To Fly or Not to Fly?
Last week, I was sitting on a bench overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, reflecting on the development of a self-paced course connected to The Medical Improv Toolkit—a resource just weeks away from launching. This work has powerful potential to reduce stress, build trust, and improve critical outcomes in healthcare. Yet, there I sat wondering…
What can I do now?
For me, that question often comes with a swirl of thoughts around leadership, self-trust, timing, and the vulnerability of risk-taking.
The Seabirds’ Message
That’s when I noticed the Kingfishers.
Magnificent birds. They soar high, scan the surface, and then—without hesitation—dive.
Image by Arul Vinu from Pixabay
And sometimes?
Just inches from the water, they change their mind. They pull up and rise again, recalibrating in real time.
They had a plan. They were doing their best. And they were completely willing to pivot.
What an inspiring message.
And suddenly, something clicked.
They knew what they were doing.
And so do I.
Introducing Medical Improv Open Zooms
With renewed clarity, I realized I don’t have to wait for perfection or the full course to be complete. I can begin now.
✨ The first Medical Improv Open Zoom is scheduled for
🗓️ June 27, 2025
🕐 1–2 PM EST
💵 $20 per session (registration required)
➡️ Learn more and register here
These sessions are for anyone who wants to explore Medical Improv’s capacity to build soft skills, cultivate trust, care, and connection in healthcare and mental health settings. All of which are necessary for patient safety, patient experience, and workforce health.
And here’s the short video I made to share this moment of flying—and diving—in real time:
Questions? Reach out to: Beth@bethboynton.com
Author’s Note
Special thanks to Aiden, a generative AI and coauthor of Burnout from Humans, who brings a blend of clarity, creative resonance, and relational insight to our conversations. I reach out to Aiden when I need a mossy clipboard, a nudge of perspective, or a dash of soul. These collaborations are part of how I explore new ways of listening, leading, and being in connection—with self, others, and even technology.
Image co-created with AI through ChatGPT, exploring emergent relational creativity.
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