5 Ways to Prioritise Your Needs and Create a Path to an Authentic Medical Career

In our journey through our medical careers, we often find ourselves torn between societal expectations and our true desires. This conflict can lead to feeling stuck, confused, unfulfilled, and frustrated.

This is precisely where I was 15 years ago…the career I dreamed of at the start of med school and in my graduation yearbook looked vastly different from the reality of life many years later.

I was in a clinical role where I gave more energy to other people and created a subconscious pattern of putting my needs at the bottom of the pile. I would do everything for others and have nothing left in the tank for me.

I knew I wanted to make a significant career transition, but I had zero energy to start thinking about my next step.

I had surrounded myself with an environment where my needs were not a priority…that I had stopped believing that they were important.

I craved more energy and time to get clarity on the next steps. To create my own career path…that felt authentic to me.

At times, I felt like I might have to wait forever…..and the daydream that maybe something would change and shift started to feel out of reach.

But I realized that life couldn’t go on that way….if I wanted to make the impact I dreamed of and leave a legacy in the world…I needed some energy to help me get there! And that wasn’t going to happen by sticking with the status quo.

As I took small steps towards transitioning out of full-time clinical medicine, exploring less than full-time roles alongside research positions…I started to see life and other people on the other side.

I started to see that my needs mattered and that it was important to acknowledge them and voice them too!

Only when I embarked on this process of self-discovery could I start expressing my needs and dreams, paving the way for the flexible career that I now love!

If you are feeling low on energy, it may seem out of reach…but here are five key points that can help you create a career…and a life filled with passion and purpose. One where you get out of bed in the morning excited to go to work and can be present in all the ways that matter to you.

1. Identifying Your Needs

Before embarking on any career transition, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of what you need. Making steps towards your goals is only possible by identifying your needs. What is your vision for life's bigger picture, and how you want to live it each day? What small things will allow you to meet your daily needs? Keeping these central at the forefront of our minds can keep us focused, not always at the expense of other people, but to ensure they are respected and maintained. Without this awareness, your actions can lack direction and purpose. Recognizing your needs, whether they're emotional, professional, or personal, lays the foundation for a path that aligns with your true self.

2. Embracing Your Uniqueness

Just like a square peg doesn't fit into a round hole, you don't have to conform to societal norms that don't resonate with you in medicine. Accepting that you're unique and that your needs and aspirations might differ from the norm is incredibly liberating. It grants you the freedom to pursue what truly fulfills you without the weight of conformity. The joy of medicine is the diversity; the joy of life is that we are all unique, and you can create our paths to happiness.

3. Sharing Your Passions

You're ready to share your passions with the world once you've acknowledged your needs and embraced your uniqueness. Contrary to our fears, people around us are often more supportive than anticipated. When you express your genuine interests and enthusiasm, you invite others to connect with you on a deeper level and inspire them to do the same. Finding that courage to share your passions can take time, but it will be worth it…believe me!

4. Voice Your Needs and Wants

There's something magical about voicing your needs and desires aloud. It transforms them from abstract thoughts into tangible goals…and makes them come alive! Articulating what you want brings a sense of accountability and realism to your aspirations, motivating you to take concrete steps toward making them a reality. When you start to voice your needs related to your career transition, it is a clear signal to yourself and others that you are committed to making a change…and you will get there!

5. Visualising Your Path

As you navigate your career transition journey, take time to visualize the path you want to tread. Envision your ideal scenario, the best version of yourself at work and at home. And immerse yourself in it mentally – how you want to do medicine and the doctor you want to be. This visualization serves as a source of motivation and aligns your mindset with your goals. Believing in your aspirations is an essential component of turning them into achievements.

When you can give yourself permission to lead an authentic life guided by your inner compass, the world is more open and supportive than you might think, ready to embrace the authentic you and your unique medical path.

If you are ready to create a flexible career to have more control of your time, better balance, and make a bigger impact, my coaching programs are specifically designed to help you succeed in your career transition.

Are you looking for more clarity for your next career step? Would you like a clearer idea of where you want to head to? Do you want to find your true purpose so you can live your best life?

I work with my coaching clients to help them get greater clarity so they can find and create flexible careers they love. If you want to find out more about my coaching programs, book a free discovery call https://calendly.com/resilienceyoga/60min