The ONE Skill to Practice For a Better 2026

January has a very specific way of messing with people-pleasing perfectionists.

We start the year with big intentions—this will be the year we exercise, sleep, get our notes done, take better care of ourselves. And then… reality hits.
Clinic runs late. Staffing falls apart. The inbox explodes.

And somehow, we decide we are the problem.

In this episode, I want you to hear this clearly: you are not failing.
You’re just missing one skill—and it’s a skill you can absolutely learn.

Today, we talk about the one practice that quietly changes everything: learning to delight yourself, and tolerating the discomfort that comes with not meeting everyone else’s needs.

We break this down in a very physician-appropriate way (yes, there’s a 2×2 matrix), and we name the trap so many of us are stuck in: delighting everyone else while constantly disappointing ourselves.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why people-pleasing perfectionists feel ambushed every January
• How medical training wires us for struggle, sacrifice, and self-criticism
• The hidden cost of constantly trying to undo other people’s disappointment
• The 2×2 “delight vs. disappoint” matrix—and where physicians get stuck
• Why delighting yourself feels like disappointing others (even when it isn’t)
• How practicing delight expands your bandwidth, generosity, and effectiveness
• Simple, everyday ways to practice savoring—not scrolling
• Why leaving a job or changing circumstances isn’t enough without this skill

This is not about indulgence.
It’s not about checking out or caring less.

It’s about learning to take care of yourself without abandoning the people you care about—and without abandoning yourself.

Your invitation this week:

Choose five small sources of delight already in your life.
Notice them. Savor them. Practice letting them count.

That’s the skill.
And it changes far more than you think.