Feb 12, 2024 • By Dean Langfitt & Jessica Bartolone

In the whirlwind of everyday tasks at our med ed places, it’s easy to lose sight of why we’re doing what we’re doing. But here’s the thing - each of these tasks, big or small, is a piece of our bigger mission puzzle. So, how do we make sure that our daily hustle aligns with our grand goals?

Why This Matters

Let’s start with why this alignment is a big deal. Every little thing we do - from paperwork to teaching rounds, to groundbreaking research - adds up. It’s like putting together a massive jigsaw puzzle. When each piece fits just right, the bigger picture comes alive.

A perfect real-life example is the story of Dr. Jonas Salk and his team in the 1950s. Amidst the global polio crisis, their collective effort led to the development of the first successful polio vaccine. This breakthrough wasn’t just Salk’s achievement; it was a culmination of efforts from lab assistants, trial volunteers, and fundraisers. When asked about patenting his vaccine, Salk famously replied, “Could you patent the sun?” This epitomizes a dedication to a cause greater than oneself, where each contribution, no matter its size, was crucial to the mission of eradicating polio.

Tech as Our Sidekick

In this tech-savvy era, let’s use digital tools to our advantage. We’ve got project management software to keep us on track and communication platforms to keep us connected. By embracing these tools, we ensure that our day-to-day operations push us closer to our goals.

A Game Plan for Staying on Track

We need a game plan, a blueprint of sorts. This plan should explain how each task ties back to our mission and how to keep things on course. It’s like having a GPS for our daily operations, constantly guiding us towards our destination.

For instance, think about a roadmap of all our tasks and how they link back to our mission. It’s a handy guide for everyone, ensuring we all know how our roles fit into the bigger picture.

Let’s take it up a notch with Continuous Improvement. Imagine a med school tweaking its curriculum based on ongoing feedback. It’s about staying relevant and aligned with our students and the healthcare world’s needs.

By weaving Continuous Improvement into our strategy, we keep evolving and improving, ensuring our actions today align with our mission and ready for tomorrow’s challenges.

Wrapping It Up

In a nutshell, syncing our daily grind with our mission is a must-do for success in medical education. By understanding its importance, harnessing tech, and having a solid strategy, we ensure every task, no matter how small, is a step toward our bigger goal. It’s about making our operations more effective and truly fulfilling our mission.