The Hidden “Deep Work” of Medicine: Why Your Inbox Is More Demanding Than It Looks

For many physicians, the electronic health record (EHR) inbox is considered “light work.” It’s necessary but unrewarded. The only metric that matters is whether it gets done within a prescribed time frame.

A closer look reveals more depth: A message from a worried patient. A lab result that’s a little bit off. A radiology report that raises more questions. A preauthorization for a needed test. They’re important and necessary, but something you’re expected to squeeze in between patients, or finish at the end of the day.

Let’s be clear: It’s not light work when you

⚕️take the time and mental energy to thoughtfully review a complex lab trend

⚕️interpret an imaging report in context of the past medical history and recent symptoms

⚕️advocate for your patient with a persuasive argument to a nameless utilization review auditor

⚕️respond to a nuanced message

In many cases, it’s exactly what productivity expert Cal Newport would call deep work.

What Is “Deep Work”—and Why Does It Matter in Healthcare

Cal Newport describes deep work as cognitively demanding high-value work that requires sustained focus, careful thinking, and meaningful decision-making.

Many inbox tasks fit the definition of deep work. They may be considered task completion, but in reality it’s clinical decision-making. And this work often requires the same level of focus as seeing a patient face-to-face.

The Hidden Cost: Attention, Energy, and Time

One of my recent coaching clients—a highly skilled subspecialist—put it perfectly: “It’s not only the volume, which is a lot. It’s the work of thinking.”

Patients are complicated human beings. Decisions about their care are rarely binary, and small, easily overlooked details can change management. Reviewing the chart, searching out records from the hospital or outside sources, and responding to a patient’s concerns takes time and mental energy.

Because inbox work is not formally structured into the clinical day, it often gets pushed to the margins. That usually means between visits, during lunch, at the end of the day, or at home, late at night.

One physician I know gets up in the middle of the night to work on his charts, because it’s the only time he can work without interruptions.

It’s easy to see how these strategies can lead to cognitive fatigue and even burnout. Increased risk of errors, an anxiety-producing sense of always falling behind, and difficulty feeling finished at the end of the day are natural consequences of a perpetually replenishing inbox.

This physician-level work largely goes uncompensated. But because it happens in small, fragmented pieces, it’s easy for both institutions, and physicians themselves, to underestimate its true impact.

The Mismatch: Deep Work in a Fragmented Environment

According to Cal Newport, deep work requires:

🔺Focus

🔺Time

🔺Continuity

But the typical clinical environment offers:

🔻Interruptions

🔻Time pressure

🔻Constant task switching

This mismatch is at the heart of why inbox work feels so draining, and why it can be a driver of moral distress. You’re being asked to do cognitively demanding work in conditions that actively undermine your ability to do it well.

A Call to Healthcare Leaders

If we continue to treat inbox work as administrative overflow, we will continue to underestimate its impact on physician capacity, decision-making, and patient care.

It’s time to take a closer look:

⭕ How much cognitively complex work is being done outside of scheduled hours?

⭕ How often are physicians expected to perform deep clinical thinking in fragmented time?

⭕ How can this work be fairly compensated?

⭕ How can tasks be pre-screened and delegated to other qualified staff members when appropriate?

Instead of relying on physicians to absorb this work at any cost, how can systems better support them in doing it well?

Providing the time and space for deep work in all its forms is essential for both physician sustainability and high-quality patient care.

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Strategies for Success for New Physicians in Outpatient Care

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in September 2024

If you’re just getting started in practice or beginning a new role, it’s important to set yourself up for success from the very beginning. Whether your career path is in academic medicine, a large healthcare system, or a private practice, the habits and systems you develop early on can shape both your professional trajectory and your personal well-being for years to come.

The good news? Although delivering excellent care is a given, success in outpatient medicine is not simply about working harder. It’s also about building sustainable systems and developing strong communication skills, while at the same time protecting your own well-being.

In this article, we’ll focus on five key areas that can help you thrive in outpatient practice while managing the demands of a growing clinical workload.

Master Time Management and Efficiency

Let’s be honest: managing a busy outpatient schedule without sacrificing the quality of care can feel overwhelming. Physicians often find themselves juggling patient visits, charting, inbox messages, and administrative tasks without a clear strategy. The result? Late nights spent finishing notes, mounting frustration, and an overextended staff.

If your role also includes hospital responsibilities, teaching, supervision, or research, the complexity grows quickly. And while it can be tempting to cut corners just to survive the day, shortcuts often create even more stress and inefficiency down the road.

Your strategy for success:

Developing strong time management skills early on is crucial. Prioritize workflows that reduce unnecessary friction and preserve your attention for the work that matters most.

Consider:

⭐Using EHR templates and smart phrases thoughtfully

⭐Building efficient charting workflows

⭐Creating systems for task delegation when appropriate

It’s also worth investing a few hours up front to customize your EHR tools and workflows, including appropriate AI-assisted documentation if available within your system.

When your day is structured intentionally, you’ll not only reduce after-hours charting, but you’ll also improve patient care, communication, and overall satisfaction.

Cultivate Work-Life Balance

In medicine, it’s become increasingly common for work to spill into personal time. What starts as “just finishing a few charts” can gradually become evenings, weekends, and vacations consumed by unfinished work.

Over time, that lack of control affects not only you and your family, but also the quality of care you provide. Chronic exhaustion and burnout can impair focus, increase the risk of mistakes, and diminish your sense of fulfillment in medicine.

Your strategy for success:

Create clear boundaries intentionally rather than waiting for them to appear naturally. One of the most important skills you can develop early in your career is learning when to say “no,” and when to say “later.”

As a new physician, opportunities may come quickly — committee invitations, leadership projects, research collaborations, teaching requests, and extra clinical responsibilities. While some of these opportunities can be valuable, saying yes to everything often leads to overload and resentment.

Before taking on additional responsibilities, pause and ask yourself:

❓Does this align with my long-term goals?

❓Do I realistically have the time and energy for this right now?

❓What will I need to give up in order to say yes?

Sometimes the answer truly is “no.” Other times, “not right now” is the wiser and more sustainable choice.

Protecting time for rest, relationships, exercise, and activities outside of medicine is not selfish. It helps preserve the energy, focus, and emotional presence needed to care well for your patients over the long term.

If there’s a hobby or interest you’ve been wanting to explore, give yourself permission to begin, without expecting perfection. Reconnecting with curiosity and enjoyment outside of work can be deeply restorative.

Focus on Connection and Communication

Strong patient relationships are at the heart of excellent outpatient care. When patients trust you, communication becomes more effective, visits become more efficient, and misunderstandings are less likely to spiral into repeated calls or after-hours messages.

Patients want to feel heard, respected, and cared for. But building rapport can feel difficult when schedules are tight and complex conversations are emotionally demanding.

Your strategy for success:

Start with preparation. Keeping charts current and reviewing key information before the visit helps patients feel confident that they are in capable hands.

But communication is about more than preparation alone. Your ability to listen actively, communicate clearly, and respond with empathy has a major impact on both patient outcomes and patient experience.

Especially when discussing complex diagnoses or treatment plans, setting expectations early and explaining decisions clearly can reduce confusion, improve adherence, and strengthen trust. Over time, strong communication skills can also make your workday easier and more rewarding.

Sharpen Your Decision-Making Skills

As a physician, you are constantly asked to make important decisions, often quickly, and sometimes with incomplete information. Early in practice, managing uncertainty can feel especially challenging.

But one of the most important things to remember is this: becoming an attending does not mean your skillset is complete. Medicine is continually changing. Lifelong learning and continual refinement of clinical judgment is part of the job, and something that makes this work both challenging and fulfilling.

Your strategy for success:  

Stay engaged and intellectually curious.

In addition to maintaining CME requirements:

✅Stay current with evidence-based guidelines

✅Use clinical decision support tools when appropriate

✅Build strong referral and consultation networks by meeting and collaborating with your new colleagues

✅Get to know your more experienced colleagues, and respectfully reach out to them when you need their input

Resources such as journal summaries, evidence-based newsletters (like NEJMClinician), and curated educational platforms can help you stay informed without becoming overwhelmed by information overload.

Most importantly, recognize that confidence grows through repetition, reflection, and experience. You’re not expected to know everything on day one.

Cultivate Emotional Resilience and Stress Management

Outpatient medicine can be emotionally demanding. Physicians routinely navigate uncertainty, grief, high expectations, administrative burden, and emotionally charged interactions.

And while personal resilience matters, it’s important to acknowledge that physician burnout is not an individual failure. Healthcare systems play a major role, and the cost of burnout affects everyone, including patients.

