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This IS the Journey

I used to be the woman constantly running—dropping Tara off at school, juggling work, soccer, ski lessons, and home (all with a supportive and helpful husband) while trying to squeeze everything into a 24-hour day that never felt long enough. I gave everything I had—my energy, my love, my time—to everyone else, including my family, my job, and my friends. And whenever I tried to carve out a little space for myself, it felt impossible, like there wasn’t enough time.

I looked at other women and wondered how they had it all figured out. They seemed to be doing something that I was missing. I felt like I was failing, like something was wrong with me because I couldn’t seem to crack the code. And I was exhausted from trying.

But here’s what I learned: nothing had gone wrong, and nothing was wrong with me. The only real difference between me and those other women? They believed they could figure it out, so they kept trying. They didn’t have some secret formula or hidden knowledge that I didn’t. They were just doing life—just like me.

They experimented with different routines, schedules, and ideas. When things didn’t work out, they didn’t label it as a failure. They saw it as part of the process and kept moving forward, adjusting as they went.

Once I realized that, I stopped believing everyone else had it figured out while I didn’t. I started making small changes and gave myself permission to let it be messy. I stopped trying to cram everything into a perfect 24-hour container and started focusing on what worked for me. I saw that I was not failing at life. I was living it. This was the process; it was the journey.

And I want you to know that if this resonates with you, I can help you go from feeling overwhelmed and exhausted to feeling more in control. Together, we’ll focus on practical strategies for managing your time, prioritizing what matters to you, and making small, meaningful changes. You don’t have to figure it out alone. I’ll be there to support you as you find what works so that you can live a life you truly love.

If you want an easy way to come and see what I’m all about, join the How to Manage Your Time Masterclass on Wednesday, September 11, at 11 AM. Registration is required, and you can do so here.

I’ll be there waiting for you with open arms. I’ve got you. 💕💕

P.S. Reminder: Employees get free coaching sessions as part of Logan Health’s benefits. You can book a coaching session here.

P.P.S. Liked what you read? Join my email list, where I dive deeper into these concepts and teach you how to put them into practice in your everyday life. And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram (@christineseager_) or Facebook (@seager.christine), where I share teaching moments and real-life examples of this work in action.

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Time Management Starts with Knowing What’s Truly Important

You’re used to managing chaos. Emergencies, unexpected changes in patient needs, and shifting priorities come with the territory. But here’s something you may not realize: one of the keys to better time management is clarifying what truly matters.

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, it’s easy to feel like every task is urgent. You’re constantly pulled between patient care, documentation, team communication, and the small details that can eat up your time. What often happens is that the most important tasks—the ones that truly make a difference in patient outcomes and your job satisfaction—get buried under everything else.

Here’s the truth: good time management isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters most. That starts with getting clear on your priorities, and here’s how you can start:

1. Define Your Non-Negotiables  

Not every task is equally important. Think about your day-to-day: what tasks must get done no matter what? These might be critical patient assessments, medication administration, or even checking in with your team. Identify 2-3 tasks that are truly non-negotiable each day. Let these be the anchor points for your time.

2. Use Microblocks of Time  

Healthcare shifts rarely go as planned. Between patient emergencies and last-minute changes, the day can feel unpredictable. Instead of fighting this reality, work with it. Break your tasks into smaller “micro blocks” of time. Even 5-10 minutes can be used productively—whether it’s catching up on charting, prepping for the next patient, or organizing supplies. Use these short bursts of time to knock out smaller tasks instead of waiting for a big chunk of time that may never come.

3. Say ‘No’ with Confidence  

One of the hardest things for healthcare workers is setting boundaries. When a colleague asks for help, or your manager assigns an extra task, it’s tempting to say yes. But saying yes to everything often means saying no to your own priorities. Practice saying no when a task doesn’t align with your core responsibilities. This isn’t about being difficult—it’s about protecting your time so you can focus on what really matters.

4. Batch Similar Tasks Together  

The constant back-and-forth between different types of tasks—like patient care, charting, and meetings—can cause mental fatigue and slow you down. Instead, try batching similar tasks together. For example, dedicate a block of time to complete all your charting at once instead of doing it between every patient. You’ll find that staying in one mode of thinking can help you get through your tasks more efficiently and with less stress.

