MEDICUS May 2022

Take charge of your day today Michael Crossland Keynote Speaker, Executive Coach Humanitarian, International Best-Selling Author T H E L A S T W O R D I ’m super excited and grateful to be joining you at MEDCON 22 in July. I’ve got plenty of insights and experiences to impart, from spending a quarter of my life in hospital, to representing Australia in my chosen sport, from sharing the stage with Richard Branson, to having a speech of mine go viral with more than 84 million views. However, today I wanted to touch on something that has been critical in enabling me to not just survive my ongoing health challenges but thrive through them. It’s the importance of forming positive daily habits. In your industry, I am sure you would agree, it’s difficult to live a life of joy and happiness when you’re constantly tired, under pressure, stressed and overworked. Forming positive daily habits can help to cultivate a structured lifestyle, giving you a sense of purpose, pride, self-value, and a life filled with abundance. I have three non-negotiables when it comes to forming good habits. 1. Morning and evening routines – This not only sets me up for a productive and powerful day but as bedtime draws nearer, if I engage in a wind-down ritual, that wraps up the day and prepares me for a restful sleep without the mind racing. 2. Mindful eating – Mindful eating is a very important part of my daily habits. We sit and enjoy what it is that we have prepared. We are aware of the people surrounding us. We are aware of the food on our plates, and most of all, we are grateful. This habit began when I rebuilt an orphanage in Haiti, and was speaking to one of the little boys living there. I asked him what was the best part about living in the orphanage, and he said it was getting a bowl of rice guaranteed every second day. When he lost his entire family in the earthquake, he would only get food out of garbage bins. When we are grateful for the little things, our mindset shifts, and we lead a life filled with so much more joy and happiness. 3. Home maintenance – I love to live in a home that is clean, tidy and in order. I make a point to ensure the dishes are done, the floors are clean, etc. But when I refer to home maintenance, I am not just talking about health and cleanliness, but also relationships within my home. I take stock regularly with my wife, making the effort to have weekly date nights, open discussions, communicate regularly on what is working and not working, and most importantly, being present and not distracted by TV or social media. I don’t think you can be the best version of yourself when the people you love the most are put to the back of the priority queue. No matter how unworthy we sometimes think we are, we must celebrate who we are completely with love and pride. And finally, it is often the smallest things that mean the most. True riches do not reside in objects or things outside of ourselves, rather in how we relate to them. I can’t wait to be with you all in July, and my only hope is that I can put a tear in your eye and a smile in your heart. ■ 56 M E D I C U S M AY 2 0 2 2 KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT