Choosing Your Attitude - Victor Frankl

Victor Frankl's insight, "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way," is a priceless skill during the arduous journey to becoming a physician. There will inevitably be twists, turns, unplanned obstacles, missteps, and failures on the path to becoming a licensed physician.

To make matters worse, the challenges do not miraculously disappear when you finally achieve the goal of delivering patient care liberated from a protected medical education environment. Nevertheless, Frankl's quote is a potent reminder that our sovereign control is constitutively retained in response to these challenges.

In medicine, as in life, circumstances can often be beyond our control. Medical students and residents face long hours, high stakes, and intense pressure, seemingly overwhelming. Yet, the perception of these hurdles and resolution strategies lies firmly within each individual. The deliberate adoption of a positive attitude grounded in a mindset focused on growth and adaptability converts seeming obstacles into stepping stones toward excellence.

We have all been empowered to overcome the immediate stresses of medical training by fully embracing optimism and fostering an environment where learning thrives, mistakes become lessons, and strength is built.

For those who are sojourning the path of medicine, remember that, admittedly, the journey is demanding. But your attitude is your most powerful tool. It shapes your experiences, influences your interactions, and can ultimately define the kind of physician you become. Let Frankl's reminder of our fundamental freedom to choose our attitude inspire you to approach each day positively, no matter the circumstances.