If your work environment feels consistently toxic or unsustainable, it may be time to explore other opportunities that better align with your values and well-being. Still, there are often constructive ways to improve your day-to-day experience and protect your emotional health without exiting your practice or career path.

Your Strategy for Success:

Incorporate stress-reducing practices into your routine before you reach a crisis point.

This might include:

⭕Regular physical activity

⭕Mindfulness and/or meditation practices

⭕Adequate sleep

⭕Nutritious meals

⭕Time outdoors

⭕Meaningful social connection

Building a strong support system matters too. Trusted colleagues, friends, family members, mentors, therapists, or coaches can all provide perspective and emotional support during difficult periods.

Many healthcare organizations now offer physician coaching and wellness resources. Take advantage of those opportunities when they’re available. And if you are struggling with depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns, seeking professional support from a therapist is a sign of wisdom, not weakness.

You’ve worked hard to get here. You deserve to feel healthy, engaged, and fulfilled in your career.

Building a Sustainable Career in Medicine

Starting your career in outpatient medicine comes with real challenges, but it also offers tremendous opportunities for growth, connection, and meaningful impact.

By developing strong systems for time management, communication, decision-making, and well-being, while also building strong professional relationships, you can build a more sustainable and rewarding career.

Success is not simply about endurance. It’s about creating a way of practicing that allows you to continue showing up with skill, presence, and humanity over the long term.

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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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In the Media: Medscape on Physician Focus and Attention

I was honored to be featured recently in a Medscape article discussing one of the greatest challenges facing physicians today: constant interruption and fragmented attention.

Physicians are expected to manage complex cognitive work while navigating inboxes, notifications, documentation demands, and frequent disruptions. But fragmented attention can have serious consequences, not only for physician well-being, but also for patient care.

One of the ideas I shared in the article is that attention is a finite resource. When physicians are repeatedly interrupted, it becomes harder to engage in the kind of deep thinking that complex patient care often requires.

There’s no question that healthcare infrastructure needs to change in order to support physicians to do their best work. Meanwhile, if you’re a physician struggling with overwhelm, fragmented attention, or difficulty finding time for meaningful work, physician coaching can help you create more sustainable systems and protect your focus.

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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.

If you’d like to learn more about my coaching practice, you can schedule a complimentary introductory meeting by clicking the link below.

My Podcast Appearance with Kevin MD on Meditation and Mindfulness for Physicians

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in January, 2024

I enjoyed my conversation with Kevin Pho, M.D, where we explored how mindfulness can have far-reaching effects not only for yourself, but for the people you care for. We talked about the best times to meditate, when it may not be helpful, and how even a brief pause can shift your sense of well-being.

As a physician coach, I often return to this idea because it captures something important: a simple, brief practice can create a meaningful impact.

At the same time, it’s important to be clear about what mindfulness is, and what it isn’t. Despite some well-intentioned but overly simplified messaging, mindfulness is not a band-aid for the deeper challenges within healthcare. It cannot replace the structural changes that are so clearly needed.

Instead, mindfulness is powerful support for your ability to stay present and engaged in a complex and unpredictable environment.

Mindfulness offers a way to pause in the middle of a busy day and reconnect with the present moment, without judgment or reflexive reaction. It creates space. And in that space, you can re-center and reset.

For physicians, even a brief moment of presence can shape how you show up with your patients, your colleagues, and yourself. Over time, this can support stronger relationships built on trust, respect, and genuine attention.

I hope you enjoy the podcast.

The Sunk Cost Fallacy: When Physicians Struggle with Change

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in September, 2024

When I first learned about the concept of the “sunk cost fallacy”, it felt as if a giant lightbulb had clicked on in my head.  Suddenly, so many old misaligned decisions began to make sense.

The term, borrowed from economics, describes our tendency to keep investing in something that is no longer aligned with our goals or values, simply because we’ve already put so much into it.

Sunk costs include all the time, energy, and resources you’ve already put into your current situation, whether that’s a job, a relationship, or even a major purchase. These accumulated investments can shape our decisions for years, often pulling us further away from what truly matters to us.

For physicians, the concept can be especially trying. You may have poured years of training, effort, and identity into building a practice or reputation, even when it no longer feels like the right fit.

Understanding the Sunk Cost Fallacy

The sunk cost fallacy helps explain why change can feel so difficult. Even when you recognize that your current path is no longer sustainable, or no longer sustaining, you may still feel compelled to stay.

However, this is precisely where the fallacy lies. The time and energy you've already spent are, by definition, "sunk"—they cannot be recovered, no matter what you decide to do next.

So the most important question is not about the past. It’s about the future: Is staying where you are, be that literally or figuratively, the best decision for your long-term goals, well-being or fulfillment? Or is it time to cut your losses and move on?

Moving Beyond the Sunk Cost Fallacy

If you’re feeling unfulfilled, overworked, or simply stuck in a role that doesn’t align with your goals or values, it may be time to consider a change. But how do you overcome the weight of sunk costs?  Here are a few ideas to help you move forward:

Acknowledge the Fallacy

Recognize that your past effort is not wasted if you choose a new path.

Everything you’ve done has shaped you and prepared you. That includes your clinical judgment, your perspective, your resilience. Those are not losses. They are assets you carry forward.

Focus on the Present and Future

Instead of looking backward, ask:

• Is my current role or situation sustaining me and helping me to grow, or is it holding me back?

• Is it supporting my well-being, or draining it?

• Am I contributing in a way that feels aligned with who I am now?

Then look ahead:

• Where do I want to be in five or ten years?

• Does staying where I am move me closer to that vision?

Reframe the Leap

A new role may feel like starting over—but it isn’t.

Physicians often underestimate the value of their experience. Even though change can feel unsettling, you are not starting from scratch. Instead, you are bringing your depth, skill, and insight forward.

Seek Support

If you’re wrestling with this decision, you don’t have to do it alone.

Talking with trusted colleagues, mentors, or a physician coach can help you see more clearly and move forward with confidence. A coach, in particular, is not invested in the outcome of your decision. That neutral aspect of coaching can help you gain clarity in a way that a colleague might not be able to do.

Stop Letting the Past Decide Your Future

Don’t let past investments of energy and time keep you anchored in a place that no longer fits.

Change can feel uncertain, but your experience is not lost. It has prepared you for what comes next. You may be surprised by the value it holds.

Whether you’re seeking a new role, a leadership path, or a more creative phase of your life, understanding your strengths, and investing in your growth, will help you move forward.

By letting go of what no longer serves or supports you and following your internal compass, you give yourself permission to build a career, and a life, that honors your past while moving you into your 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.

If you’d like to learn more about my coaching practice, you can schedule a complimentary introductory meeting by clicking the link below.

The Unexpected Downsides of Meditation: A Guide for Physicians

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in August, 2024

As a physician coach and certified mindfulness meditation teacher, meditation has been a powerful and sustaining practice for me for many years.

Mindfulness meditation has been shown to improve focus and to reduce stress and burnout. It can even improve sleep quality.

But while meditation offers many benefits, there are also a few drawbacks that are less often discussed. That’s what I’ll cover in this article. With the growing popularity of meditation and meditation apps, it’s important to remember that meditation is not for everyone.

What Is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment, on purpose and without judgment. It means noticing what’s happening—your thoughts, emotions, body sensations, or surroundings—without immediately reacting or trying to change them.

You don’t have to be sitting still or even meditating to be mindful. You can practice mindfulness while walking, eating, listening to a patient, or even washing your hands between visits. It’s more about how you are paying attention than what you are doing.

Mindfulness vs. Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness and mindfulness meditation are closely related, but they are not exactly the same.

Mindfulness is a way of being. It’s an ongoing quality of awareness that you can bring into everyday life.

Mindfulness meditation is a more formal practice. It usually involves setting aside time to sit quietly and focus your attention, often on the breath, while noticing when your mind wanders and gently bringing it back.

In other words, meditation is one way to practice mindfulness, but it’s not the only way. And some forms of meditation (like mantras and visualizations) aren’t mindfulness practices.

If meditation doesn’t feel right for you, informal mindfulness practices may feel more accessible and sustainable. These might include:

🪷 Making time for a brief pause between patients

🪷 Taking a few slow, deep breaths while scrubbing for a case

🪷 Noticing the feel of your feet on the ground while making rounds in the hospital or walking in from the parking lot

Potential Downsides of Meditation for Physicians

For some people, meditation may have unintended, and unexpected consequences. Sometimes, simply changing the time of day or duration of practice can make all the difference. In this article, we’ll explore the potential downsides, along with strategies to help you get the most benefit from meditation and mindfulness practices.

Mental Health Impact

Because of its inward focus, meditation can sometimes bring up uncomfortable emotions or past traumas. While many people with anxiety benefit from meditation, some may find that it initially intensifies their symptoms.

