For my new blog series, I am tackling how to enjoy the journey of medicine. Many greater philosophers, leaders, and authors than me have taken on the expansive subject. So, I find myself questioning my ambitious quest to assist readers in this manner, especially divorced from personal coaching. However, the one thing I have learned after over 3 years of weekly blogs is I need to write about what weighs on my mind.  

And currently, that is how to shift to finding pleasure...

I’m continuing to highlight the takeaways from the Careers in FM Blog Series over the past four months. Last week, I highlighted two major themes – Career Trajectory and Mentorship. Under the heading of finding/creating fulfillment and joy, we find the following themes throughout the 15 fulfilled family physicians’ foundations:

Connection with Patients. Most family physicians (and physicians in general) find a real richness in connecting with their patients. Here...

I’ve had the privilege recently of partnering with six family medicine residency programs for my CHARM Well-Being Leaders Certificate Course project. CHARM is the Collaborative for Healing and Renewal in Medicine, an international group of medical educators, academic medical center leaders, experts in burnout research and interventions, and trainees, all working to promote trainee well-being. It is hosted by Mount Sinai and led by recognizable names such as Dr. Saadia Akhtar, Dr....

How many of you have been waiting for joy to arrive? When do you think it will appear?

Many professions and individuals slip into the mentality that they will finally find their joy when they get through the current stage or stressor. It’s incredibly prevalent among physicians, given the nature of our delayed gratification in training. It’s common to think joy will arrive or be delivered after an accomplishment.

“I finished med school and matched into residency”...