5. Prioritize Breaks for Mental Clarity  

It’s easy to skip breaks when you’re busy, but this can actually hurt your productivity. Taking short breaks helps reset your mind and can make you more effective when you return to work. Prioritize short, regular breaks to boost your mental clarity. Even five minutes to step away, take a deep breath, or hydrate can make a huge difference in your ability to stay focused and efficient.

By incorporating these small yet powerful shifts into your daily routine, you’ll start to see improvements in how you manage your time and energy. The goal isn’t to be perfect; it’s to be intentional. Time management is about using the time you *do* have more wisely—so you can provide better care to your patients and experience more peace during your shift.

PS: Ready to take control of your time and reduce stress? Sign up for my (FREE) masterclass on How to Manage Your Time. You’ll learn practical strategies to regain control of your day without burning out. Click here to register! (Zoom link will be shared upon registration.)

Reminder: as part of the benefits offered at Logan Health, employees get free coaching sessions. You can book a coaching session here. 

P.P.S. Liked what you read? Join my email list, where I dive deeper into these concepts and teach you HOW to put them into practice in your everyday life. And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram (@christineseager_) or Facebook (@seager.christine), where I share both teaching moments and real-life examples of this work in action. 

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The Cost of Poor Time Management

(Why It’s Hurting You More Than You Think)

As a healthcare professional, you’re no stranger to pressure. Long shifts, endless to-do lists, and constant multitasking are part of the job. But what if I told you that poor time management might cost you more than just a few extra minutes each day?

I see it all the time with the nurses and healthcare workers I coach: the creeping stress that builds when your day feels out of control. You feel like you’re constantly running behind, never quite catching up. And the worst part? It starts to spill over into your personal life, leaving you feeling overwhelmed, drained, and disconnected—even when you’re not at work.

The truth is, poor time management doesn’t just affect your productivity at work—it impacts every area of your life. Here’s how it might be affecting you:

Burnout: The constant race against the clock piles on stress, which—if left unchecked—can quickly lead to burnout. This leaves you feeling emotionally and physically depleted, unable to recharge.

Patient Care: Struggling to manage your time doesn’t just affect you– it can also compromise the quality of patient care. When you’re stretched too thin, being present, focused, and effective with your patients becomes more difficult.

Personal Life: Perhaps the biggest hidden cost of poor time management is that it doesn’t stay at work. Instead, it follows you home. You may find yourself unable to fully enjoy your time off because your mind is stuck on what didn’t get done at work.

This happens because our brains aren’t designed to handle constant stress and multitasking—at least not efficiently. As a healthcare professional, you’re likely experiencing decision fatigue, cognitive overload, and a stress response that makes managing your time feel impossible.

But here’s the good news: simply understanding *why* this happens is the first step toward changing it.

During my upcoming webinar, “How to Manage Your Time,” I’ll be diving deeper into the neuroscience behind why time feels out of control and how understanding this can help you take back control of your day.

Here’s the thing: this isn’t just about throwing more time management tips your way. It’s about equipping you with strategies to help you maximize your time without burning out. In the webinar, we’ll cover:

  ~ Why your brain struggles with time management

  ~ The hidden costs of poor time management that you might not even realize are there

  ~ How mastering time management can improve patient care, reduce burnout, and help you reclaim control of your life

Want to know more? I’ll teach how during the webinar, but for a full transformation, one-on-one coaching offers a deeper dive into personalized strategies that work specifically for you.

If you’re tired of feeling like time is slipping through your fingers, I invite you to join me for the masterclass. Or, if you’re ready for more personalized help, book a complimentary consultation or sign up for a one-on-one coaching session (especially if you’re a Logan Health employee- see below!).

It’s time to reclaim your time—and your life.

P.S. You can register for this masterclass with this link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tP782ZC1T9WmQDSiy13IwQ

Reminder: as part of the benefits offered at Logan Health Whitefish, employees get free coaching sessions. You can book yours here. 

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emotional responsibility

This week at Christine Seager Coaching, we’re focusing on emotional responsibility—allowing others to own their thoughts and feelings while reclaiming control over our own. It’s a mindset shift that empowers us to manage our emotional experience, no matter the circumstances.

