Focus on Physicians:
Insights, Ideas, and Strategies
Start with Who You Want to Be: Reframing Success for Physicians
The "have, do, be" concept is a way of thinking about how we relate to the world around us. According to this framework, it’s easy to build our lives around the belief that our possessions, actions, or achievements will make us happy or fulfilled.
But in truth this way of thinking can actually hold physicians back from achieving their dreams.
Instead, you can flip the switch by reflecting on who you want to be right now.
An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in May, 2023
Do you ever find yourself daydreaming, thinking that if you only had (x) then you could do (y), and finally be (z)? Perhaps if you only had more time, more money, a (different) spouse, or (fill in the blank), then everything would fall in line.
This is what is known as the Have-Do-Be mindset. It was first described by the late psychologist and spiritual teacher Ram Dass in the 1970s, but it remains remarkably contemporary.
Put another way, the “have, do, be” concept reflects a pattern of thought around fulfillment and success.
Through your years of education and medical practice, you may have learned to organize your goals around the belief that if you simply acquire the right things—whether possessions, titles, or achievements—then you will naturally do the right things, and finally you will be happy or fulfilled.
By experiencing the world through this lens, your sense of well-being may become tied to what you acquire or accomplish, rather than who you are and how you live day to day
Although it might sound logical, in truth, this way of thinking can actually hold you back from achieving your dreams. It can make you a passive observer, giving up your power and your agency in service to an imagined future over which you may in fact have very little control.
There’s another way to look at things. Instead of focusing on what you wish you could have, and what you feel you can’t yet do, you have the option to flip the script and begin again with a more empowering question: Who do you want to be right now?
When you begin with who you want to be, the next steps often become more clear. Decisions about what to do start to fall into place. What you ultimately have, or what you might visualize as success, may not always arrive right away. But each action taken in alignment with your values moves you closer to the life you want to create. And along the way, you may discover that the goal you originally imagined evolves into something even richer and more fulfilling.
Be
Reversing the script can feel uncomfortable because it forces you to become accountable to yourself.
Getting started right now, rather than waiting for some unmapped date in the future, can be unsettling. Let’s be honest— sometimes it’s easier to daydream rather than to take action. And searching for firm footing to define exactly who you want to be can feel a little awkward.
But there are a few simple steps that can help you to get there with more clarity and certainty. And once you begin, you may even discover a sense of calm and purpose that might have felt elusive before.
The key to getting started is to identify your own personal guiding principles.
Begin by asking yourself what kind of person you want to be, both personally and professionally. In other words, what are your core values? How can you live them out in your work as a physician and in your broader life as a friend, partner, parent, citizen, community member, or individual?
This exercise can be enlightening and sustaining. If you’re looking for a guided way to define your own personal values, my Core Values Worksheet can help.
Do
By naming your core values and aspirations, you can make intentional choices rather than simply reacting to external pressures or other people’s expectations.
Your priorities and goals will become clearer and more personal. And from there, you’ll be able to define the steps you need to take to keep yourself on track.
It doesn’t have to be complicated, and you don’t have to make a life-changing commitment to get started. Doing could be as simple as setting aside a little protected time each day to work on your most meaningful goals. You may surprise yourself by what you discover as you work through this process.
Have
In defining your values and taking action, you begin to build a life that aligns with who you are today and who you hope to become.
The “have” part of this equation will become more tangible and attainable, rather than simply a dream.
Don’t be surprised if your direction takes an unanticipated turn along the way. As you move towards your own North Star, your goals may shift a little, or maybe even a lot. That’s often not a failure of navigation. Instead, it may be a sign that you are now on your own path.
Most importantly, if you’re feeling stuck, a small action can get you out of a rut. Setting aside a 15-minute block each evening to plan the next day is a simple place to start.
Clarity rarely appears before action. Take the first step, and trust yourself as the path begins to unfold.
If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.
If you’d like to learn more about my coaching practice, you can schedule a complimentary introductory meeting by clicking the link below.
Strategies for Success for New Physicians in Outpatient Care
If you’re just getting started in practice, or starting over in a new job, it’s important to set yourself up for success right from the start. This is true whether your career path is in academics or the private sector.
In this article, we’ll focus on five key areas that will help you provide the best care while managing the demands of a busy practice. Developing these strategies early on can improve both patient outcomes and your own well-being.
If you’re just getting started in practice, or starting over in a new job, it’s important to set yourself up for success right from the start. This is true whether your career path is in academics or the private sector.
Starting out on the right foot is not as difficult or mysterious as it might seem, but it can make all the difference to both your professional trajectory and your personal fulfillment.
In this article, we’ll focus on five key areas that will help you provide the best care while managing the demands of a growing practice. Developing these strategies early on can improve both patient outcomes and your own well-being.
1. Master Time Management and Efficiency
Let’s be honest. Managing a busy outpatient schedule without sacrificing the quality of care can seem daunting. Physicians often find themselves juggling patient visits, charting, and administrative duties without a definite plan. This can easily lead to inefficiencies.
