Overcoming Your Roadblocks: A Physician's Guide to Navigating Change When it’s Time to Move On

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in December, 2023.

If you’re feeling stuck in your practice, torn between your current role and the pull toward something different, you’re not alone. In the old paradigm, physicians assumed they’d join a practice after training and remain there until retirement. Especially in private practice, moving locations, switching roles, or stepping away from clinical work altogether was rare and even stigmatized.

But the landscape has changed. Across every sector, more physicians are re-evaluating what fulfillment means—and realizing that staying true to your values may require reimagining your role, whether within your current system or beyond it.

It’s a deeply personal realization, and one that can feel both unsettling and energizing. And it’s becoming increasingly common.

In fact, a recent Mayo clinic survey reported that one in five physicians plan to leave their practices within the next two years, and one in three expect to reduce work hours. A second study found that amongst academics, one in three felt a moderate or greater intention to leave. And a 2023-2024 AMA survey of nearly 18,000 physicians from more than 100 health care systems reported similar finding across all physicians. What’s more, the number may be closer to 40 percent in some specialties, including Anesthesiology, Radiology, and Vascular and General Surgery. Burnout, excessive EHR requirements, and lack of support from their organizations were primary issues cited in these studies.

All of this is to say that if you're considering a change, you’re not alone. But that doesn’t make the decision easy. Physicians are often motivated by loyalty and compassion. But we are also creatures of habit, and veering off the well-worn path can feel daunting.

You’re someone who’s used to thinking independently and making critical decisions, but it’s likely that your roadmap was clearly defined from the start: college, medical school, residency, maybe fellowship. As long as you followed this straight and narrow track, and nothing unexpected knocked you off course, you would make it down the road. Waiting for you at the end of the trail would be a satisfying profession, a place of respect in your community, and a happy home life to balance it all out.

Over the past decade, that promise has faded for many physicians. Burnout due to lack of autonomy, higher patient demands, a sicker and older population, falling reimbursements, the unrelenting pace of EHR tasks: all have contributed. So have our increasingly disconnected healthcare systems. It’s not surprising that more and more doctors are reflecting on what they want from their careers, and what might need to shift.

Moving on is sometimes the best and healthiest choice. But change doesn’t always mean leaving your organization or giving up your practice altogether. Sometimes transformation begins by renegotiating how you work: seeking new roles, advocating for flexibility, or crafting a job description that better aligns with your strengths and goals.

Still, thinking about change of any type can feel like stepping into the unknown. The hardest part is often getting started. It may even feel as if your feet are stuck in quicksand. That’s normal. But once you begin, you’ll discover that your momentum will build and possibilities will unfold as you continue to move forward.

In this article, I’ll give you seven actionable steps that can help you move forward when you’re feeling stuck.

1. Self-Reflection

Before deciding what’s next, take time to reflect on what matters most, both professionally and personally. You don’t need to know the final destination yet, but clarity around your values, interests, and strengths is essential.

Journaling for a few minutes each day can help. Ask yourself:

❓What are my defining values? How do I want to manifest those values in my daily life?

❓What aspects of my current role energize me—or drain me?

❓What skills do I love using? And what would I be happy to give up?

❓How do I want to feel at the end of each day?

❓What would I regret not doing, both personally and professionally?

❓How will any change I make impact my loved ones, either positively or negatively?

Making time for self-reflection will lay the foundation for building a more aligned, satisfying professional life, whether that’s in a new place or a new role within your current setting.

  2. Recognize Your Triggers and Limiting Beliefs:

When you’re contemplating change, it’s natural for doubts to arise: “I can’t start over,” “I’m too far along,” “What would my colleagues/ family/friends think of me?” or “I’m lucky to have a job—why rock the boat?”

Instead of pushing these thoughts aside, examine them:

❓What stories am I telling myself?

❓What are these beliefs protecting me from?

❓Are they actually true—or just familiar?

❓What would it take to feel more confident in exploring a new path?

❓If there are meaningful limitations that are holding me back, how can I close the gaps?

Acknowledging and challenging these beliefs is a key step toward moving forward.

 3. Seek Guidance

 Talk to mentors, colleagues, or others who’ve made career shifts, whether big or small. You may be surprised by how many have reimagined their roles without leaving their organizations. Others may have made audacious shifts and found greater fulfillment. And some may have dealt with regrets and learned from their mistakes. The point is not to recreate anyone’s story, but rather to understand that your own possibilities may be more expansive than you realize.

