Overcoming Challenges and Advice to Future EXEC301 Students

Three Challenges I Faced

1. Time Management and Burnout

Balancing full-time clinical responsibilities with intensive weekly goals during my Better Me: Better World project— including exercise, research, reading, and creating documentation posed a significant challenge. Without careful scheduling, I began to feel  fatigue and some  mild burnout, particularly during weeks that require both increased physical activity and consistent research output.

2. Maintaining Long-Term Consistency 

Eighteen weeks is long enough for motivation to fluctuate! Life events, illness, or work demands disrupted routines. Sustaining consistency across physical fitness, research production, and emotional development requires flexibility and self-compassion without abandoning accountability.

3. Access to High-Quality Research 

Evidence-based practice depends on access to reliable databases and current literature. While I did have access to several databases, It was difficult to find exact matches for the interventions I used. I had to perform activity analysis and approach my research in that manner. Limited access to specific journals and time constraints when reviewing studies made it challenging to consistently produce high-quality, well-supported interventions each week.

Opportunities for Growth

1. Development of a Shareable Clinical Resource

By the end of the program, the compiled intervention toolset has the potential to evolve into a long-term departmental tool, onboarding resource, or even a professional portfolio. This exemplifies leadership qualities, demonstrates thorough comprehension, knowledge, and application of evidence-based practice.

2. Enhanced Professional Identity and Confidence

The integration of physical wellness, emotional intelligence, and ethical reflection strengthens professional presence. This holistic growth supports stronger advocacy for clients, improved interdisciplinary collaboration, and increased confidence in clinical decision-making. Personal and professional development are lifelong and always have room for improvement. 

3. Foundation for Future Leadership and Education Roles 

The skills developed—project management, research synthesis, peer education, and ethical reflection—create a strong foundation for future roles such as clinical mentorship, program development, or continuing education initiatives within occupational therapy settings. 

Advice for Future Students

1. Passion Drives Motivation

Obtaining and sustaining motivation can prove a challenge, but where your passion lies will ultimately support you and fuel your drive to continue. 

2. Manage Your Time

The project emphasizes a holistic approach; to improve in all areas of wellness takes careful and strategic planning. 

3. Utilize Resources and Seek Feedback Utilize all available resources available including seeking out feedback from experts, mentors, colleagues, friends, etc. Accept constructive criticisms and apply them to your project.

In summary, this Occupational Therapy Toolset program exemplifies intentional, values-driven growth. By aligning personal wellness with professional excellence and community service, it demonstrates how structured self-development can meaningfully elevate not only individual practice, but also the quality of care delivered to clients and the culture of the workplace.