If your position includes hospital work, supervising, or teaching responsibilities, these added challenges can snowball very quickly. But taking shortcuts only leads to more complications and frustration for both you and your patients.
Your strategy for success: Developing effective time management skills is crucial. Prioritizing tasks, utilizing electronic health record (EHR) templates, and implementing workflows that streamline documentation can save you valuable time.
Task-batching and time blocking are crucial skills that will serve you well. Try to limit the amount of time you spend returning to unfinished tasks by getting them completed as soon as possible.
Think about putting in a few hours up front to set up your chart management systems, including smart phrases and, where feasible, appropriate AI integration. Don’t be afraid to create a workflow to delegate simple tasks when it’s appropriate. When you organize your day efficiently, you will not only reduce after-hours work, but you’ll also improve patient care and satisfaction.
2. Cultivate Work-Life Balance
It’s become normal and sometimes even expected that your working day will bleed into your personal time. In the current environment, this often morphs from a slow drip to a frank hemorrhage. This lack of control not only impacts you and your family, but ultimately can have a negative impact on your patient care.
Maintaining clear boundaries between your professional world and your personal life is essential to avoid burnout. The importance of your own well-being cannot be overstated. When you’re burned out, you’re more likely to make mistakes that impact your patients’ lives
Your strategy for success: Consider setting aside specific times for charting and answering messages, so you can limit after-hours communication. This is a technique known as task batching. By grouping a chunk of similar tasks together, you’ll achieve greater focus and get more done.
Don’t overlook your own well-being. Scheduling time for self-care activities such as exercise or relaxation can help you recharge and maintain a sustainable work-life balance.
If there is a hobby or activity that you’ve been yearning to try, simply get started. Don’t expect perfection or even competency. Just do it for the joy of trying something new.
3. Build Strong Patient Communication and Relationships
Building strong relationships with your patients is key to delivering effective care. When patients trust you, you will deliver your care more efficiently, and you’re likely to see fewer after-hours messages and questions.
Your patients want to feel seen, heard, and cared for. However, developing this rapport can be challenging when time is limited, and managing patient expectations or difficult conversations can often feel overwhelming, especially for new physicians.
Your strategy for success: First, keep your charts current. When you go into the office visit armed with accurate and up-to-date information, your patients will feel more confident that they are in good hands.
Setting expectations early is important when managing difficult situations, especially when dealing with complex diagnoses or treatment plans. But having the data at hand and a plan in place is not always enough.
Of equal importance, your communication style matters. Listening actively, showing empathy, and offering clear explanations can improve the experience for your patient and inspire greater confidence in your care.
4. Sharpen Your Clinical Decision-Making Skills
As a physician, making sound clinical decisions quickly and confidently is part of the job. Dealing with the more complex cases can be challenging, especially when you’re still building your clinical experience.
In training, you’re continuously learning, but it’s important to remember that you’re never done. To be a doctor is to be a perpetual student. For optimal patient care as well as your own professional fulfillment, it’s critical to stay up to date.
Your strategy for success: Staying current with evidence-based guidelines and refining your decision-making process will help you feel more confident when faced with uncertainty. Using decision support tools, collaborating with colleagues, having an excellent referral network, and continually educating yourself on new developments will ensure that you make informed decisions efficiently and wisely.
In addition to maintaining your CME requirements, consider subscribing to a service like JournalWatch, which sends out regular emails summarizing important research from multiple medical journals. Stay curious and engaged.
5. Cultivate Emotional Resilience and Stress Management
Outpatient care can be emotionally demanding, and it’s common for physicians to experience stress or compassion fatigue. To be clear, the role of healthcare systems cannot be overstated. If your situation seems toxic, it might be reasonable to look for other opportunities that are a better fit. But often there are constructive and sustainable ways to improve the status quo.
More and more healthcare systems are offering coaching and other resources. When possible, take full advantage of those opportunities, or find your own. To ensure long-term success, it’s essential to build resilience and develop ways to manage the pressures of the profession.
Your strategy for success: Incorporating stress-reducing strategies into your daily routine—such as good nutrition, mindfulness meditation, and regular physical activity—can help you manage the emotional demands of the job.
Building a support system of colleagues, friends, and family can also provide an outlet for discussing challenges and staying emotionally balanced.
Take advantage of coaching and other services that might be offered through your institution or professional groups. Or seek out a coach that specializes in physician burnout and related issues. If you are experiencing depression or other mental health challenges, contact a mental health professional. You deserve to feel well, happy, and invigorated.
Conclusion
Starting and maintaining your career in outpatient care comes with its own set of challenges, but by focusing on these five key strategies, you can build a strong foundation for success.
Mastering time management, improving patient communication, and developing emotional resilience will not only enhance your professional satisfaction but also improve the quality of care you provide.
By investing in your personal growth and well-being, you can thrive as a physician while maintaining a balanced and rewarding lifestyle.
If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.
If you’d like to learn more about my coaching practice, you can schedule a complimentary introductory meeting by clicking the link below.