Of course, it’s normal to feel a little restless or uneasy when you are not used to sitting quietly. Cultivating stillness can take time. But if anxiety persists, or if intrusive thoughts feel overwhelming and difficult to release, meditation may not be the right fit for you.

And while detachment is often a goal of mindfulness meditation, some people may develop a distressing sense of disconnection from reality.

Longer meditation sessions, including retreats, are more likely to cause this type of trouble. If you are prone to anxiety or depression, it makes sense to keep your sessions to 20 minutes or less and to approach meditation gently.

Seek professional guidance if intense emotions or memories arise that are difficult to manage on your own.

Insomnia

Mindfulness meditation can improve your sleep quality. But practicing focused meditation at bedtime might actually make your mind more alert, making it harder to fall asleep.

You may find it more helpful to meditate earlier in the day, such as in the morning, midday, or before leaving work, so you can reset your focus without interfering with sleep. Or seek out sleep meditations that are designed to help your mind rest.

Decision Making

For many people, mindfulness meditation can improve decision-making speed and help with goal setting for positive outcomes.

But if you tend to overanalyze or strive for the “best” possible choice, you may find that mindfulness practices may sometimes amplify this tendency. Instead of moving forward, you may find yourself stuck in rumination, lingering over the possibilities.

If this happens, it can help to pair mindfulness with action. Fore example, setting limits on decision time or committing to small next steps.

Physical Discomfort

Sitting for extended periods, especially without proper support or in an uncomfortable posture, can lead to back pain, muscle stiffness, or joint pain.

When meditating, ensure you are sitting in a comfortable position, perhaps using cushions or a chair for support. You might even find it more comfortable to meditate lying down.

Another option is walking meditation. You can find these types of meditations on most meditation apps.

Many people are not aware that the physical practice of yoga developed as a way to prepare the mind and body for meditation. Yoga works by releasing stress and strain in the muscles and guiding you to consciously slow down your breathing pattern.  When time permits, consider incorporating gentle stretching or yoga before meditation.

Using Meditation Thoughtfully

Meditation can be a powerful tool for improving focus, reducing stress, and supporting overall well-being. At the same time, it’s important to recognize that it doesn’t work the same way for everyone.

Starting with shorter sessions, paying attention to how you feel, and ensuring physical comfort can help minimize potential downsides.

If meditation brings up persistent emotional discomfort or distress, it’s important to seek guidance from a qualified professional.

For many people, setting the stage for meditation with gentle stretching or yoga can make the practice more accessible and sustainable.

If meditation isn’t for you, don’t force it. Instead, you can find a similar mental reset by simply taking a brief walk or finding a minute between patients to take a few slow, deep, purposeful breaths. Like any meaningful practice, mindfulness works best when it’s approached with curiosity, flexibility, and respect for your own experience.

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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.

If you’d like to learn more about my coaching practice, you can schedule a complimentary introductory meeting by clicking the link below.

My Interview on the Enlightened Anatomy Podcast

What a pleasure it was to meet with Matthey Huey of the Enlightened Anatomy Podcast! Matt and his partner, Andrew McGonigle, have created a community, The Enlightened Yoga Collective, that is focused on evidence-based yoga teaching. As a yoga teacher myself, and a yoga practitioner for nearly 30 years, this is a topic that is near and dear to my heart.

We talked about the ways that yoga, mindfulness, and heart health connect, and how you can put this into practice. We also touched on the importance of knowing where health information comes from, and how misinformation, often from social media, can lead to mistrust of physicians and fuel physician burnout.

You can find our conversation anywhere you listen to podcasts, or through the Spotify link below. I hope you enjoy it!

My Podcast Interview with Matthew Huey of the Enlightened Anatomy Podcast

When Work Follows You Home: The Hidden Cost of “Work-Life Integration”

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in August, 2024

Unless you’ve been in practice for decades, you may not remember a time when work didn’t follow you home. EHRs, patient portals, and telemedicine are part of the everyday fabric of medical practice. Over time, these tools, first touted as efficiency builders, have changed not only how care is delivered, but also where work lives, increasingly extending into the time and space that once allowed for rest and recovery.

The Myth of Seamless Integration

Against this backdrop, “work-life integration” has been offered as a solution. Rather than separating work from personal life, the generally well-meaning idea is to blend the two to create flexibility and make it easier to manage competing demands.

In theory, it sounds reasonable. But in practice, it often means something else entirely.

For physicians, integration rarely looks like meaningful flexibility. More commonly, it translates to constant accessibility. This often means responding to patient messages, completing documentation, and managing administrative tasks outside of scheduled work hours, or even on vacation.

As a result, work doesn’t simply shift location. It expands. And over time, that expansion has become normalized and often expected.

The Professional Cost of Always Being “On”

The concept of work-life integration encourages multitasking, which science has shown to be a misnomer.

Multitasking in fact isn’t true parallel processing. In reality it’s rapid task-switching. And that comes at a well-defined cost:

• increased cognitive load

• decreased focus

• reduced accuracy

• fatigue

This common scenario is a set up for:

• Medical errors.

• Missed details

• Impaired decision-making

But beyond that, there’s a deeper cost. When you are continuously stretched, your capacity for empathy, curiosity, and engagement begins to narrow. Work begins to feel more transactional and less sustainable. And everyone, from your patients, to your loved ones and family, and yourself, suffers.

The Illusion of Flexibility

Personal time exists for a reason. By definition, it makes room for the parts of your life that cannot be fulfilled at work. Ironically, work-life integration is often marketed as freedom. But let’s be honest about how it plays out. You’re probably not bringing your toddler or your elderly mother to your office. And you’re not taking a walk with your EHR.

Personal time is where you:

• connect with family

• rest and recover

• move your body

• nurture your spirituality

• engage in relationships and activities that require your full attention

These are not things that can be meaningfully “integrated” with clinical work.

More often, the flow is one-directional. Work spills into life, shrinking and fragmenting the limited space that remains.

And over time, something subtle but important happens: You are no longer fully present anywhere.

A More Honest Path Forward

If we want physicians to thrive, we need to move beyond language that sounds good but doesn’t hold up in practice.

For healthcare systems, this means:

• reducing unnecessary administrative burden

• minimizing “click work”

• allowing support staff to manage appropriate tasks

• creating environments where focus, not fragmentation, is supported

For physicians, it means reclaiming boundaries: protecting your attention, your energy, and your capacity to think clearly, and to care.

The Bottom Line

The concept of “work-life integration” is not inherently harmful. But it often becomes a justification for constant availability, and that is not sustainable. When work is everywhere, it becomes difficult to be fully present anywhere.

To sustain balance, you need a center of gravity. That comes from creating the conditions for both your work and your personal life to fully exist, so that your time, energy, and attention are not continuously claimed by one at the expense of the other.

Remember that balance is not just about managing your work; it’s also about nurturing and protecting what gives your life meaning and joy.

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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.

If you’d like to learn more about my coaching practice, you can schedule a complimentary introductory meeting by clicking the link below.

How Do You Know if You’re Burned Out? A Guide for Physicians

An earlier version of this article was published on this website in April 2023.

Physician burnout may be out of the headlines, but it’s not a thing of the past. During the COVID-19 pandemic, burnout levels reached record highs, affecting more than 60 percent of physicians. While the pandemic is behind us, burnout rates remain stubbornly elevated.

Today, nearly half of physicians still report symptoms of burnout. That’s well above the pre-pandemic baseline of about 38 percent in 2020.

And even though the topic is no longer taboo, many physicians still find themselves wondering: Am I burned out? Or is this something else?

The challenge is that burnout isn’t always easy to recognize. This matters, because naming a problem is often the first step towards taking action. If you can’t name it, it’s harder to change it.

In the sections that follow, we’ll explore who’s most affected, how burnout is defined, the hidden costs, and a few simple ways to assess whether burnout may be affecting you.

Where Burn-Out Hits Hardest

Burnout hits physicians across the spectrum, but topping the list of burnout-inducing specialties are

💉Emergency Medicine

💉Family Medicine

💉OB-GYN

💉Pediatrics

💉Internal Medicine

💉Hospital medicine

Although burnout has decreased in all of these groups over the past several years, more than 40 percent of doctors surveyed in these specialties still report classic symptoms of burnout.

Why Burnout Matters

Not only is burnout demoralizing, but it has real consequences for physicians, patients, and the healthcare system.

Burnout has been linked to:

🔥 Increased physician turnover

🔥 Rising healthcare costs

🔥 Lower job satisfaction

🔥 Higher risk of medical errors

A 2019 study reported a conservative yearly cost of burnout to the US healthcare system of $4.6 billion dollars.