As healthcare professionals, you know that emotions can run high in stressful environments. But did you know that you hold the power to decide how you respond? When we blame others for our frustration, sadness, or disappointment, we unknowingly hand over our emotional power. But what if we could reclaim it?

From a young age, we’re often taught that others are responsible for our feelings. When someone says something hurtful, we believe that pain is their doing. But as adults, we have the ability to reflect, choose our thoughts, and ultimately, decide how we want to feel.

Imagine approaching your day knowing that your emotions are within your control—not dictated by your boss, patients, or colleagues. How empowering would it be to realize that frustration or disappointment isn’t caused by outside forces, but by how we choose to interpret those forces?

By accepting responsibility for our feelings, we open the door to true emotional freedom. Instead of reacting on autopilot or avoiding discomfort, we can choose how we want to feel. The result? We start living a life of intention, rather than default.

Try this: The next time you feel frustration or stress in the workplace, pause and ask yourself, ‘What am I thinking right now that’s creating this feeling? And do I want to keep thinking this way?’ Shifting your mindset from blame to ownership can be transformative.

You have the power to take charge of your emotional experience.

Reminder: as part of the benefits offered at Logan Health Whitefish, employees get free coaching sessions. You can book a coaching session here. 

P.S. Liked what you read? Join my email list, where I dive deeper into these concepts and teach you HOW to put them into practice in your everyday life. And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram (@christineseager_) or Facebook (@seager.christine), where I share both teaching moments and real-life examples of this work in action.

P.P.S. You can register for the next free Christine Seager Coaching Masterclass on What to Do When You’re Not Getting Results by clicking here. 

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MIRRORING

Have you ever noticed how we tend to mirror one another? It’s a natural part of human interaction. When someone is upset, we often find ourselves feeling upset as well. If someone is critical, we might respond with our own criticism. This mirroring happens instinctively, but with some awareness, we can manage it and use it to better help ourselves and others.

How Mirroring Works

Mirroring means we think, feel, and do what we want the other person to think, feel, and do. It’s like holding up a mirror to their behavior. If someone is kind to us, we will likely be kind in return. But if someone is negative, we might reflect that negativity back at them. This process can work both positively and negatively.

The problem is that our default setting often leans towards negativity. It’s easy to get caught up in a cycle of negative thoughts and emotions, especially in challenging situations. But here’s the good news: we can override this default setting. By becoming aware of our reactions, we can choose to respond differently.

A Common Example: The Critical Mother-in-Law

Imagine your mother-in-law is constantly criticizing you. She judges your decisions, offers unsolicited advice, and seems to believe that you’re doing everything wrong. Naturally, you might think, “She shouldn’t criticize me; she shouldn’t judge me; she should be nicer; she should mind her own business.”

But take a moment to notice what’s happening here. You think she’s doing it wrong—exactly what she’s thinking about you. You’re both caught in a cycle of judgment and negativity.

Feelings: A Reflection of Each Other’s Emotions

Mirroring also happens with emotions. If someone you care about is upset, you might get upset that they’re upset. Or if they’re worried, you start worrying about how much they’re worrying. This emotional mirroring can amplify the situation, leading to even more distress for both parties.

Actions: Reacting in Kind

Our actions often mirror the actions of others. If someone yells at you, it’s easy to start yelling back. If someone shows up upset, you might match their mood. But what if you didn’t have to react this way? What if there was another option?

Breaking the Cycle: Awareness Is Key

The truth is, their thoughts don’t affect you. What affects you is your own thoughts, feelings, and actions. You might think you’re mad because your mother-in-law is judging you, but in reality, you’re mad because of your own judgment of her—and maybe even your own self-judgment.

So, ask yourself: In what way have I become the exact thing that I disapprove of in them? Identifying this is not about shaming yourself or thinking you should or shouldn’t feel a certain way. It’s simply about awareness. “Oh, I get it; that’s what’s going on for me. That’s why I’m feeling this way.”

Sometimes, just being aware of what’s happening is enough to help you put it down. When you understand that you’re mirroring the other person’s negativity, you can choose to respond differently. You can choose not to mirror their anger, judgment, or worry. Instead, you can decide how you want to think, feel, and act.

