OSA Personal Growth Program
The Personal Growth Program* is an opportunity to assist you with self-exploration, self-awareness and self-esteem to increase your skills and fulfill your personal goals. The process of exploring your innermost self to attain a purpose or a goal, especially in the pursuit of clarity and passion in life, is important.
A focus on your personal development alongside professional development helps create a well-rounded physician.
* These resources are provided for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not imply endorsement, and we cannot assume responsibility for the content of external materials.
Identity
Identity: Understanding who you are and where you’re going.
Theme: Identity drives direction.
Medical framing: Professional identity formation and internal drive.
Key words: Self-understanding, Purpose, Vision, Passion, Personal values, Personal motivation
Reading Checkpoints:
- Start Finding Your Purpose and Unlock Your Best Life | betterup.com
- What's Holding Back Your Career Development? |Harvard Business Review
- How Writing Helped Me Love Medicine Again | Doximity
- Reclaiming Your Identity | AAMC Students & Residents
- "What's wrong with me? I don't belong here." | AAMC
Listening opportunities:
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 10: Finding Your Passion
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 103: Gap Years with MS4 Kimia Abtahi
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 113: Caring for the Formerly Incarcerated Patient
Self-Assessment markers:
- Purpose in Life Quiz| Greater Good
- Write a purpose statement| Purpose Statement Map
- Impact of Work Life on Relationships | WellMD & Well PhD : Standford Medicine
Connection
Connection: How you relate, communicate, and collaborate.
Theme: Success is relational.
Medical framing: Team-based care, patient-centered communication, professionalism.
Key words: Communication, Relationships, Empathy, Interpersonal Growth
Reading Checkpoints:
- What makes teams work ? | American Psychology Association
- Are We Communicating? Or Do We Just Think So? 7 Tips to Make Sure | Forbes
- How We Can Communicate Across Differences and Buid Bridges | Psychology Today
- Personality and Relationships | Psychology Today
- How to Get the Relationships that Matter for Personal Growth | Psychology Today
Listening opportunities:
- OSA Inside rPodcast | Episode 96: Communication Skills
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 49: Storytelling in Medicine
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 120: Motivational Interviewing with SOM Alum
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 51: Advice Column with Dr. Lumpkins - Relationships
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 110: The Peer Support Network
Self-Assessment markers:
- Interpersonal Communications Skills Test | Psychology Today
- Team Roles Test | Psychology Today
- Social Skills Test| Psychology Today
- Tolerance for Disagreement Scale | UAB JCM D.Ed
- Empathy Test | Psychology Today
Leadership
Leadership & Influence: How you influence systems and serve others.
Theme: Leadership is service and stewardship.
Medical Framing: Leading care teams, advocacy, stewardship of systems.
Key words: Leadership, Motivation, Influence, Vision-setting
Reading Checkpoints:
- Leadership | Psychology Today
- Start Finding Your Purpose and Unlock Your Best Life | betterup.com
- How to Keep Working When You're Just Not Feeling It | Harvard Business Review
- To Become Your Best Self, Study Success | Harvard Business Review
Listening opportunities:
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 10: Finding Your Passion
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 72: Your Personal Mission Statement and Brand
- OSA Inside rPodcast | Episode 100: Two MS4s Reflect on Leadership Lessons
Self-Assessment markers:
- Leadership Style Quiz | Psychology Today
- Career Motivation Test | Psychology Today
- What's Your Motivation Style | ProProfs
- Explore your Purpose: Purpose in Life Quiz
- Write a purpose statement: Purpose Statement Map
In Action
In Action: How you perform effectively and sustainably.
Theme: Turning intention into execution.
Medical Framing: Managing academic demands, clinical responsibilities, and lifelong learning.
Key words: Organization, Efficiency, Skill development, Productivity
Reading Checkpoints:
- How to Manage Your Perfectionism | Harvard Business Review
- What to Do When Your Mind (Always) Dwells on the Worst-Case Scenario | HBR
- What's Holding Back Your Career Development? | Harvard Business Review
Listening opportunities:
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 78: Efficiency and Time Management in Clinic
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 92: Improving Your Organization and Time Management
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 98: Perfectionism
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 101: Adaptive to Maladaptive: When Good Habits Go Bad
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 115: Catastrophic Thinking
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 117: Situational Awareness and Judgement with Dr. Allen
Self-Assessment markers:
- Time Management Test | Psychology Today
- Smarter, Not Harder Activity | USC KSOM Wellness
- Perfectionism Test | Psychology Today
- Locus of Control Test | Psychology Today
- Self Valuation - Self Compassion Assessment |Stanford Medicine
Growth Mindset
Resilience & Growth Mindset: Thriving through adversity and challenge.
Theme: Growth often requires discomfort.
Medical Framing: Thriving in high-demand clinical environments.
Key words: Failure, Adaptability, Stress tolerance, Recovery
Reading Checkpoints:
- "What's wrong with me?" | AAMC
- Buildng Your Resilience | APA
- Being Happy Takes Practice | Psychology Today
- Are you Harnessing The Power of Optimism? Forbes
Listening opportunities:
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 16: Failures, Setbacks, and Mistakes - Part 1
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 17: Failures, Setbacks, and Mistakes - Part 2
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 40: Beyond Pixar - Self-Care and the System
- OSA Insider Podcast | Episode 115: Catastrophic Thinking
Self-Assessment markers:
- Locus of Control Test | Psychology Today
- Happiness Quiz: How Happy Are You? | Psych Central
- Creative Problem Solving Test | Psychology Today
- Strategies to Improve Happiness | Psychology Today
- Resilience Test | Mind Help
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University of Maryland School of Medicine
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studentaffairs@som.umaryland.edu