Is Burnout Just a Feeling?

Burnout is often misunderstood.

It’s easy to assume that burnout is simply a matter of stress management—or even a failure of resilience. But that’s not the case.

In fact, physicians tend to demonstrate higher levels of resilience than the general population, yet they also experience greater rates of burnout. While resilience is associated with lower burnout, even highly resilient physicians are not immune.

That’s because burnout is not a personal weakness or a failure to keep up. It’s not a mental illness that needs treatment. Burnout reflects a mismatch between the demands of the work and the resources available to meet those demands.

So how do you know if you're burned out?
❓ A. Is it just a feeling?
❓ B. Is it something we can measure?

If you answered B, you're right. Burnout isn’t just a vague feeling of unhappiness or a trending term. There are standardized tools to measure burnout. The most widely used assessment is the Maslach Burnout Inventory, which has been used in research and clinical settings since 1981.

You’re never too old— or too young. Burnout affects physicians across all career stages and ages, including residents and fellows. If you’re experiencing burnout, it’s important to understand that burnout is not your fault, and you’re not alone. Here’s what you need to know:

What Burnout Actually Means

According to the World Health Organization and the ICD-11, burnout results "from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed." That means that it is considered an occupational phenomenon, not a mental illness.

Symptoms of burnout include:

🚫 feelings of low energy or exhaustion
🚫 negative feelings or cynicism about your job
🚫 loss of motivation and a sense of detachment from work

Check In with Yourself

If you're wondering whether you're experiencing burnout or simply going through a difficult period, you could complete the Maslach Burnout Inventory.

Or you could start with something simpler. Productivity researcher Chris Bailey created a Two-Minute Burnout Inventory that offers a quick way to assess your current stress and burnout level. Even this short self-assessment can help you recognize patterns you may have been ignoring.

If You’re Burned Out, Don’t Struggle Alone

Burnout can feel isolating, but it can help to know that you’re not alone. Many physicians are facing the same challenges.

There is growing recognition that systemic changes in healthcare are essential to address physician burnout. That includes fundamental changes to the EHR along with better support for physicians’ focus, attention, and workflow. Encouragingly, many healthcare systems and professional organizations are beginning to take this issue more seriously. But systemic change takes time.

In the meantime, taking steps to support your own well-being is essential. Your health, your relationships, and your patients all depend on it.

Coaching can be one helpful strategy. Studies, including a randomized controlled trial published in 2024, have shown that professional coaching can significantly reduce physician burnout and improve well-being. Through coaching, physicians can clarify their priorities, set meaningful boundaries, and explore practical ways to align their work with their time, energy, and professional goals.

Finding Your Way Forward

There are no easy answers to the complex challenges facing healthcare today. But understanding your own values, priorities, and needs can help you navigate the path forward.

Burnout may feel overwhelming when you’re in the midst of it, but gaining clarity about your priorities, your time, and how you want to work can help you take intentional steps toward a more sustainable and fulfilling career and life.

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Mindful Journaling for Re-Thinking Your Career in Medicine: Staying, Leaving, or Practicing Differently

There comes a time for many physicians when troublesome questions begins to surface:

• Can I continue practicing in this way?

• What needs to change to make my practice sustainable?

• Is it time to move on?

• Are there other ways to use my skills, knowledge, and gifts that I haven’t yet imagined?

These questions, which may arise at any phase of your professional life, don’t always yield easily to analysis. In fact, thinking harder, what we might call ruminating, often makes problems feel less resolvable. Instead of finding clarity, you may begin to feel more uneasy, more torn, caught in a whirlwind of what-ifs and afraid of making the wrong choice.

This is a good time to tap into your inner wisdom, and this is where journaling can help.

In my work with physician clients facing difficult questions, I often encourage journaling as a reflective practice. It’s a simple, analog way to get in touch with your own inner life. In many ways, it’s a form of mindfulness. Writing by hand often works best, as this tends to create a strengthen the mind-body connection and deepen awareness. But choose what feels most comfortable and accessible for you.

The journaling reflection that follows is not meant to force a decision. Instead, it is an invitation to listen differently, to slow down and give your mind the space it needs to breathe.

To begin, set aside anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. Choose a time when you can take a quiet and uninterrupted pause, maybe at the beginning or end of the day. Let your intention be to meet your own presence rather than productivity.

Step 1: Name the Question (Without Answering It)

Write the question that keeps returning for you. Perhaps that’s:

• Is it time for me to change the way that I am working?

• Is there a way to practice that feels more sustainable?

• Who am I if I am not in my current practice?

• What would it mean to me to leave medicine altogether?

Your question could be something else entirely. Perhaps it’s very personal, or maybe it’s connected to your family. No matter what question you choose to sit with, choose something that matters to you.

Once you’ve acknowledged your question in this simple way, write:

Right now, I don’t need to answer this question. I am simply acknowledging that it is here.

Pause, breathing in and breathing out, before moving on.

Step 2: Notice How the Question Lives in the Body

Without analyzing, reflect on:

• Where do I feel this question in my body?

• What does it feel like? Is it tight, pressing, restless, dull, vibrating, sharp, or charged? Maybe it is simply a weight, or something else.

• What happens if I stop trying to solve it, even briefly? How does the sensation change?

Write what you notice. If an answer feels clear, sit with it for a while. If it doesn’t, give it time. Resist the urge to fix.

Step 3: Release the Urgency to Decide

Complete one or more of the following phrases:

• When I try to force an answer, I notice that I feel…

• What I am most afraid would happen if I don’t decide soon is…

• If I trusted that clarity will come in its own time, what would soften right now?

Allow your writing to be honest and unedited.

Step 4: Remember How Insight Has Emerged in the Past

Think of a time, whether personal or professional, when an important decision became clear without effort.

• What was happening around that time?

• What was my state of mind or body?

• How did that sensation of knowing feel when it arrived?

Write without trying to draw conclusions.

Step 5: Give the Answer Time to Grow

On a new page, write:

I am allowing this question to rest.

Then ask yourself:

• What helps me stay grounded while this question matures?

• What kind of space, support, or pacing allows clarity to emerge naturally?

• What would it mean to trust my capacity to find my way?

• Who or what might support me in staying present with this question, rather than rushing toward an answer?

A Closing Reflection

Before you stop writing, choose one sentence you can return to when stress or anxiety rises. For instance:

• I don’t need to have all the answers right now.

• I can rest here in this moment, and it’s ok.

• I trust myself and my inner wisdom.

Life is not a board exam. Some decisions are not meant to be rushed. They are meant to be lived with until, in their own time, they resolve themselves into something that feels steady, clear, and right. This is not the same as avoidance.

Keep this in mind:

• You are not behind.

• You are not failing.

• You may simply be in a necessary period of transition.

Allowing uncertainty to remain present is not procrastination or a dismissal of its importance. It is a necessary first step. Action taken without intention can easily lead you off course.

Return to your journal daily if possible; even a weekly practice can be transformative. With time and mental space, the next step often becomes clear. If the weight of the process feels heavy or unwieldy, a physician coach can serve as a trusted thought partner, helping you to reflect, stay grounded, and find your own way forward.

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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.

Start with Who You Want to Be: Reframing Success for Physicians

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.

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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.

If you’d like to learn more about my coaching practice, you can schedule a complimentary introductory meeting by clicking the link below.

Twelve Tips for Creating Realistic To-Do Lists for Busy Physicians

An earlier version of this article was published on this website in July, 2023.

Creating a realistic and actionable To-Do list can feel like a daunting task when you feel like you’re just trying to keep your head above water. But the truth is that your To-Do list can free up hours of your valuable time, create structure out of chaos, and help you to reach goals that will bring you closer to the life you’re dreaming of.

In this article, I’ll share twelve realistic and actionable tips that will help you create a sustainable to-do list practice. You don’t have to do everything at once to make a difference. Choose one or two to begin, and check in with yourself in a week to notice what has changed.

Write it Out

Instead of relying on your computer or your phone, write out your daily to-do list by hand and carry it with you.  Research shows that handwriting notes, including important schedule reminders, activates the brain’s memory functions more strongly than entering the information into an electronic device. My favorite tool is my Bullet Journal. But a simple piece of paper that you can slip into your pocket will do.

Don’t Include Everything

Your To-Do list should not include patient appointments, consults, rounds, or other foundational tasks of your practice. Instead, use it to create and keep track of tasks such as

✅Meetings

✅Strategic tasks

✅Study time

✅Personal appointments

✅Exercise

✅Meditation

✅Creative projects

✅Family commitments

✅Home projects

✅Anything else that feels meaningful and important

Schedule a Weekly Appointment with Your List

Choose a regular time each week to devote ten to fifteen minutes creating a list of your weekly tasks and goals. For me, Sunday evenings work best.

