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Joy in Family Medicine – Stories & Reflections

Lessons, lightbulb moments, and honest reflections from life inside and outside medicine - served with a side of perspective.

Tags: satisfaction

Showing 4 results:


When Difficult Gets Interesting
I was recently talking with a leader who had navigated a complex, high-stakes situation. We discussed the stress she had experienced. I asked if in the midst of it, she had also felt energized by the challenge. I saw a little twinkle in her eye as she said, “a little.” And so, no surprise, that g...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Oct 30, 2026 adaptability adrenaline appraisal awareness capacity challenge challenge response cognitive flexbility cohesion collaboration complexity confidence coping cortisol crisis decision making dhea discomfort dopamine education emotional intelligence empowerment engagement fight or flight figureoutable flexbility fulfillment growth healthcare leadership leadership development learning medicine mentoring mindset motivation neuroscience perception performance physiology pressure prioritization problem-solving psychology recovery reflection reframing residency resilience resourcefulness satisfaction strategy stress stress management teaching teamwork thriving uncertainty
What Renovation Taught Me About Teams
My husband and I are back in the messy middle of building. We are not a strangers to it. We completely renovated a historic home over seven years and our Alaskan home over ten, with my husband acting as contractor, doing the work he enjoyed and subbing the rest out. And now, we’re building remote...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Mar 13, 2026 adaptation alignment behavior building change clarity co-creation collaboration communication conflict construction creativity decision making development dynamics expectations forming friction group growth homebuilding innovation leadership learning marriage mindset organization partnership patience performing problem solving process progress reflection remodel renovation resilience satisfaction storming structure teams teamwork transformation uncertainty vision
Story Reflection
This past week, I listened to a webinar featuring Dr. Paul Chelminski from UNC - Chapel Hill (and my former faculty advisor in the CHARM GME Wellbeing Course). He stated that much of our discontent in medicine comes from taking too much refuge in the idealized version of medicine. (My interpretat...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 08, 2025 acceptance advocacy agency aspiration boundaries compassion connection discontent gratitude grounding idealism inspiration mindset perspective presence purpose realignment reality reflefction satisfaction
1% Reflection
I invite you this week to consider what percent of your average work week includes joy. When you drill down - what are those experiences that offer soul-satisfying glimmers? If it's below 20% - there is some good news - slowly increasing up to 20% will be protective against burnout. If it's above...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 03, 2025 awareness balance burnout connection energy engagement fulfillment gratitude growth incremental inspiration joy mindfulness presence purpose reflection resilience satisfaction wellbeing workplace

Joy in Family Medicine – Stories & Reflections

Lessons, lightbulb moments, and honest reflections from life inside and outside medicine - served with a side of perspective.
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