Tapping into others’ experiences can offer both perspective and inspiration. Just be thoughtful about whom you confide in—especially if your plans are still unfolding.

 4. Set Achievable Goals

Break your career change into smaller, manageable goals. This not only makes the process less intimidating but also gives you a way to envision the road ahead.

Rather than winging it and hoping for the best, create a timeline with defined milestones. These might include:

✅Gaining specific qualifications or licensure

✅Attending relevant conferences,

✅Researching places you might want to live

✅Identifying internal opportunities that might better align with your goals

✅Exploring part-time or leadership roles within your system

✅Updating your CV or LinkedIn profile

✅Reaching out to potential employers or colleagues in your desired field.

Use the SMART framework—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—to track your progress and stay motivated.

 5. Reframe Setbacks as Lessons

 Rejection can sting. And not every door will open right away. Setbacks are part of any meaningful journey. Instead of seeing them as failures, view them as data.

What did you learn? What might you do differently next time? What can you take with you to the next opportunity?

Stay rooted in your “why,” and let that guide your next move.

 6. Get Comfortable with the Unknown

 Uncertainty is normal. It’s uncomfortable, especially if you’ve grown accustomed to defined pathways. But the unknown becomes less intimidating when you ground yourself in research and preparation.

If you’re exploring a nonclinical role, learn the landscape. If you’re considering a new position, understand the expectations, workflows, and culture. And if your skills need to be refreshed, find out what you need to do to make that happen, then make a plan to get it done.

The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel taking the next step.

 7. Keep an Open Mind

You don’t need to have everything figured out right now. Stay open to possibilities while keeping your perspective grounded. Often unexpected new opportunities will present themselves while you are putting in the work.

Seek input from those you trust, but recognize that you’re the one who knows yourself best. Give yourself the space to grow into what’s next.

Final Thoughts

Redefining your path as a physician takes courage, clarity, and commitment. You’ve honed these skills over the past decades of training and professional practice. Now, it’s about using them to design the life that you want to live. Whether you're stepping into a new career, transitioning into a different role within your current system, or simply giving yourself permission to explore, start by addressing the internal roadblocks that stand in your way.

Be willing to ask bold questions and take thoughtful action. Most of all, trust in your ability to create a more fulfilling and sustainable future.

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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.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

The Power of the Pause: Creating Engagement and Presence

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in November 2023.

If you’re a surgeon or proceduralist, you already know the power of a timeout. That intentional pause before a procedure—where the entire team stops to confirm the plan, clarify roles, and ensure nothing has been missed—is more than a safety checklist. It’s a brief, structured moment of presence.

What if you took the concept of taking a pause out of the OR or the lab and into the other demanding parts of your day? Taking a moment to come up for air between office visits, meetings, or complex patient care could help to clear your mind and reset your focus. But my guess is that very few of us actually do this.

Backed by Data: The Power of a Brief Reset

Research from Microsoft's Human Factors Lab supports the idea that taking a personal pause can not only help you to reset but may even improve your engagement with your next patient or procedure.

Since this was Microsoft, the study looked at the way people engaged in meetings. The 14 subjects were tasked with wearing an EEG while participating in video meetings. Each meeting lasted 30 minutes. On one day, they took part in four back-to-back meetings, without a break. On the other, each meeting was followed by a 10-minute pause. Instead of simply checking their phones, the participants meditated with the Headspace app.

The results were striking: analysis of brain wave activity revealed that even a short meditation pause led to increased engagement in the meeting that followed.

Conversely, with no pause, there was EEG evidence of greater stress during the next meeting.

We often equate productivity with hours slogged and logged. But this study—and others like it—suggest that sustained engagement may be a more meaningful, and healthier, metric.

The business world may embrace concepts like mindful pauses, but applying them in healthcare can be more challenging. Between the unending inbox, your dwindling support staff, and the push to do just one more thing, the pace can feel relentless.

But that’s exactly why building in brief, intentional moments of stillness—even just a breath between tasks—can be so powerful. These moments give you a chance to regather and reharness your energy and your focus.

Practical Strategies for Pressing Pause

How can you begin to practice taking a pause? It’s not always practical to take a 10-minute break for meditation in the middle of a busy day. But even a few mindful moments can help. Here are a few practical tips that can help you to create a little breathing space for yourself and to be more present for your patients:

Breathe Mindfully

Take a few deep, intentional breaths before going in to see a difficult or complex patient. Focus on the sensation of the breath entering and leaving your body. This simple act can help anchor your awareness to the present moment.

