” others and yourself.

Wanda Coker CRA, FAHRA is the radiology director at Shriners Hospital for Children in Greenville, SC. She can be reached at wcoker@shrinenet.org.