I really don’t care about a title. Neither for myself nor for others. I’m not impressed by it.
I never think:
“Wow, that person is a doctor. They must be really smart.”
No. If you want to impress me, do it with your knowledge, your personality, your kindness, your humanity—not with your title.
A title may be earned once, but it must be earned again and again. People often rely too heavily on their titles. It’s the easy way out, because the alternative is to constantly earn your title through hard work.
As a physical therapist or in any other healthcare profession, earning your bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree 20 years ago doesn’t automatically mean you still deserve your title.
If you haven’t made the effort to stay updated with the latest scientific discoveries in medicine, continuously improve your knowledge and practice your people skills to provide the best care for your patients, your title remains unearned.
Think of a master mechanic who rejects the latest developments in the automotive industry or a teacher who fails to update their teaching materials to reflect the current standards or who doesn’t continuously rethink and adapt their teaching methods.
We wouldn’t want them fixing our car or educating our children, would we?
Many people rest on their accomplishments, whether it’s an official title listed in a document or an unofficial one we’ve assigned to ourselves or received from others.
Best swimmer in school, marathon runner, top graduate of the program. In reality, we are deceiving ourselves.
Past results are not a guarantee of future performance.
That kind of thinking stops us from putting in the hard work.
I experience this constantly with my patients, but also with my colleagues.
I used to run marathons.
I used to exercise regularly.
I used to have less weight.
I used to be healthy.
I used to know this.
Why did you stop?
It’s natural to look back and say “I used to…” — but growth happens when we choose to move forward.
So, what’s the next step you can take today or this week?
🧪 Let’s Experiment
Your title doesn’t define you—your effort does.
Going the extra mile—that’s what sets you apart. Every field, every skill, every journey demands ongoing learning and growth.
🎯 Try This:
Today or sometime this week, commit just 15 minutes to update something important—whether it’s your knowledge, your routine, or your mindset. Show up for yourself and keep earning your title every single day.
🧠 Final Thought:
Your progress is a daily practice, not a one-time achievement. Keep moving forward, and let your effort define who you are.
Keep it simple, stay curious, and keep learning—you’ve got this.
Take care,
Carina 🦊