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Article CommentaryCommentary

To be good enough

Savithiri Ratnapalan and Helen Batty
Canadian Family Physician March 2009, 55 (3) 239-240;
Savithiri Ratnapalan
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  • For correspondence: savithiri.ratnapalan@sickkids.ca
Helen Batty
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  • How to be Good Enough
    W. Joseph Askin, MD, FCFP, CLC
    Published on: 23 March 2009
  • Published on: (23 March 2009)
    Page navigation anchor for How to be Good Enough
    How to be Good Enough
    • W. Joseph Askin, MD, FCFP, CLC, Sleep Consultant and Life Coach

    As a physician and life coach, I read the article with great interest. Ironically, physicians, like other professionals, are often driven along by a compulsion to be perfect yet seldom slow down to examine the quality of their lives and practices. But busy people cannot afford NOT to take time to make intentional decisions about how they will bring their personal and professional lives in line with their ideals. Quest...

    Show More

    As a physician and life coach, I read the article with great interest. Ironically, physicians, like other professionals, are often driven along by a compulsion to be perfect yet seldom slow down to examine the quality of their lives and practices. But busy people cannot afford NOT to take time to make intentional decisions about how they will bring their personal and professional lives in line with their ideals. Questions we doctors need to ask ourselves from time to time include: What does GOOD ENOUGH mean to ME? What do I most value personally and professionally? What boundaries must I establish to protect what I value? In light of my talents and skills, where can I have the greatest impact on the lives of my patients? What is my vision of an ideal life/practice? How will I get there?

    A trusted partner, such as an insightful friend or professional life coach, can help a person gain self awareness by asking such powerful questions and then help him or her to creatively apply the insights and maintain focus or overcome resistance to change through objective feedback, encouragement and accountability.

    Show Less
    Competing Interests: None declared.
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In this issue

Canadian Family Physician: 55 (3)
Canadian Family Physician
Vol. 55, Issue 3
1 Mar 2009
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To be good enough
Savithiri Ratnapalan, Helen Batty
Canadian Family Physician Mar 2009, 55 (3) 239-240;

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Savithiri Ratnapalan, Helen Batty
Canadian Family Physician Mar 2009, 55 (3) 239-240;
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  • Article
    • An unrealistic ideal
    • A good enough mother
    • The principle of good enough
    • Good enough doctors
    • Excellence through good enough
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