Be sure to include projects that may not be due the following week, but that might require planning over the next several weeks to months. That might mean breaking the project down into more manageable pieces. For those tasks, make a note of the deadline so that you can plan accordingly. These might include

⭕Lectures

⭕Papers

⭕Vacation planning

⭕Studying for boards

⭕Tax preparation

⭕Business planning

⭕Writing an article

⭕Learning a new skill

Take Ten Minutes Every Evening

Each evening, take ten minutes to review your tasks from the day, revisit your weekly task list, and create a list for the following day.

Don’t fall into the trap of adding more things to the list than you can reasonably accomplish. That can create a sense of failure, even if you’re checking off most of your boxes and getting things done. Instead, keep a separate list of longer-term goals and a general range of time required to complete each task. By revisiting that list regularly and keeping your plans realistic, you’ll set yourself up for success.

Prioritize, Delegate, and Delete

Prioritize your tasks so that the most important things get done first.

Before committing to your To-Do list, take a look to see if there are tasks that you can delegate or automate. If so, decide how you are going to do that and who needs to be involved, and put those steps on your list. Although this can take some time to work out at the beginning, it will save you multiples of time once you’ve put the process in place.

And don’t overlook the power of deletion. If there are things that are no longer important, saying no can be freeing. It will also open up more time for things that matter.

Batch Your Tasks

Now that you have your To-Do list, think about how you might organize or cluster several related tasks together. This is known as “batching”. Mentally, this keeps you from constantly switching context, a hazard of multitasking. It can also help you to avoid procrastination.

By batching your tasks, you’ll optimize your time and keep your focus. And that will give you more breathing room, or margin, for the things that matter the most to you.

Take Advantage of Unexpected Open Time

Consult your list when you find yourself with unexpected open time, especially when the tasks only require limited blocks of concentrated effort. Even 10 minutes of focused work can reduce your in-box burden.

Use a Timer

When possible, use a timer to encourage yourself to maintain focus. This could be on your phone, or you might even purchase an hour-glass to give yourself a visual cue. Twenty- to thirty-minute segments can be great for getting into a flow. But when you’re struggling to get started, even a five-to-ten-minute commitment can get the task launched.

The most important thing is to overcome the inertia that might be holding you back. If possible, turn off notifications on your phone or computer to limit interruptions during high-focus times.

Budget Your Energy

Think about optimizing the way you use your time. Do an energy audit for a few days to discover your peaks and valleys.

It might not always be possible, but try to use your low-energy times, like late afternoon or the end of a busy day, for things that demand the least amount of focus. And use the times where you have the most mental energy for those commitments that require creativity and mental flow.

Beware of the Energy Drain from Your Devices

Although device use is a necessity of life, it can also be an attention drain. Consider setting a timer for checking email or surfing the web, or putting limits on your apps. And whenever possible, batch your email time so that you’re not constantly checking your inbox. Delete, unsubscribe, or delegate whenever possible.

Make Time for a Pause

Whenever feasible, give yourself time for a mental pause. Most people need at least 5-10 minutes per hour in order to maintain optimal focus. Although that may not always be realistic during the busiest times of your workday, even a mindful breath can help you to reset before a stressful encounter.

Consider adding a short daily meditation to your To-Do list. You can use this as one of your mental pauses. A brief meditation using one of many available apps (including HeadSpace and Waking Up) may help you to re-focus the mind and let go of the stress of the day. By practicing mindfulness meditation regularly for even a few minutes, you’ll train yourself to become more present and less irritable.

Don’t Give Up

No matter how you structure your To-Do list, remember that it can take several weeks for a habit to stick. Choose a method that will be easy to access and easy to remember. If you skip a few days, simply start over. Begin to take a little time at the end of each day to review the day’s tasks and set up your list for tomorrow. You may be surprised how far it will take you.

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My TechLink Health Podcast Interview with Doximity’s Amit Phull

It was a thrill to interview Dr. Amit Phull of Doximity for the latest TechLink Health podcast!

I’ve been using Doximity since its early days, and have seen it evolve from a must-have resource into a trusted ally in healthcare. During the pandemic, Doximity made the pivot to virtual visits easy and accessible for many of my patients, for which I am eternally grateful.

As an Op-Med Fellow from 2022-2023, Doximity also gave me a platform to share insights and connect deeply with physicians from around the country and the world. For full disclosure, I am also a (very minor) investor in the company.

Lately, Doximity has ventured into AI with the integrity and transparency that physicians have come to expect from this trail-blazing company.

Amit also shares his background in both technology and Emergency Medicine, and how he came to work with Doximity. He is a fantastic example of the way that luck favors the prepared.

You can find our conversation anywhere you listen to podcasts, or through the Spotify link below.

My Podcast Interview with Dr. Amit Phull of Doximity

How to Get Started as a Medical Writer: Writing for Patients and the Public

An earlier version of this article originally appeared on Doximity.com, where I was an Op-Med Fellow from 2022-2023.

Since 2009, I’ve written about health and medicine for the public. I’ve authored four books for lay readers and contribute regularly to GoodRx’s patient education website. My work has received national recognition, and along the way, I’ve learned a great deal about the craft of writing, the business of publishing, and what it takes to build a presence in the popular press.

To be clear, the term “medical writing” covers a wide range of genres. This article is for physicians who want to write evidence-based health books and articles for the general public, including patients, readers, and consumers seeking clear, accurate, and trustworthy medical information. While physicians pursuing other writing paths may recognize common themes, my focus here is specifically on public-facing health communication.

Other forms of medical writing that I’m not covering in this article include:

• Pharmaceutical or regulatory writing

• CME or corporate medical communications

• Grant writing

• Creative writing, memoir, or fiction

While strong writing skills are crucial no matter which path you’re on, these other forms of writing follow different conventions and often require distinct training, structures, and professional goals.

A Dose of Reality

Before diving in, I think it’s important to set expectations. Writing for the public can be meaningful and professionally enriching, but unless you already have a significant platform, it rarely becomes a major source of income.

That’s not meant to discourage you. Writing is a deeply rewarding way to clarify your position, share information, and get in front of a larger audience than you might otherwise find. You’re likely to meet a whole world of interesting people, including editors, publishers, and fellow authors. And perhaps most importantly, medical writing is a great opportunity deepen your own knowledge base.

In this article, I’ll share my own journey as a medical writer, including my pitfalls and successes. I’ll also offer suggestions that may make your own process easier and more rewarding.

My Path Into Medical Writing

Like many physicians, I had written journal articles and delivered lectures for many years. As a woman in cardiology beginning in the early 1990s, I was often invited to speak about women and heart disease. Over time, I became comfortable translating complex research into conversational language.

That skill became the foundation for my first book, The Smart Woman’s Guide to Heart Health, published in 2009. I’ll be honest. This was not a quick or easy process. It took me several years, carving out 30 minutes here and there to work on my project, but the knowledge I accumulated made me a better physician and communicator.

My book began as a way to address my patients’ questions about diet, supplements, exercise, stress, and other issues that impact cardiovascular health. My training had prepared me very well to take care of critically ill patients, and to competently manage preventive medical care, but like many physicians, I had a very shallow understanding of the impact of diet and lifestyle, and I knew virtually nothing about supplements. These were the questions that my patients kept bringing to me, and I wasn’t comfortable simply addressing their concerns superficially.

The Financial Realities of Writing for the Public

My first book was published through an independent press. I paid for editorial services and marketing support. Although I was proud of the result, and my patients and private group practice loved it, I never recouped my financial investment.

Two years later, I decided to take a shot at getting a contract with a traditional publishing house. This time, I received an advance, and the book, Best Practices for a Healthy Heart: How to Stop Heart Disease Before or After it Starts, was published in 2011. Just a few months after I signed the contract with the publisher, my practice was acquired by a large healthcare organization.

That experience taught me another important lesson: traditional publishers expect authors to take an active role in marketing their own work. At the same time, physicians employed by hospital systems or academic institutions may face significant restrictions on outside promotion. This second unanticipated and unfortunately timed issue proved to be a serious barrier for me.

I had assumed my book would be viewed as an opportunity to elevate the practice within the new healthcare system, but instead, I discovered that my ability to promote it was quite limited by the organization’s bylaws, which prohibited outside work. It’s a detail that you might not expect, but one that deserves careful consideration before signing a contract.

Based on my experience, I suggest that before signing any publishing contract, you should understand:

• Marketing expectations

• Rights and royalties

• Institutional policies where you work, or where you intend to seek employment

• Platform requirements

Nevertheless, having now created a body of work as a medical writer, in 2014 I was asked to co-author The DASH Diet for Dummies with two well-known dietitians. My co-authors were happy to take on the bulk of the promotional work. That book is now selling steadily in its second edition, and a third edition is on the way.

