Major Jameel Janjua, experimental test pilot with the Canadian Armed Forces, shares ideas on how he stays appropriately "switched on" given the needs of any performance situation. His world, much like in medicine, is a high-pressure, high cost of failure performance context. Jameel provides rich insight on a range of human factors, and high-performance related topics. Among those he touches on include performing under pressure, maintaining situation awareness, the need for attentional flexibility, preparing to respond to the unexpected, and critical task prioritization. Throughout the discussion we draw parallels between the conditions he performs under and how, from a human performance standpoint, these might mirror what physicians face in their work.

08:27 Jameel describes what attributes make for a great fighter pilot

The central role that passion plays

No such thing as fair-weather fighter pilots

Resilience matters

Harmonious and obsessive passion

17:21 Cultivating an ideal focus, and performance mindset

Attentional flexibility and task execution

Preparation (training and simulation) drives “in the moment” focus

Staying perceptive in critical AND non-critical moments

Engagement: Going from 0-100 and all points in between

Maintaining focus during benign performance moments

33:30 Communication and pilot focus

Differences in comms between combat vs. test missions

Personal “housekeeping” tasks to stay focused in flight

Playing the “game of contingencies”

How comms during test flights can enhance focus, performance, and safety

Micro breaks to defocus and then re-focus

“Buying risk”: The need to be in an optimal state

46:32 Switching on when the unexpected occurs

Focus first on mission critical tasks

Keeping the main thing, the main thing

Train and simulate FOR the unexpected

Train to your breaking point…and then go further

Knowing the “attentional revisit rate” for each task/procedure

58:44 Recognizing those who have “it” and those who don’t

“It” as a function of being teachable, open, humble, and driven to improve

Further, “it” comprises the ability to rank, and stack, and execute important tasks and decisions in critical moments

Arousal control and “it”

“You can’t pour from an empty cup” says noted strength and conditioning expert, Gavin McHale. He’s absolutely right about that. For many physicians, the demands of their work leave them in a time and energy deficit state. Not ideal for health, happiness, or performance. Gavin works with many physicians helping them start, and maintain a personalized fitness program in spite of all the demands. He offers keen insight on how to create the right internal drive to stay connected and consistent. In addition, he provides guidance and instruction on implementing “quickie” workouts to your day that can be beneficial for mood, energy, and overall health. As well, check out the free resources Gavin has made available on his website. They are a great way to start.

Gavin McHale contact info

Website: http://www.mchalestrength.com

Facebook: Gavin McHale

Instagram: gavinmchale1

2:38 On anchoring the motivation to train in spite of demanding schedules

5:15 Observations he has made on why people stay committed

7:49 Application to managing stress and optimizing your state

12:58 Cueing off your internal state to determine the right exertion level for the training session: Stimulate vs annihilate

22:23 Getting “switched on” to maximize focus in your workout

27:27 “Quickie” workouts when time is extra tight

32:07 Accessing Gavin’s free resources

Dr. David Hindle, Emergency Medicine, and pre-hospital flight team physician, shares lessons on sustainable performance

In this audio blog, Jason highlights how to be at your best on exam day. Using medical resident certification exams as a backdrop, he provides practical strategies to help maintain focus, respond to stressors, and harness an optimal persepctive up to and through the exam process.

Time. What we all wouldn't give to manufacture more of this. Busy schedules and unrelenting demands make it tough to do so. In this audio blog, Jason shares some ideas on how to reclaim and protect this precious commodity. Learn how to maximize efficiencies and gain back some control.

Time. What we all wouldn't give to manufacture more of this. Busy schedules and unrelenting demands make it tough to do so. In this audio blog, Jason shares some ideas on how to reclaim and protect this precious commodity. Learn how to maximize efficiencies and gain back some control.

Being the spouse/partner of a physician can be challenging. In this podcast Loren Peto talks candidly about the changes he and his spouse--whom is a physician-- have made over the years to help her optimize performance at work, and downtime away from it. He shares some of the mechanisms they have instituted to create more time and energy for her, and more meaning and empathy for him. He illustrates how simple adjustments in communication and time management make for a better relationship, and enhanced support system.

Discussion points include:

Benefit vs cost analysis: Do what you like, offload the rest

Helping your physician spouse/partner decompress

Value of geographical distance to enhance psychological distance

Finding comfort viewing downtime as "what do I want to do" vs. "what should I be doing"