The Power of Choice

Mirroring is a natural part of our interactions, but it doesn’t have to control us. By being aware of how we’re mirroring others, we can choose our responses. We can break the cycle of negativity and create more positive, constructive interactions. It starts with awareness and deciding to override these “default” settings.

Remember, you don’t have to be what you disapprove of in others. You can choose a different path.

Reminder: as part of the benefits offered at Logan Health, employees get free coaching sessions. You can book a remote or Zoom coaching session here. 

P.S. You can register for the next free Christine Seager Coaching Masterclass on What to Do When You’re Not Getting Results by clicking here. 

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life is 50/50

We often find ourselves striving for perfection, aiming to create an environment where everything runs smoothly and everyone feels their best. However, one of the most liberating realizations we can have is that life is inherently balanced between positive and negative experiences. This concept, often referred to as the 50/50 principle, suggests that life is composed of roughly 50% fulfilling, uplifting moments and 50% challenging, difficult ones. Sometimes, this ratio might feel more like 80/20 or 20/80, but over time, it tends to balance out. Understanding this can profoundly impact how we approach our personal and professional lives.

The Duality of Life: Light and Darkness

Imagine the cycles of day and night. Without darkness, we wouldn’t truly appreciate the light. Similarly, the challenging moments in our lives give depth and meaning to the joyful ones. For example, a nurse who has experienced the stress of an overflowing ER on a busy night can deeply appreciate the calm and satisfaction of a smoothly running shift. Without the chaos, the calm wouldn’t be as gratifying.

Examples from Healthcare

  1. Patient Outcomes:
  • Positive: Successfully helping a patient recover and witnessing their gratitude can be incredibly rewarding.
  • Challenging: Facing a difficult case where, despite your best efforts, the outcome is not as hoped. These moments are tough but teach us resilience and compassion.
  1. Work Environment:
  • Positive: Being part of a supportive team where everyone collaborates effectively.
  • Challenging: Experiencing conflicts or miscommunications with colleagues. While uncomfortable, these situations can lead to growth in conflict resolution and teamwork skills.
  1. Personal Growth:
  • Positive: Feeling confident and competent in your role, knowing you are making a difference.
  • Challenging: Dealing with self-doubt or a mistake that shakes your confidence. These moments can drive you to improve and learn more.

Embracing the Balance

Realizing that it’s unrealistic to feel 100% positive all the time is crucial. Life’s challenges do not diminish its value; rather, they enhance our ability to appreciate the good times. As healthcare providers, this understanding can help us manage our expectations and reduce the pressure we place on ourselves.

  • Acceptance: Acknowledge that not every day will be perfect. Some days will be harder than others, and that’s okay.
  • Perspective: Reflect on past experiences where challenges led to personal or professional growth. This can help shift your perspective and find value in difficult times.
  • Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Understand that experiencing difficult emotions doesn’t mean you’re failing; it’s a natural part of the human experience.

Conclusion

Embracing the 50/50 principle allows us to navigate our lives with more grace and acceptance. As healthcare providers, understanding this balance can help us better cope with the inevitable ups and downs of our profession. By recognizing that both light and darkness play a role in our journey, we can find deeper fulfillment and resilience in our everyday experiences.

Let’s strive not for a life free from challenges but for a balanced life where we appreciate the beauty of the positive moments and find strength and growth in the difficult ones.

Reminder: as part of the benefits offered at Logan Health Whitefish, employees get free coaching sessions. You can book an in-person coaching session here or a remote/Zoom coaching session here. 

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the closet

Picture this: You’re standing in your closet, rifling through clothes, and the conversation with your spouse is getting heated. Your face is flushed, your heart rate picks up, and the words you’re exchanging are sharp and cutting. You’re frustrated, feeling trapped in a cycle of annoyance and anger. But then, a startling realization hits you – your spouse isn’t even there. They’re actually sitting peacefully in the dining room. The entire argument was just in your head.

How often do we find ourselves in this situation, having imaginary battles and emotional outbursts over scenarios that are only playing out in our minds? This story might sound familiar to many of us, and it highlights an important aspect of our mental and emotional well-being: our thoughts have immense power, but they are just that – thoughts.

