What if the key to feeling better wasn’t doing more… but noticing more of what’s already good?
If you work in healthcare, you’re trained to spot problems.
To notice the risk, the abnormal, the thing that might go wrong.
This skill saves lives—but it can also steal your joy.
When your brain is conditioned to scan for danger, it’s easy to overlook the moments that actually feel good.
And over time, that constant focus on what’s wrong can leave you feeling drained, numb, or like you’re always one crisis away from crumbling.
What You Focus On Grows
There’s a well-known proverb that says something like:
“There are two wolves inside of us—one is fear, the other is love. Which one wins? The one you feed.”
Most healthcare professionals I work with don’t even realize how often they’re feeding the “fear” (or negativity) wolf.
Not because they’re pessimistic—because they’re practiced.
They’ve spent years walking the same mental trail:
- Spot the risk.
- Anticipate the worst.
- Replay the mistake.
- Beat yourself up.
That mental path is like a well-worn game trail through the woods.
It’s easy to follow because it’s familiar.
Rewiring Your Brain Takes Intention—Not Perfection
Here’s the good news: your brain is changeable. It’s called neuroplasticity.
But to create a new pathway—the kind that leads to feeling lighter, more grounded, more present—you’ve got to walk a different trail.
At first, it feels awkward. Forced. Like you’re bushwhacking through undergrowth.
You’ll catch yourself defaulting to the old thoughts:
- “That wasn’t good enough.”
- “I should’ve done more.”
- “That patient is going to complain.”
But every time you pause and choose to notice what went well, you’re carving out a new path.
And the more you walk it, the easier it becomes.
How to Start Expounding on the Positive
Here are a few simple ways to practice feeding the other wolf—the one that brings confidence, peace, and satisfaction:
- Seek. Look for what went right.
After a shift, instead of replaying what you missed, ask yourself: What did I do well today? Even small things count. - Savor It.
When something feels good—an easy interaction, a solved problem, a quiet cup of coffee—stay with it a little longer. - Soak It In.
Let your nervous system soak it in- like a sponge absorbs water.
Small Shifts Lead to Big Results
You don’t have to become a relentlessly positive person to feel better.
You just have to practice giving as much airtime to the good as you give to the bad.
That’s how we create a new default (a new well-worn game trail going to where we want it to go)—one that leads to:
- Feeling calmer after work
- Celebrating wins instead of brushing them off
- Reconnecting to the part of you that loves helping people
- Building a life that actually feels good to live
You can’t control every stressor in work and life. But you can choose where to put your mental energy. And that choice matters more than you think.
Ready to Walk a New Trail?
Logan Health employees: Did you know coaching is 100% covered through your benefits? Click here to book a session and talk about how to make the shift from surviving to actually enjoying your life again.
Not at Logan? I work with people all over the country. Book a complimentary consultation and let’s explore what’s possible for you.
Want more support like this? Join my email list and follow me on Instagram or Facebook for weekly reminders, tools, and real talk for healthcare pros.