When we think of our strengths, it is tempting to concentrate on those skills that we have honed and narrowly focused on over the years, as increasing specialization and sub-specialization have become conventional wisdom for success. In the process of doing so what we may in fact be doing is not only building in a […]
Embracing the Mosaic of all your Talents Read More »
“It seemed to be a necessary ritual that he should prepare himself for sleep by meditating under the solemnity of the night sky… a mysterious transaction between the infinity of the soul and the infinity of the universe.” ~ Victor Hugo Rituals, both religious and secular have been part of human cultures the world over,
Changing Routine to Ritual Read More »
Have you thought about this question? At some point in our careers some form of this question will probably arise. Ideally, it would be something that we might reflect upon before we are in crisis. For years, we as physicians are focused on acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to practice our profession. Skills that
Physicians: Are you designing your career or is it designing you? Read More »
I’ve come across many hard-working people in my professional life. I’ve also known my fair share of devoted martyrs. Martyrs rarely inspire, instead they immerse others in their self-sacrifice. Despite their dedication, joy struggles to permeate their self-denial. What is the Martyr Complex? Although, some individuals may be more prone to martyrdom than others, it
Hard Work vs. Martyrdom: Physicians Beware! Read More »
When Ross Bentley, a retired Indy car driver and world-renowned car racing coach discovered the work of Carol Dweck, an eminent Stanford psychologist, who has spent years studying human motivation, he was elated to find her research confirmed what he had discerned in his years of coaching race car drivers. Dr. Dweck has determined that
Imagine designing your own compass, where you replace the cardinal directions with a word, a person or a phrase that illustrates the “direction” that you plan to use as your heading for that day. How often do we begin each day without having made these conscious choices about how we are going to approach the
How To Set A Powerful Heading On Your Daily Compass Read More »
Listening to and acknowledging the stories that patients narrate represents an intrinsic part of the interaction between doctor and patient. Telling their story allows a patient “to be heard’-“to be seen”. When a patient reveals their story a moment of trust, vulnerability and connection has been created. Through these stories an opportunity has arisen to
Physician: Know Your Own Story Read More »
After years of education and training the meaning and purpose of medicine deeply embeds itself in the “DNA” of physicians. Burnout was already at an all-time high in physicians prior to the pandemic, and has only worsened since its onset. For some physicians, despite their best efforts, their desire to practice medicine, particularly in the
Physician Career Change: Beware the “Sunk Cost Fallacy”. Read More »
How can you leave clinical medicine and still make a difference? What can replace the privilege of hearing a patient’s story and being part of another human being’s journey through illness, sorrow, joy, relief? Bearing witness to the gamut of human experience and emotions is after all the essence of being a physician. Yet, there
Physician Career Change-Impact has Many Faces Read More »
“We are not nouns, we are verbs. I am not a thing-an actor; a writer–I am a person who does things–I write, I act–and I never know what I am going to do next. I think you can be imprisoned if you think of yourself as a noun.” Stephen Fry Brainstorming
Physician Career Transition- Shifting from a Noun to a Verb! Read More »
