Write down in as few words as possible why you did medicine/surgery in the first place, and keep it somewhere visible. A post it note on the computer, a note on the iPhone home screen, a scribble on the dorsum of your hand, anywhere visible to you. You can even tweet it or change your twitter bio to it or update your facebook status with it. Why did I become a doctor? Why did I choose ___________(your specialty)? Fame, fortune, fashion, feeling, family, faith? Write anything down as long as you know that this is the big picture that will keep you staying the course when the going is rough. We get stressed because we tend to get lost in the details. Remind yourself of this big picture a few times today.