Recognizing the Power of Your Thoughts

In the story, the person in the closet is completely immersed in their thoughts, to the point where their body reacts as if the imagined argument is real. This physical response – the heat, the frustration, the annoyance – is a clear indicator of how powerful our thoughts can be. But here’s the crucial takeaway: those thoughts are not necessarily reality. They are just one person’s interpretation and projection of potential scenarios.

The Key to Awareness: It’s Just Your Thoughts

Understanding that it’s just your thoughts is the first step towards gaining control over your emotional responses. When you realize that the conversation in your head isn’t actually happening, you gain the power to choose how to react. You can decide whether to engage with those thoughts, believe them, or act upon them.

Imagine if the person in the closet took a moment to pause, take a deep breath, and recognize that their spouse is in the dining room, unaware of the turmoil in the closet. This pause can shift the entire dynamic. Instead of spiraling into anger and frustration, they can choose to address the situation calmly or even decide that the argument isn’t worth having at all.

The Choice is Yours

As human beings, we have the incredible ability to choose how we respond to our thoughts. This doesn’t mean suppressing or ignoring them but rather acknowledging their presence and then deciding how much weight to give them. Here are a few steps to help you navigate this process:

  1. Pause: When you feel yourself getting overwhelmed by your thoughts, take a moment to pause and breathe. This simple act can create the space needed to step back and gain perspective.
  2. Have Awareness: Recognize that the thoughts running through your mind are just that – thoughts. They are not necessarily true.
  3. Question Your Thoughts: Are they based on assumptions or facts? This can help you determine how to respond.
  4. Choose Your Response: Decide how you want to act or react. Remember, you have the power to choose a response that aligns with your values and desired outcomes.

Conclusion

The next time you find yourself in an imaginary argument or feeling overwhelmed by your thoughts, remember the person in the closet. Acknowledge that it’s only your thoughts creating the turmoil, and you have the power to choose how to respond. By practicing awareness and intentionality, you can navigate your thoughts more effectively and create a more peaceful and empowered life.

Reminder: as part of the benefits offered at Logan Health Whitefish, employees get free coaching sessions. You can book an in-person coaching session here or a remote/Zoom coaching session here. 

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summer smoke

If you’re local in the Flathead Valley, it’s been relentlessly 90º and increasingly smokey.  According to the Flathead Beacon, we’re under a heat advisory over the next two days, and there are Stage II fire restrictions in surrounding counties. The Montana DNRC reports 59 active wildfires, including one outside Helena and one south of Missoula. 

If you’re like me and love summer, you might be inclined to think:

Well, there it goes– literally up in smoke.

I’m sad b/c I love summer & now it’s hot, miserable, AND smokey. 

Not being able to see the mountains makes me feel claustrophobic. 

I love fresh air, but now I can’t open the windows at night. 

We shouldn’t even be outside. 

Camping is more fun with a campfire. 

You feel dismayed, disappointed, angry, and annoyed. 

You complain to your friends, worry about whether you should change your camping plans, and spend endless amounts of time trying to figure out how to get out of here. 

You wind up not enjoying your summer. 

What can you do instead? 

If you were free to focus on something other than the smoke and being disappointed about it, what would you focus on instead? 

What else could you spend your time, energy, and effort on? What would be available to fill in the energetic gap? 

You might think: 

Yes, it’s smokey, and I can’t control the air quality here. 

I’m determined to enjoy my summer anyway. 

I will not just stay inside and do “nothing” for the rest of the summer. 

I have options. 

Now, you feel accepting, empowered, hopeful & creative.

From here, you can determine how you would like to play this.

You are better equipped to: 

  • Focus on things within your control
  • Find alternative activities
  • Enjoy your summer despite the smoke and heat
  • Explore new activities
  • Spend time with friends 
  • Make the most of the season despite challenging conditions 
  • Reduce your stress and frustration
  • Find opportunities for enjoyment and fulfillment in different ways. 

A smokey summer can still be your best summer ever.

This is how you create and live a life you love. 

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your self-concept

If you struggle to meet your goals and often let yourself down, this is for you. To be clear, this one is about your self-concept rather than the actions you do (or don’t) take.

You probably often hear me talking about creating and living a life you love. 

Your self-concept is how you CREATE your life rather than just life happening TO you.

It’s about deciding in advance what you want for your life and who you must be to create that life. 

