WASHING our hands has become so regular in our day-to-day lives that we do so without putting too much thought into it.
Before the mid-1800s, this was not the case.
In 1846, Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis resolved to find out why so many women were losing their lives in the process of childbirth.
This man’s efforts contributed dramatically in the shaping of modern-day hygiene.
This article will look at his efforts and delve deeper into the role of resolve in pursuing one’s purpose.
When Semmelweis began his new job at the general hospital in Vienna, he noticed that many women were dying from puerperal fever, commonly known as “childbed fever”.
He studied two maternity wards in the hospital.
One was run by male doctors, and the other by female midwives.
Upon observation, he noted that the ward staffed by male doctors experienced a death rate five times higher than the one manned by midwives.
He noted that there was an unusually high death rate among the pathologists in the hospital if they were injured while dissecting the cadavers.
It became clear that “childbed fever” not only affected pregnant women.
After ruling out several other reasons, he settled on the conclusion that the increase in deaths among women was because the doctors handled cadavers as well.
The illness, therefore, was a result of little cadaverous particles that got onto the doctors’ hands after a dissection.
To test his hypothesis, Semmelweis instructed his medical staff to clean their hands and surgical equipment with soap and a chlorine solution.
Chlorine is one of the most effective disinfectants to date. When he imposed this, the rate of childbed fever fell dramatically.
What he discovered still holds true today.
Handwashing is a vital tool in public health.
Semmelweis was resolved to find a way to reduce premature deaths and due to his dedication, his findings catalysed change in the public health space.
Resolve by definition is the unwavering commitment to a particular course of action, decision or goal.
It’s the determination to persist in the face of obstacles, challenges and setbacks.
Resolve is about staying focused and committed to one’s objectives, even when things get tough.
Resolve is crucial for achieving success in various aspects of life.
When you have resolve, you:
lOvercome procrastination: Resolve helps you to overcome procrastination and take action towards your goals.
lBuild resilience: When faced with challenges, resolve helps you to bounce back and adapt to new situations.
lDevelop mental fortitude: Resolve strengthens your mental toughness, enabling you to push through difficulties and stay motivated.
lEnhance self-discipline: Resolve requires discipline, which helps you to develop self-control and stay on track.
lAchieve long-term goals: With resolve, you are more likely to achieve your long-term goals and make progress towards your aspirations.
One may ask, “What does it mean to be resolved?” Below, we shall discuss what this means and how one can apply this in their personal life.
Have a clear vision
Know exactly what you want to achieve and why.
By being resolved, we take control of our lives and make deliberate decisions towards our goals.
Set clear goals
You should have defined specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound, referred to as smart goals.
Make a commitment
You should strive to be committed to taking action towards your goals and sticking to them.
Resolve helps to build confidence in ourselves and our abilities which in turn helps us to remain committed to our goals.
Stay focused
You should remain focused on your goals despite distractions and setbacks.
It is advisable to maintain a positive attitude and focus on the benefits of achieving your goals.
With resolve, we are more likely to achieve our goals and succeed in various aspects of life.
Being persistent
You should persist in the face of obstacles and keep moving forward.
Face your fears and doubts head-on to build confidence and resolve.
Becoming a formidable foe means developing resilience in the face of challenges and setbacks, so become one.
In conclusion, Semmelweis’ unwavering commitment to finding a solution to the high mortality rate in childbirth led to a ground-breaking discovery that has saved countless lives.
His story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of resolve in achieving success.
By applying the principles of resolve in our own lives, we can overcome obstacles, achieve our goals and make a positive impact on the world.
Be it in improving public health, advancing medical research or pursuing personal goals, resolve is the key to unlocking our potential and creating lasting change.
Rutendo Kureya is a medical student at Saint Petersburg State Paediatric Medical University, Russia. She is passionate about issues concerning the state and welfare of fellow Zimbabweans. She can be reached at kureyaru@gmail.com. Mobile: +7 996 274 98 66 Facebook: Rutendo Kureya. She writes here in her personal capacity.
