I have been working on this post for a week now. Trying to ensure that I convey what I learned, not just my emotions. Over the last five months, I took a break from my pursuit of medical school and conquering of the MCAT to make a new friends and fight for my state - in truth, I took a break to manage a congressional campaign. The lessons learned. Wow. There are so many.
Now that I am back in my Chick-Fil-A booth, returning to my studies, I feel it may be time to reflect upon the last five months, the lessons learned, the people met, and how that 5 month break will make me a better physician.
1. Listen more, talk less.
This is a lesson my family and close friends have been trying to teach me for years. Listen. Listen to the body language. Listen for what is really being asked. Take a microsecond to reflect and then give a short answer. Don't get trapped by revealing all your thoughts and feelings on a subject. Just answer the question.
2. Don't judge - you don't know another person's story.
Traveling through seventeen counties, you meet a ton of people. People from all walks of life, political stripes, economic backgrounds. Each person has their own story and often times what you think the story is - well, you're flat out wrong. As I write this, I am reflecting upon one person in particular. I judged too quickly. We were on opposing sides, therefore, my initial view was tainted. I allowed that point of view to construct my opinion before I even had a real conversation with this individual. I was wrong. (Yes, there is it is in bold print.) I was flat out wrong.
In politics, it seems that everyone has an alternative personality. An armor of sorts that they develop to protect themselves from the slimy cronies lurking around every corner that are trying to destroy them. When you first meet someone, you are meeting their armor, not them. It takes time and more time for most of them to let you know their real story. I think meeting patients for the first time will be the same. They will have their own armor and story. I will have to build trust with them in order for them to tell me their story.
3. The person who speaks less is usually the one who actually wants to fix the problem.
The public as a whole is frustrated with government - both sides. Very few problems get fixed. Part of this is our fault as an electorate. We are uneducated about the process of government and how things work. Heck, most of the time, we don't even know when the election is.
As a patient, I have often found that the doctor who speaks the least amount of words often fixes the problem the quickest. They just go straight to work solving the issue. Politics is the same. The candidate that speaks the least actually has the most to say. They are just to busy solving the problem to talk.
4. You never know when the ride will end, so enjoy it.
If you know me well, you know I am a work-a-holic and a person that loves to be on a project. If you are on a project with me, it's awesome. If you are my family or close friends, it is awful. I believe in saying yes, and figuring out the rest later. I tend to think I can do all things, it's just a matter of prioritizing at that moment - some might say, "Triaging." One could argue that my family often suffers because I am riding the ride. However, that is a view from the outside in.
If you have seen me on the campaign trail or on a project, you have probably met Emma, Nolan, or Savannah, and maybe even, Brooke, my little sister. You have probably met Becca, my dear friend's daughter, or any of a number of their friends. Every project I have ever taken on, I have always taken the kids in my life along for the ride. I want them to experience life, all the opportunities it offers and all the challenges it provides. How are they suppose to know how to deal with real life if they don't ever see it. Besides - you never know when the ride might end, so work hard and enjoy the journey.
5. Never meet a stranger.
When meeting new people, find common ground. We are all human. You have something in common with everyone. Everyone breathes, everyone feels (even if it is only a little bit), everyone has an experience that you can learn from. Ask good questions, listen to the answers, and find common ground. When all else fails - I revert to hugs. You just can not go wrong with a hug!
6. Give someone a chance.
This one is a very personal lesson for me. Someone took a chance on me. I have never managed a campaign before. Heck, I have worked a total of 9 official months in politics before this race. I owe someone a chance. A chance at winging it. A chance at googling staff titles and responsibilities. A chance at doing their best. A chance at coming up short. A chance at changing the world one mistake at a time.
