Creating Autonomy When You Feel Out of Control: A Guide for Introverts in Healthcare

Creating Autonomy

It’s a Choice That Starts Within

Loss of autonomy is a known driver of burnout………

This can feel like a major challenge when you’re an employee.

Perhaps you have little or no say in your schedule. Maybe the often-heard advice to delegate tasks just isn’t an option for you. And what happens when you don’t agree with what you’re being asked to do?

Without a sense of autonomy, stress at work can bloom, especially if you’re regularly expected to perform in such a way that undermines your own values, sense of ethics, or way of being.

If you have no power, no decision-making authority, and no say in your day-to-day, how can you develop a sense of autonomy?

Let’s dive in.

Are You In Control? You Decide.

Perhaps you’re familiar with Viktor Frankl.

At the age of 37, Frankl, a psychiatrist and neurologist who focused on successfully treating suicidal patients, entered his first Nazi concentration camp. During this time, he organized suicide prevention groups for new arrivals at the camps.

He spent a total of 3 years in 4 camps, including Auschwitz. He lost the majority of his loved ones during this time.

After leaving the camp, he wrote Man’s Search for Meaning in 9 days. The manuscript was a recreation of Frankl’s writings on his psychological theory. The original notes had been taken from him when he entered his first camp.

In Man’s Search for Meaning, Frankl wrote,

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

This is how we start to claim autonomy when it feels we have none.

Right now, you may be rolling your eyes.

It may feel like I’m telling you to ignore reality, put on a happy face, and pretend you have a choice when you don’t.

I’m not.

I am saying that choice sometimes presents itself in the most subtle of ways.

If we don’t want to feel pinned in place, our first choice is to look for the ways in which we can empower ourselves without waiting on someone or something else to change.

The Foundation of Autonomy

The most basic way we can exert power is through our attitude.

This isn’t woo.

There’s a reason the placebo effect works.

Our minds are powerful.

Case in point:

A 2007 Harvard study underlined the power of mindset. In the study, one group of maids was told their work activities constituted an active lifestyle, while the other group was left to continue work as usual. After 4 weeks, the first group perceived themselves as more physically active.

Their perception was confirmed by measured decreases in weight, blood pressure, and body fat.

The second group experienced none of these benefits despite their circumstances being the same as that of the first.

It was all about attitude.

While I’m not suggesting it’s easy, the first, and perhaps most important, step toward greater autonomy is exercising the option to shift your mindset.

You can stay stuck in a mindset that lets you believe you are always at the mercy of others.

Or you can step into a mindset that has you always on the lookout for opportunity and solutions.

You choose.

Creating Choice To Build Momentum

With that strong foundation in place, here are 5 more ways you can build a sense of autonomy.

Focus on the ‘how’, rather than the ‘what’.

If you’re stuck with a task you don’t especially love, consider focusing on how you’d like to feel while you complete it. Then decide what it takes to make that happen.

Patient care provides an abundance of opportunities to do this. For example, in the ophthalmology world, performing refractions can become a tedious task. Yet, it requires great attention and collaboration with your patient.

In this case, focusing on the feeling of satisfaction and pride that can be achieved by improving someone’s sight with glasses can outweigh the monotonous ‘how’ of the task.

Hone your skills.

Even if you’re spending time doing things you’d rather not be doing, the better you are, the more confident, effective, and efficient you can become at completing the task.

For instance, if you become a master of your EMR, you may find shortcuts and work-arounds that create more ease and efficiency in your day. Instead of feeling like you’re constantly pushing a boulder uphill, you can find ways to use the tool for your own benefit.

That takes us to the next strategy.

Focus on the real, practical benefits of your role.

Let yourself see what’s in it for you.

You may not love your current role, but maybe it contributes to the financial resources that let you pursue other passions. Maybe it allows for increased scheduling flexibility or a chance to expand your skills.

Whatever it is, consider how you can use this role to move you toward what you want.

Recognize options when they present themselves and choose wisely.

Pay attention to the aspects of your job that are completely within your control.

For instance, you may not have much control over your on-shift duties, but don’t squander your break time. Actively use your free time to energize and nourish your mind and body.

Celebrate the small wins.

Give yourself credit for every time you let yourself choose a different perspective and create meaning in your everyday life. Circumstances can absolutely be challenging. Do a happy dance when you let yourself see choice in difficult situations.

The more you look for opportunity, the more you’ll find it.

We often deal with circumstances that are less than ideal. We can feel trapped and deprived of choice. In many cases, we don’t have the luxury of instantly adjusting reality to fit our preferences.

The next best thing is creating autonomy within ourselves.

Our attitude provides the foundation. Our willingness to reframe, stay curious, and recognize opportunity creates momentum. Momentum builds the confidence and wisdom to move toward circumstances that cultivate an even greater sense of autonomy.

It’s a self-fulfilling cycle.

The power of choice is yours. You get to decide if you’ll take it.