What have you done today to make you feel proud?

This commute may be a drive, a walk, a train journey or even a cycle ride (read about Dr Martin Smith’s 17.5-mile cycle to work and why).

Once at work, the day ‘officially’ begins and we switch into routine, balancing a combination of daily ‘to do’ tasks that may involve emails, telephone calls and, of course, in the case of optometrists, patients.

The day whizzes by and before you know, it it’s time to do your commute in reverse.

It sounds like a busy day doesn’t it? Probably because it was. But within each working day there will have been achievements large and small. Achievements that are yours or the achievements of others in the team. When was the last time that you stopped to say well done to yourself or a colleague?

When I ask myself this question, I admit that I don’t always like the answer as it’s normally been too long.

OT’s May edition, which will have landed through your letterboxes at the weekend, is themed ‘healthy living.’ We spoke to a range of experts, as well as optometrists themselves. From sharing practitioners’ work and wellness balance methods, to managing stress in the workplace and the importance of posture, we have it covered. (And don’t forget you can access all of these articles online where we share content seven days a week). 

Returning to my earlier question of recognising the achievements of yourself and others, that is exactly what the AOP Awards were established to do eight years ago. Yesterday, nominations opened in all 15 categories for the AOP Awards 2020, including a new Hospital Team of the Year accolade.

Have you considered putting yourself forward or recommending a colleague? If you have not, perhaps you should. For more information and to nominate, visit the AOP website.