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Douglas Flora: Why I’m Embracing Niksen to Reflect, Reset, and Accelerate into 2025?

Douglas Flora/LinkedIn

Dec 29, 2024, 11:24

Douglas Flora: Why I’m Embracing Niksen to Reflect, Reset, and Accelerate into 2025?

Douglas Flora, Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“The Art of Thinking: Why I’m Embracing Niksen to Reflect, Reset, and Accelerate into 2025.

As the year winds down, I’m leaning into something rare but deeply valuable: time to think. Not multitask, not plan every second—but to truly let my mind wander.

In Dutch, there’s a beautiful concept called niksen, which means “doing nothing.” It’s not about wasting time but intentionally creating moments of mental stillness. It’s during these pauses that creativity and clarity naturally emerge.

For me, these moments are crucial, especially as I prepare to accelerate into 2025. I’m taking this time to:
• Craft my 25 goals for the new year.
• Tackle books that have been waiting patiently on my nightstand.
• Reflect on what truly matters—the important things and the people in my life.

One tradition I hold close is writing down my goals at the start of each year. Then, every Friday, I check in with myself, writing down what I’ve done that week to move closer to those goals. It’s a simple habit but one that keeps me grounded and accountable.

This week, I’m embracing niksen—letting my mind recharge and my creativity spark. But next week, I’ll be putting my foot on the gas, ready to pick up the pace and drive into the new year with excitement, energy, and purpose.

Niksen might feel countercultural in a world obsessed with productivity, but stepping back is often how we move forward.

As I reset and rev up for 2025, I encourage you to ask: When was the last time you gave yourself permission to pause? And how could it change what’s next?

Sometimes, the best way forward begins with a pause… so you can accelerate when the time is right.”

Douglas Flora: Why I’m Embracing Niksen to Reflect, Reset, and Accelerate into 2025?

Douglas Flora is the Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, overseeing clinical operations, strategic planning, and the expansion of cancer programs. He is also the co-founder of the Center for Precision Medicine; Genomic Health and the Leader of the AI and HealthCare Team for the Cincinnati AI Catalyst (CaiC).As the Editor-in-Chief of ‘AI in Precision Oncology,’ the first peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to this field, he plays a pivotal role in advancing research. He is also an active board member of the American Cancer Society and ACCC, where he contributes to advocacy, education, and innovation within the cancer community.