How To Have A Good Day | Book Review

Have you read the book How To Have A Good Day by former McKinsey partner Caroline Webb?

I've read it recently and absolutely loved it. 

Caroline provides scientifically proven and practical exercises on how to have a good day. They are simple and obvious, yet the book was written in a way that has helped me remember and pass on what I have learnt to you. Check out my top 5, which you can start to implement too.  

Since reading the book;

1.  I now set behavioural goals and not just tasks. Typically this includes my intention to be focused, present, and relaxed. Simply stating this intention reminds me of who I want to be and not just what I need to do.

2.  I capture my thoughts in my memo app on my phone. This way I am not wasting energy on trying to remember things and then inevitably forgetting them. This comes especially handy for capturing blog post ideas. 

3.   I am more realistic about what I can achieve in a day instead of setting myself up to fail with an incredibly long to-do-list. I simply capture my thoughts and tasks on my phone or pad and then prioritise my top 3 with the rest of my list out of sight, so I do not become distracted. Only once I have completed my top 3, do I then refer to my main list, and again choose my top 3 priorities.

4.  When it comes to meetings, I have a contingency plan for possible obstacle’s. I pack my bag, make sure there is petrol in my car and plan my journey the night before to avoid the risk of being late. I have my meeting papers and laptop on me just in case, and if I am attending a meeting where I am presenting new ideas, I try to anticipate what objections there may be. 

When I do encounter an obstacle that I haven’t prepared for, I simply think “How bad is this?” Nine out of ten times, the situation is solvable if I do not let my thought process and emotions get the better of me. 

5.  I am more clear on my why, which is to “influence and support the implementation of positive change in Primary Care”.  Having clarity on my why helps me to see the bigger picture when things go off track. Instead of focusing on myself,  this deeper purpose also helps me to work towards and achieve my goals.

There are so many other exercises you can deploy as soon as you start reading the book and once you do, you will either want to keep it as your secret weapon or start sharing it with everyone you know. 

This blog follows nicely on from my post titled “Mastering your Mind” as while you know it’s important to master your skill set; it’s even more important to master your mind. 

Tara Humphrey is the founder of THC Primary Care, a leading healthcare consultancy specialising in workforce transformation and the host of the Business of Healthcare Podcast.

Tara and her team also work with GP federations supporting the implementation of clinical services.

Tara has over 20 years of project management and business development experience across the private and public sector and has an MBA in Leadership and Management in Healthcare, is published in the London Journal of Primary Care and is the author of over 150 blogs.