What is your strongest motivation when you feel like you can’t give anymore? (especially in training)
I take a look around me, at all the people who are not complaining and getting the job done, which makes me stop focusing on myself and focus on them. Also, I think about the future patients I am going to have and if I have done everything I can to be prepared to save them.
How do you deal with self doubt and failure?
It is good to be afraid to fail, it means you care and it will make you push yourself further because of it. When I get the feeling that I might not be extremely confident at something, I never allow myself to not do it, because that sets a mental precedent where you will allow yourself to quit spontaneously. It sounds too simple but sometimes you just need to put one foot in front of the other and get the job done even if it is not perfect.
What's a good way to hold yourself accountable for not bitching out when shit gets tough?
Write it down on a calendar or planner or wherever you look at frequently. Also having a buddy to train with.
Did you always feel motivated during your journey to become a PJ?
No, sometimes I didn't know what I had gotten myself into. But it was all worth it in the end.
Did you ever have this happen to you in any time of your service or even before when you just couldn’t be 100% motivated 100% of the time?
Happens all the time, there are always going to be times when you don't want to do something. That is when you have to realize you have to sacrifice short term comfort for long term goals. No one is perfect, and that doesn’t change when you become a PJ.