Financially? Writing has not dramatically changed my bottom line. But professionally it has given me more opportunities than I could have imagined.

What Medical Writing Can Do For You

Writing health-focused articles and books for the public can:

• Deepen your expertise

• Sharpen your communication skills

• Build your professional credibility

• Expand your professional opportunities

• Amplify your voice beyond the walls of your clinic

Over time, consistent writing also shapes your professional identity. You may begin simply as “a physician who writes.” But gradually, you’ll become a translator of evidence, a trusted voice, or an educator whose reach extends far beyond the exam room.

Writing connects you with editors, journalists, and thoughtful readers who may broaden your perspective and challenge your thinking. For me, those relationships have been one of the most meaningful rewards of the process.

Practical Steps to Get Started

If you’re a physician wondering how to begin writing health content for patients or the public, here are practical steps.

Start small

Create a one-page patient handout. Write a 600-word article answering a common clinical question. Draft a short educational series.

You don’t need to tackle a book to begin. Small projects will help you test whether you actually enjoy writing.

Write in plain language

Academic tone does not translate well to consumer health writing. Instead, write the way you speak to a thoughtful patient:

• Short sentences

• Clear explanations

• Concrete examples

• Minimal jargon

You won’t get extra points for sounding erudite. One rule of thumb that I have learned in my work as a freelance writer is to write for a 6th to 7th grade reading level.

Start a Blog or Build a Portfolio

You don’t need a complicated website. Even a simple blog updated monthly is enough to:

• Build consistency

• Create writing samples

• Clarify your niche

• Demonstrate credibility to editors

Consistency matters more than frequency, especially if you’re hoping to gain traction with internet search engines.

Reach out to editors and newsletters

Once you’ve written a few pieces and have your bearings:

• Pitch local newspapers or magazines with commentary on new research or healthcare issues

• Write short LinkedIn posts about emerging topics

• Search for consumer health writing opportunities like Connectively, where journalists are often looking for quotes

• Check out physician job boards for freelance writing postings

• Sign up for speaking engagements for public groups in your area

Understand the importance of platform

Traditional publishers place significant weight on what they call “platform,” a term that reflects your ability to reach and engage an audience.

Platform may include:

• Email subscribers

• Social media following

• Speaking engagements

• Media appearances

This is not about gimmicks or self-promotion. Those might get attention, but you’ll undermine your credibility. Instead, think about how you might create authenticity and inspire trust. Publishers want evidence that readers are already paying attention. If you hope to pursue traditional publishing, begin building your platform early and intentionally.

Consider an e-book

Writing a book is a major commitment, but you don’t have to have a contract to get started. Self-publishing has made it easier than ever to share your expertise, and it can be an excellent entry point.

But quality still matters. If you want your work to reflect your professionalism and your expertise, invest in skilled editing. There’s no substitute for a second set of expert eyes.

Find an agent

Having gone through the process of traditional publishing several times, I can tell you that writing a book is not for the faint of heart. The hours you put into it may never be compensated. But there is nothing like the feeling of your own book in your hands. If you are really intent on working with a traditional publisher, you will need a literary agent. Resources such as Publisher’s Marketplace and Writer’s Market can help you drill down your options.

A Word About Medical Writing for Industry

If your goal is full-time employment as a medical writer—working in pharma, regulatory affairs, or corporate communications—that is a different path entirely.

It often requires:

• Formal medical writing training

• Knowledge of regulatory standards

• Familiarity with submission processes

• Structured collaboration with cross-functional teams

The American Medical Writers Association can be a great place to get started. They have resources, communities, and job posts that can be valuable for people who are seeking to expand their scope of writing.

Conclusion

You likely won’t get rich writing health books or articles for the public.

But you may:

• Become a clearer thinker

• Develop a recognizable voice

• Build influence beyond your clinic

• Create unexpected professional opportunities

• Deepen your own understanding of medicine, healthcare, and the people you care for

Writing is an act of service. It is also an act of intellectual discipline.

If you feel drawn to begin, start small. One page. One article. One idea clearly expressed. You may be surprised where it will lead.

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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’re interested in learning more about my coaching program, you can schedule an introductory meeting by clicking the link below.

How to Begin a Meditation Practice: A Guide for Physicians

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in July, 2024

As a cardiologist, a certified mindfulness meditation teacher, and a yoga teacher, I’ve been fortunate to learn from a diverse group of mentors, ranging from world leaders in cardiology to a former Buddhist monk.

I learned about the power of meditation early on in my professional life and found that the presence and equanimity it cultivated inspired both my medical practice and my life outside of medicine.

More recently I have had the privilege of participating in the Enhanced Stress Resilience Training (ESRT) program, originally developed for surgeons. This evidence-based and academically rigorous program was developed through the Department of Surgery at University of California San Francisco and continues to expand.

ESRT integrates mindfulness-based skills such as metacognition, emotional regulation and interoception for surgeons and other clinicians working in environments defined by high stakes, intense pressure, and constant expectations. Meditation is a key aspect of this program.

If meditation sounds a little too nebulous, out-there, or maybe even intimidating, it can help to remember that meditation is something that many of our key thought leaders practice on a daily basis. It’s not a passing trend or a fad. Mindfulness meditation has been part of modern healthcare since the 1970s, when molecular biologist Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D.  founded the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Meditation is not just about feeling calm. It can strengthen core clinical skills, improving your ability to focus on details and regulate emotions under stress. It may also improve your sleep quality and even contribute to better cardiovascular health.

Meditation is for all of us. You don’t need a guru or even a class. In this article, I’m sharing some simple ways that you can get started with meditation.

Start Small

Begin with just 3-5 minutes of meditation each day. Even brief practices can be surprisingly beneficial when practiced regularly. If a few minutes feels manageable, you can experiment with a 10-minute session and see how that feels.

Some people prefer longer meditations, but it’s good to know that when scientists compared 10-minute to 20-minute sessions, there was very little difference in overall mindfulness measures. Consistency matters far more than duration.

Use Guided Meditations

If you're new to meditation, guided practices can be very helpful. They provide structure, direction, and reassurance—particularly when your mind feels busy or skeptical.

Many excellent apps and online platforms offer free or low-cost sessions tailored to different needs and preferences. Some good options are Head Space, Waking Up, Insight Timer, and Calm.

Find a Quiet Space

It’s hard to meditate when there are too many external stimuli, especially when you are just starting. Although you can learn to meditate anywhere, begin by choosing a quiet, comfortable place where you are unlikely to be disturbed. If you can close a door and put your phone in do-not-disturb mode, so much the better.

Eventually you’ll be able to incorporate this sense of focus and ease into your daily life wherever you happen to find yourself.

Focus on Your Breath

One of the simplest ways to begin meditating is by focusing on the breath. Close your eyes and take slow, steady breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.

There are many ways to work with the breath, but there’s no need to overthink it. Settle into a rhythm that feels natural. By gently returning your attention to the physical sensation of breathing, you give your mind a stable anchor.

Go for a Walk

Walking meditation is an ancient and well-established mindfulness practice.  Rather than using the breath as your anchor, you bring purposeful attention to the sensation of your feet meeting the ground.

Traditionally, walking meditation is slow and contemplative, often practiced back and forth along a short path. It’s not about getting somewhere. It can be done in the space of your living room, but there’s no reason you couldn’t use your walk from the parking lot to the hospital or office as a walking meditation.

Many meditation apps include guided walking practices. And while traditional walking meditation isn’t fast, some runners find that rhythmic, attentive running becomes meditative when they focus fully on each stride.

Be Consistent

Like anything else, getting started with meditation is a habit to be cultivated. Since briefer meditations of 5-10 minutes can be highly effective, let go of the idea that longer is better.  

You might start with a goal of three or four five-minute sessions per week and see how that feels. If you don’t notice an immediate shift, don’t be discouraged. Research suggests that eight weeks, but not four, of daily meditation can lead to measurable improvements in mood, attention, and fatigue.

Listen to Your Inner Wisdom

It’s important to know that meditation isn’t right for everyone. For instance, although many people with anxiety find meditation helpful, others may notice increased anxiety or a sense of disconnection, particularly with practices that last for more than 30 minutes.

If meditation is not right for you right now, you may find that simply taking a mindful pause can create a meaningful difference in a hectic day.

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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.

My Podcast Interview on Burnout and Misalignment with James Nutter on A Life Well Lived

I had another fascinating conversation with James Nutter of IM Wealth on his podcast A Life Well Lived: A Physician's Guide to Wealth. In this episode, we focused on the ways that living out of alignment with your personal values can lead to burnout, disappointment, and disengagement.