Body Scan

Conduct a quick body scan to release tension. Start from the top of your head and gradually move down to your toes, paying attention to any areas of tightness or discomfort. Allow these areas to relax, even if it’s just a little.

Mindful Observation

Take a moment to observe your surroundings without judgment or reactivity. Notice the colors, textures, and sounds in your environment. This brief shift in attention can provide a mental break and promote a sense of calm.

Name What You’re Feeling

Before moving on to the next patient or task, pause to mentally name what you’re feeling. That could be anything. Perhaps it’s overwhelmed, focused, frustrated, or calm. It doesn’t really matter whether it’s positive, negative, or neutral. This brief check-in helps increase your emotional awareness and gives you a chance to reset before shifting gears.

Feel Your Feet

As you’re walking down the hall or in from the parking lot, take a moment to bring your awareness to the sensation of your feet on the ground. Feel the pressure and the contact as your shoes connect with the floor. This small act of grounding can quickly bring you back to the present.

Set an Intention

Before a meeting or procedure, pause for a few seconds and mentally set an intention. Perhaps it’s “Stay focused,” “Listen with awareness,” or “Lead with presence.” A clear intention can shape how you show up, even in high-pressure moments.

Hand Over Heart

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or scattered, place your hand over your heart and take a few deep breaths. This simple gesture engages your parasympathetic nervous system and can create a sense of grounding and self-compassion.

From Personal Practice to System Shift

Taking a mindful pause is not just a momentary escape from a hectic schedule. By taking a few moments of stillness to reset, you access a powerful way to recharge your energy, sharpen your focus, and deepen your connection with the people you care for. Over time, these brief pauses become an investment in your well-being and in the quality of your presence.

It’s time for healthcare organizations to embrace what companies like Microsoft have already realized: sustainable performance requires space to pause. These moments can’t just be the responsibility of the individual—they must be supported by the system. When organizations stop trying to fill every second and instead allow time for reflection and reset, they empower physicians to stay engaged, energized, and able to deliver their best care.

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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.

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Stop Being So Hard on Yourself: Five Reasons To Celebrate Physicians

If you’re like many physicians, it may be easy to lose sight of your value. Healthcare today faces unprecedented challenges and stressors, and it’s sometimes hard not to take it personally.

Physicians in particular are some of the worst at self-flagellation. It’s common to feel frustrated and disappointed when you feel as if you haven’t lived up to your own ideals, or those that are imposed on you. Some days it can seem as if being a doctor is a thankless task. Doctor’s Day comes once a year, but your work is never done. So I’d like to share five reasons that you deserve to be appreciated and celebrated every day.

You Want to Do Good in the World

Medical practice is a field that naturally attracts individuals who are both highly intelligent as well as driven by a desire to impact the world positively. But wanting to do good and actually doing the work are two very different things. You do the work. Although your efforts may not always be acknowledged, your actions, big and small, directly affect the health and well-being of your patients and your community.

You Do Hard Things Every Day

Physicians face an array of challenges daily, from navigating complex medical and social issues to making life-saving decisions under pressure. On top of that, societal, economic, and administrative pressures may add levels of frustration that test your empathy and determination. The work of a physician requires an extraordinary level of resilience and fortitude, especially when, despite your best efforts, things don’t always turn out as you’d hoped or expected. It is no exaggeration to say that this level of commitment and grit far exceeds that of most other professions.

You Are Passionate About Your Work

Passion is the lifeblood of innovation and motivation. Physicians often pursue their profession because of a deep-seated passion for healing and discovery. This enthusiasm is often what spurs you to continually learn, grow, and push the boundaries of what is medically possible. Even on days where you feel less than enthusiastic, your years of focus and commitment drive you to do your best work.

You Come from All Walks of Life

Each physician comes to the profession with a unique array of backgrounds and experiences. Whether you come from a rural town or a large urban community, from a US metroplex or a country thousands of miles away, each physician carries a distinctive set of perspectives and skills. This diversity enhances your ability to connect with and care for a wide range of patients with a rich mix of cultures and viewpoints.

You Are a Change-Maker

Physicians are often at the forefront of change, not only in their clinics or hospitals but also in the broader context. Collectively, you have the power to initiate significant health policy reforms, improve patient care standards, and lead community health initiatives. What you do makes a difference in ways, big and small, that ripple out into the world.

As a doctor, you are not just a healthcare provider or a widget in a faceless system. You are a resilient, passionate, and dedicated professional committed to making the world a better place, one patient at a time. Most importantly, the work you do matters.

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.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.