A month or two ago at an event I was running someone went into cardiac arrest. They cleared the huge ballroom, enough for a couple of thousand people, and the EMTs worked on the individual for close to an hour. I was one of the few people allowed to stay, and it was like looking through binoculars in reverse; huge empty ballroom with just a few humans in the middle trying desperately to save a life. It will stay with me.
On your broader point, one of my meditation teachers always used to say something along the lines of "you practice on the cushion to prepare for real life." That's so true - all of that practice is what kicks in automatically when life goes completely sideways. You can't be calm and methodical without endless practice, which you deftly point out.
I'm sorry that you had to witness such an event up close. It takes a piece of you every time. I am grateful for your medication audios. They always help with resetting cortisol levels, healing the body, and bringing the mind some peace.
People like to believe that they will rise to the occasion, but truth is you will fall back on your training or habits. Daily practice, whether with gratitude or perishable skills, is a must for things to go right when life doesn't.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience with us.
Thank you, Jon. I'm glad that you can see the value of this piece as it applies beyond emergency medicine.
Some people view discipline as a dirty word but in the manner in which you use it, discipline is a powerful leadership asset.
Regardless of the industry, things do go wrong. Sometimes badly. Leadership is bringing the calm and falling back on preparation and practice to guide others through the situation.
A month or two ago at an event I was running someone went into cardiac arrest. They cleared the huge ballroom, enough for a couple of thousand people, and the EMTs worked on the individual for close to an hour. I was one of the few people allowed to stay, and it was like looking through binoculars in reverse; huge empty ballroom with just a few humans in the middle trying desperately to save a life. It will stay with me.
On your broader point, one of my meditation teachers always used to say something along the lines of "you practice on the cushion to prepare for real life." That's so true - all of that practice is what kicks in automatically when life goes completely sideways. You can't be calm and methodical without endless practice, which you deftly point out.
Great article, Mike.
I'm sorry that you had to witness such an event up close. It takes a piece of you every time. I am grateful for your medication audios. They always help with resetting cortisol levels, healing the body, and bringing the mind some peace.
People like to believe that they will rise to the occasion, but truth is you will fall back on your training or habits. Daily practice, whether with gratitude or perishable skills, is a must for things to go right when life doesn't.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience with us.
Mike, this is powerful.
What stood out to me most is the reminder that calm is not the absence of urgency. Calm is discipline under pressure.
Your article makes it clear that the best professionals do not rise to the level of panic in the room.
They fall back on training, process, basics, and purpose.
That lesson applies far beyond emergency medicine.
“Thoroughly and methodically” is not slow.
It is leadership.
It is the ability to do the next right thing when everyone around you is begging for motion, noise, and visible activity.
Sometimes the most important action is not the fastest one.
It is the correct one, done in the correct sequence, by people trained well enough to trust the process.
This was a strong reminder that preparation matters, communication matters, and compassion belongs in the room right next to competence.
Excellent piece.
Thank you, Jon. I'm glad that you can see the value of this piece as it applies beyond emergency medicine.
Some people view discipline as a dirty word but in the manner in which you use it, discipline is a powerful leadership asset.
Regardless of the industry, things do go wrong. Sometimes badly. Leadership is bringing the calm and falling back on preparation and practice to guide others through the situation.
Thanks for sharing.