Giving name to your values is powerful, because it breathes life into them. This acknowledgement of who you are and what you stand for can give you the insight you need to create a life that feels purposeful and personally fulfilling. And naming values that you share with your spouse or loved ones can also help to connect you more deeply to the life you are living together now and the shared future you are dreaming of.

In this episode we discuss:

🔥 Why burnout is not a personal failure

🔥 How chronic misalignment shows up as anxiety, fatigue, cynicism, or numbness

🔥 Why achieving impressive goals can still feel empty

🔥 The importance of clarifying personal values before setting career goals

🔥 How a personal mission statement can act as a decision-making filter during hard seasons

🔥 Practical ways physicians can advocate for healthier systems without burning bridges

Rather than beginning with a run for the exit from clinical practice when your values don’t line up with your organization, we discuss how you can start with building alignment, optionality, and agency. We explore how small but intentional systems — both personal and organizational — can reduce burnout at its source and restore a sense of meaning and coherence to your life. And we look at ways that you can design calculated shifts that over time will help you to create a sustainable and joyful life.

If you are feeling trapped, exhausted, or uncertain about your next step, this episode offers both validation and direction. Burnout is not proof that you are broken. Often, it is information which, when understood clearly, can become a catalyst for wiser, more aligned change.

Besides being an inspiring podcast host, James specializes in holistic financial guidance for physicians. I don’t formally endorse specific services or financial advisors, but I value his empathetic perspective and his insight into the unique challenges that physicians face.

You can find our conversation anywhere you listen to podcasts, or through the Spotify link below.

How to Manage Interruptions and Limit Attention Residue: A Guide for Physicians

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in July, 2024

It’s not just your imagination. It really is more challenging than ever to maintain your mental focus at work.

💉 EHR alerts

💉 Phone notifications

💉 Interruptions from staff

💉 Attention sapping apps

💉 Email

All of these and more conspire to make staying focused a daily struggle for many physicians, regardless of specialty.

Repeated interruptions and the lingering effects of shifting attention, known as attention residue, can severely hamper not only your effectiveness and productivity, but also your personal well-being.

Resolving the current state of disorder in healthcare will require systemic change, including a fundamental shift in the functionality of many EHRs. But protecting your headspace now is a critical skill that can help you stay above the fray.

In this article, we’ll explore strategies that you can use to retake control of your mental focus, manage interruptions, and minimize attention residue in your daily life and practice.

Understanding Attention Residue

Attention residue happens when you switch tasks, but a part of your mind remains stuck on the previous task.

The little breadcrumbs that remain can jumble up your thoughts and make it harder to focus. And once you’re interrupted, no matter whether the issue was urgent or trivial, it’s easy to drift over into another unrelated brain drain, such as checking your email or social media, rather than returning to the task at hand.

Realistically, interruptions have always been part of life in most medical settings. But the challenge has intensified due to

💉 EHR systems that promise constant accessibility

💉 Increasing patient complexity

💉 Expanding administrative burdens

💉 Widespread staff reductions

💉 Growing supervisory responsibilities for non-physician staff

Except for the small but growing number of forward-thinking healthcare systems, the current environment is a near-perfect recipe for attention residue.

With every interruption, you are forced to take a mental reset, which costs time, effort, and focus. Ultimately the outcome is not only decreased productivity but also greater stress and higher rates of burnout.

This isn’t just theoretical. Studies show that interruptions from a broad range of sources may happen more than every 6 minutes in busy medical environments like the Emergency Department. It’s no surprise that these repeated interruptions can seriously degrade your ability to remain focused and aware.

How to Reclaim Your Mental Focus

Ideally, healthcare leaders will recognize the need for systems and workflows that reduce unnecessary interruptions. Some organizations are already making meaningful progress in this area. But even under the best of circumstances, interruptions are going to happen. Here are a few ways that you can limit the mental drain.

Prioritize and Plan

This can be a difficult step for physicians, since we don’t always have control over the way the day might go. But simply outlining your top priorities can help by giving you a focus and a “north star” for the day.

Start by outlining your top priorities. Whenever possible, focus on these high-impact tasks when your mental energy is at its peak. For many people, that is the first thing in the morning.

Use tools like the Eisenhower Matrix (also known as the Time-Priority Matrix) to strategize your urgent and important tasks, and mitigate those less important time-wasters.

Time Blocking

Consider setting aside specific time blocks for different types of tasks. For example, set aside uninterrupted time to study for your boards, or for administrative work. If you have some control over your schedule at work, scheduling similar patient visits can be helpful, so that your mental flow is less likely to be interrupted.

Communicate your schedule and your plan to create these focused blocks of time to your team (or your family) to minimize unnecessary interruptions. Getting buy-in from your schedulers and administrative staff can help to make time blocking work for you.

Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness is more than a catch-phrase. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can sharpen your ability to focus and help regulate stress. These are tools that can help you to strengthen your cognitive resilience in the face of a demanding clinical environment.

Meditation in particular has been found to be helpful in improving attention, focus, and memory and reducing stress. Just like medication or physical therapy, consistency matters. In one study, it took 8 weeks of regular practice before the impact of meditation was clear.

Taking a mindful pause before and after each patient, study, or procedure is a great way to mentally reset. In many cases, even this very  brief break can improve your efficiency and help you to regain a sense of control.

Limit Multitasking

Multitasking was once considered a badge of honor, and something to aspire to. But now we know that when people multitask, they often make more mistakes.

Research shows that multitasking also leads to longer completion times and greater mental fatigue. This is especially true when both (or more) tasks require cognitive effort rather than simple rote actions. In reality, tackling one task at a time is usually faster and far more effective.

So what’s the alternative? When you're faced with a task that’s too large to complete in a single sitting, try breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps. Each sub-task becomes its own achievable goal, which can help reduce overwhelm and maintain your momentum. Writing these steps out and checking them off as you go can boost motivation and give you a sense of progress, even during busy or fragmented days.

As you knock out these smaller to-dos, you’ll build a sense of accomplishment. That feeling of progress can help quiet the mental clutter and reduce the attention residue that builds up when unfinished work lingers in the background.

Set Boundaries

Not only are they annoying, but interruptions increase the likelihood of errors, directly impacting patient safety. What’s more, these unwanted intrusions also impact your own mental well-being and your relationships by triggering heightened levels of anxiety and annoyance. That’s why setting boundaries is a crucial skill.

Whenever possible, set clear boundaries around your availability with colleagues, staff, and patients. Visual cues such as a closed door or a sign that reads “Do Not Disturb Unless Urgent” can signal your need for focused time without seeming unapproachable. And if you’re in the operating room or in a procedure, be sure that the parameters for interruptions are very clear.

When you're engaged in cognitively demanding work like surgery or a procedure, reviewing charts, developing treatment plans, or reading studies, it’s a good idea to minimize social or nonessential conversation. Let your colleagues know when you're in a focused work mode so they understand that any delay in response is intentional, not personal. Over time, this kind of clear communication builds mutual respect and helps foster a team culture that supports protected time for high-concentration tasks.

It can also be helpful to set expectations with patients and staff that non-urgent in-box messages will only be addressed during or after certain hours of the day.

Reclaiming Your Focus

Maintaining mental focus requires practical, intentional strategies and consistent follow-through. By experimenting with the time-tested approaches I’ve offered above, you’ll strengthen your ability to concentrate, reduce attention residue, and better manage the inevitable interruptions in your day.

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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.

If you’d like to learn more about my coaching practice, you can schedule a complimentary introductory meeting by clicking the link below.

My TechLink Health Podcast Interview with Oscar-Winning Inventor Garrett Brown

It was such a privilege to interview Oscar winner and innovator Garrett Brown for the TechLink Health podcast! Garrett is best known as the inventor of the Steadicam, which transformed film production, and the SkyCam, which forever changed how we experience live sports. He is also the co-founder of Exokinetics, an innovative technology company dedicated to restoring mobility and independence for people whose options are often limited to walkers or wheelchairs.

Exokinetics’ flagship product, the Zeen enables upright mobility and provides assistance with transitions such as sitting to standing. Beyond making movement easier, the Zeen allows for face-to-face social interaction—something walkers and wheelchairs often limit, yet which can be profoundly life-changing. It truly has to be seen to be appreciated, and I encourage you to explore the Exokinetics website to see it in action.

This conversation was especially compelling for me because Garrett is a true Renaissance man. In addition to his groundbreaking technical achievements, he even enjoyed a successful music career in the 1960s. As an inventor, he approaches problems with curiosity, treating them as puzzles to be solved. He begins by envisioning the solution, then works backward step by step, asking what must happen to reach that endpoint. He also deeply values the importance of building a highly skilled, motivated team. These are concepts that all of us can take to heart, whether you are a busy clinician, a budding inventor, or a medical entrepreneur.

