Building trust ...

This weekend we attended "The Mane Event" where we were able to observe the art of horse training.  I felt like I was in a whole new world: a very unique culture in which I could not understand the language.  A brief description of the event from the website states: 

" The Trainers Challenge is an unique opportunity to see 3 trainers put their skills to work to show the public their abilities and methods of training an unbroke horse. This is NOT the way these trainers would normally start a colt, what they do in the 3 days of the Challenge they might take 30 – 60 days or more to get the horse really working well at all of the different skills they are training into the colts. This Challenge is meant to be a venue to educate the public that there are more than one or two ways that you can start a colt and succeed at getting a quiet broke horse. " 

In one particular challenge, I witnessed the bond that the trainer created with the horse.  The colt was following the trainer around with respect and ease.  There was no tension or fear.  Once that trust was built, it was quite easy for him to ask the colt to perform a new skill.  I was impressed!  During the trainer's challenge, I immediately could relate to my own job as a nurse.  I would have to build trust within minutes of meeting a patient and inquire and probe deeply into their medical and personal history.  I would have to ask these clients to disclose information that they may not be comfortable to share with anyone else. What did this trainer do that gained the horse's trust so quickly? What do I do in my own practice that is effective? 

I make eye contact, I listen, I validate, and give time for the patient to respond.  I think that the horse trainer was able to do this as well.   Now it may not happen each and every time, but I do believe once trust is achieved, is is easier to navigate the difficult questions.  

One thing I learned from the trainer's challenge was not to push too fast or too soon.  Many times in nursing we have a small window of time to accomplish a lot of things, and rushing around is part of our job.  I would like to slow down more and not push my agenda on the patients.  

So here is my question to you:  what do you do to build trust in your workplace or personal life?? 

Go with the flow...

image from: http://www.lifedreaming.me/wp-content/flow1.gif

This weekend's rich discussion around vitality and flow has really got me thinking.  Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's theory of flow was new to me.  Although after describing, analyzing and reflecting over the concepts in our group discussion, I felt like it was obvious: People are happiest when they have achieved a state of flow- or an intense mastery, joy and satisfaction with the tasks at hand.  

It was easy to see how athletes and artists could achieve that optimal level.  However, in nursing it looks and sounds a bit different.  I tried to visualize how flow could look like in a hospital or classroom setting.  Does "flow" occur when all of my various nursing interventions (e.g. giving medications, mobilizing a weak client, listening to concerns, teaching a patient)  align with the client's exact needs?  Or if there is a reciprocal exchange of gratitude between myself and the patient?  Or is "flow" in a classroom full of nursing students when one student is able to comfortably demonstrate learned skills with ease and confidence? 

I wonder- how does flow "look" or "feel" in our own small activities of daily living?   I am curious about what I can do consistently to help create or enhance this optimal level. 

Lots to think about! What do you think?