If you’re trying to create results in your life and taking lots of action without addressing your self-concept, it will not work. 

If who you are being doesn’t match the results you’re working to create, you will sabotage your results every single time. 

For example, if you identify as someone who is overwhelmed, overwhelm the result you will produce. 

You simply cannot create results without changing your identity and your self-concept.

Here’s how to change your self-concept: 

  1. Assess—where are you now, and where do you want to be? 
  2. Define—why do you want it? Why is it important to you? And who do you need to be to get it? Consult with your future self. 
  3. Decide—what you want to change. What can you do to get from here to there, and where do you want to start? If necessary, borrow from other areas where you have created change. Consider how you did it and apply that here. 
  4. Plan and implement while also becoming the person who creates new results. 
  5. Evaluate your results—Find evidence that who you are becoming and what you are doing is working. Then, see what you might want to try differently (if anything). 

Then, as I love to say—wash, rinse, repeat; this is an ongoing process. 

This is how life works. We are constantly evolving and striving for the next thing. When we’re done, we’re dead, so learn to appreciate the journey.

If this interests you and you would like to learn more about changing your self-concept, join me via Zoom on Wednesday, July 17th, at 11 AM MT for the next FREE monthly masterclass. Registration is required, and you can do so by clicking here.

As a reminder, as part of the benefits offered at Logan Health Whitefish, you are entitled to fully confidential coaching at no cost to you. (Yes, it’s free for you). You can book an in-person coaching session here or a remote/Zoom coaching session here. If you have any questions, just email me at Christine@christineseager.com.

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Do you think you can change?

Or do you believe that you are who you are and it is what it is? 

Often, when you’re up to something new or different, you will inevitably get uncomfortable. Then, you will have the urge to repeat or reinforce who you ARE instead of who you WANT to be. 

It may sound like this: 

  • I’m always late. 
  • I’m not a good nurse. 
  • I’m just a procrastinator; I do things best at the last minute. 
  • I can never remember anything.
  • I’m always exhausted. 

What if instead of, “This is just who I am…” 

There is simply some discomfort that you can learn to sit with instead.

Remember, your brain’s job is to keep you the same. 

It doesn’t want to change, grow, or do different things. 

It likes same-same. 

So when you try to adopt a new belief about yourself, to do or create something new, your brain will urge you to reinforce your current ways. 

It will hold you back from taking enough consistent and tangible action to create a different result. 

Instead, have awareness. 

Notice when you’re reinforcing your old beliefs. 

Notice how often you tell yourself: I can’t do that; I don’t know how. I’m not a good nurse; she is better. I’m never on time. I’m just forgetful, etc. 

With that new awareness, you will see what you’re doing, and you can question if it’s true. 

Are you really never, ever a good writer at all? Never? 

Are you never, ever on time, or can you get to work on time; you’re just perpetually late to dinner with friends? 

Do you really always forget things, or do you only forget things that seem inconsequential? 

Can you figure out how to do something you’ve never done before? And if so, where might one start? 

Be honest with yourself and your brain. 99.999% of the things it tells you are not true. 

Once you dispel these myths it’s offering you, you can start to build the belief that you are, indeed, able to change. 

And you can resist the urge to reinforce the belief that you can’t. 

Simply choose not to repeat those beliefs to yourself. 

Since you’re on time for work, you can be on time. 

Since you remember your child’s birthday, you can remember things. 

Since you can put together furniture, you can figure things out. 

Just because she is a good nurse doesn’t mean you aren’t a good nurse, too.

Find more and more evidence for how this is true. 

Then, repeat these new beliefs- the beliefs of someone who you WANT to be. 

In time, you will become the person you want to be and look back, astonished that you’re no longer that person over there; you’ve become this person over here– the person you want to be. 

If this interests you and you would like to learn more about how to change your self-concept- the perception you have about yourself and who you are, join me via Zoom on Wednesday, July 17th at 11 AM MT for the next FREE monthly masterclass. Registration is required, and you can do so by clicking here.

As a reminder, as part of the benefits offered at Logan Health Whitefish, you are entitled to fully confidential coaching at no cost to you. (Yes, it’s free for you). You can book an in-person coaching session here or a remote/Zoom coaching session here. If you have any questions, just email me at Christine@christineseager.com.