Garrett’s work with Exokinetics was inspired by watching his own parents struggle with mobility as they aged. Despite having no medical background, he took on this challenge with optimism, determination, and creativity—qualities that continue to define him. Now in his 80s, Garrett remains engaged, forward-thinking, and deeply committed to improving lives through innovation.

You can find our conversation anywhere you listen to podcasts, or through the Spotify link below.

My Podcast Interview with Garrett Brown of Exokinetics

Maximize Efficiency and Achieve Work-Life Balance: The Time Priority Matrix for Physicians

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in July, 2024

Do you ever finish the day feeling as if the time raced by, but instead of making meaningful progress on your goals, you’ve just been putting out fires?

If you’re feeling a constant surge of urgent issues layered on top of your daily responsibilities and opportunities, it can be hard to step back and decide what truly deserves your attention.

The Time Priority Matrix can help you to visualize not only where your time is going but how you are spending it. By sorting your daily activities into clear categories, you will discover how your attention is being directed, and where opportunities may exist to streamline, refocus, and make better use of this valuable and limited resource.

This framework is also known as the Eisenhower Matrix. Former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower didn’t create the idea, but he famously referenced Dr. Roscoe Miller, a former president of Northwestern University, when he said:

"I have two kinds of problems: the urgent and the important. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent.”

The matrix was later popularized by Stephen Covey in his landmark book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  It’s often taught to business leaders, but the concepts can easily be applied to physicians and anyone else seeking to take back some control of time and attention.

How to Use the Time Priority Matrix

Quadrant I

Quadrant I tasks are both urgent and important. Ideally these are limited, but as a physician, these tasks are part of daily life.

The critically ill patient, the urgent report, the call from a worried family member. Many of these urgent and important demands are unavoidable and outside of your control. But sometimes there is a way to mitigate the urgency, and that's where Quadrant II comes into play.

Quadrant II

Quadrant II includes preparation, planning, and prevention. This is the quadrant of anticipation, which means troubleshooting before problems arise. It’s the foundation of preventive care.

You can also apply this idea to your own life. For example, if you're studying for your boards, setting aside a consistent amount of time each day over several months will take you much further than cramming in the final weeks before the exam. Similarly, when you’re learning a new skill or technique, consistently making time to practice it builds confidence and readiness.

Building trusting relationships with patients and colleagues also falls into Quadrant II. By investing time and effort early, you foster trust and collaboration. These qualities are difficult to build without preparation. Ultimately, that groundwork allows your care to be delivered more efficiently and effectively.

Work in this quadrant might not always be exciting or immediately fulfilling, but it will keep you on track to accomplish the goals that are meaningful to you.

You can apply Quadrant II ideas to your personal life as well. Consider your relationships, family, and other interests. What can you do to ensure that the things that matter to you outside of work are cared for and able to flourish?

Quadrant III

Quadrant III is more problematic. These tasks feel urgent, but they are not particularly important.

Physicians are often deeply familiar with this quadrant: interruptions, EHR redundancies, pre-authorization inefficiencies, certain meetings, and much of email communication. These demands can fragment attention and drain energy.

One helpful strategy here is working in focused “chunks,” a technique called task batching. By grouping similar tasks together, you’ll reduce context switching and improve efficiency. Setting and sticking to clear boundaries, like addressing non-urgent issues only at designated times, can also limit interruptions.

Delegation is another key Quadrant III strategy. Can routine paperwork be handled by someone else, leaving only physician-specific sections for you? Can your staff be empowered to manage simple patient requests or schedule visits without your input when an in-box message clearly requires more than a brief response, but doesn’t need emergency care? Reasonable delegation can easily save you an hour or more every day.

Quadrant IV

Quadrant IV is where you’re most likely to reclaim meaningful time and mental space. Mindless scrolling, low-value emails, watching random TV shows, and stressing over social media are good examples of this quadrant's activities.

Sometimes you need a little downtime, but being intentional with how you are spending it may help you to gain some well-earned margin for the things that matter most to you.

Reclaiming Your Time

Reflecting on how you’re using your time is a powerful exercise. The Time Priority Matrix gives you a practical framework for understanding and managing both your professional workload and your personal life more effectively. By mindfully prioritizing your tasks based on urgency and importance, you’ll enhance your productivity, improve your patient care, and create a healthier, more sustainable, and more fulfilling work-life balance.

DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the website, for which I am grateful! Please do your own research before making any important decisions.

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.

Creating Action Steps for Process Goals

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in June, 2024

In a previous article I explained the difference between outcome goals and process goals. Simply put, outcome goals are the big-picture results you want to achieve. Process goals, on the other hand, are the small,meaningful steps you take along the way. They are the actions and behaviors that are within your control, and they’re where real change happen

Most effective process goals follow the SMART framework. That means that they are

✅ Specific

✅ Measurable,

✅ Achievable

✅ Relevant

✅ Time-bound

Process goals translate intention into action. They take an abstract desire, like “I want something different,” and turn it into something you can engage with intentionally, one step at a time.

So how do you actually get started?

As the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu famously said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Think of each process goal as one of those steps. Small on its own, but when you place one after the other, you will go far.

Process Goals for Physicians

The template below is a simple and effective place to begin. Set a timer for 15, 30, or 60 minutes, and just start writing. Don’t worry about getting it perfect. By the time the timer goes off, you’ll have something concrete—and that’s far more useful than staying stuck in your head.

Getting Started with Process Goals

1. Get a Notebook:

An analog, hand-written journal tends to work best. It’s less likely to get lost in the noise of your digital life and instead becomes a physical place where your thinking can land.

 2. Define Your Outcome Goal:

Start with a clear sense of what you want to achieve, while staying open to the idea that this goal may evolve. Your outcome goal provides direction, but it doesn’t need to be fixed or final.

 3. Break It Down:

Identify the smallest and most specific actions that will move you closer to your goal. These should be concrete steps you can realistically incorporate into your daily or weekly routine.

 4. Make it SMART:

Refine your process goals so they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This keeps your goals grounded and helps you track progress without feeling overwhelmed or burdened.

 5. Monitor, Reflect, and Adjust:  

Review and update your notebook daily, or at least on a regular schedule. Check off completed process goals and reflect on what’s working. Adjust as needed, either to stay on course or to intentionally change direction.

6. Bonus Step:

Create outcome goals for different time horizons: weekly, monthly, one year, three years, and five years. Revisit these on a set day each week. These goals will often change, and that’s part of the process. Revisiting and revising will help you stay aligned with what matters most to you.

If this all seems a little theoretical, here’s an example of how this process might look.

Process Goals: A Practical Example

Outcome Goal: Find a New Job

Process Goals:

• Clarify your values.

• With those values in mind, identify 3–5 priorities that matter most in your ideal job.

• Write about the reasons those aspects of the job are most important.

• Now that you’ve defined you values and have clarity on what is most important to you, update your CV and LinkedIn profile to reflect your skills, experiences, interests, and values.

• Identify any new skills your desired role may require

• Create a plan to acquire those new skills.

  • Perhaps that’s attending a specialized training course, spending focused time with a mentor, or self-directed learning.

  • What are the specific steps you need to take to get this done?

• If you want or need to relocate for the new job, create a list of 3-5 places you’d like to live.

• Reach out to three colleagues who might offer insight, connections, or support.

• Research and attend relevant events in your specialty over the next 3-6 months to learn about opportunities and meet people who may be interested in working with you.

• Research potential medical practices or institutions that align with your values and professional goals.

  • Search for people who are decision makers within those organizations

  • Check LinkedIn for shared connections who could make an introduction.

  • Reach out to the connections you’ve identified with an email, message, or phone call, briefly filling them in on your situation and letting them know that you’re requesting an introduction.

  • If an introduction isn’t possible, draft a thoughtful email or message to the decision-maker in the group that you’ve identified.

• Prepare an authentic elevator pitch that reflects who you are and what you’re seeking.

• Anticipate interview questions and outline your responses.

• Practice for interviews with a friend or coach.

As you can see, each one of these is a manageable step. There’s no need to have everything figured out in advance.

Why Process Goals Matter

Focusing on process goals rather than outcome goals can be transformative.

When you take ownership of the actions within your control, you create momentum, reduce stress, and build a sustainable path forward. You move out of inertia and into engagement. And along the way, you may discover unexpected opportunities, insights, or directions you hadn’t anticipated.

DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the website, for which I am grateful! Please do your own research before making any important decisions.

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.