Dr. Michelle Bailey

6/11/2023 0 Comments

Words of Wisdom For The Physician Career Path

I recently attended the college graduation for the eldest son of close friends from residency.

It’s a time of excitement and new beginnings. It’s also closing doors to a chapter in life. Change and uncertainty, whether viewed as positive or negative can bring a wide range of emotions.

I don’t remember my own college graduation commencement address, but the speaker who was an alum, offered a few key points that I thought were valuable enough to share with you.

Wherever you are in your journey, I think these are helpful reminders.

You are not your degree.

The path to becoming a physician is long and arduous. It’s not for the faint of heart.

Not everyone who sets out on the journey arrives at the final destination. In this case, receiving a medical degree.

It is easy to understand how the physician identity came to be so strong.

The hours, effort, and sacrifices made through our undergraduate and graduate medical education occur during our young adult years.

You earned your degree. No one can take that away from you.

And, you are not your degree.

You are the resilient individual who successfully met the requirements.

This is important to remember as you consider the directions in which you want to drive your career.

Expect there to be a grieving process when the time comes for you to hang up your stethoscope for the last time.

Whether it’s because of retirement (voluntary or involuntary) or an intentional decision to pursue opportunities outside of clinical medicine, make space to grieve the loss of this important identity.

You can explore different paths throughout your career.

From clinical practice, academia, public speaking, corporate, entrepreneur, and more, there are endless opportunities for physicians.

Most of us don’t learn about roles outside of clinician and researcher. This is the “traditional path” that’s neatly laid out.

But there are so many ways for you to make a meaningful impact. Clinical medicine and investigator-sponsored research are only two of them.

This is why an increasing number of physicians are seeking a non-traditional path. One that supports the life they want to live and makes an impact on the health of others without sacrificing their own well-being in the process.

Explore what’s out there. Reach out to physicians who are doing something interesting that you’ve never heard of before or don’t know much about.

Go live.

These two words are everything. Go live your life.

We get so caught up in the routine of day-to-day life that we fail to appreciate the many gifts the day brings.

Busy days turn into busy weeks…months…seasons…and before you know it the years have slipped by.

Give yourself permission to experience your life.

And did you know that you can intentionally design the life you want to live?

You can. I didn’t appreciate that for a long time. So, I’m sharing it often with as many people as I can.

Don’t take everything so seriously. Build community.

And consciously live your one wild and precious life. (Note: Life-threatening wake-up call not required.)

Do not forget your core values.

What got you here, will take you there.

Remember the reasons that you embarked on this path. If you still have your personal statement, reread it.

Better yet, write a new one informed by your experience and based on what matters most to you now.

This can serve as your personal and professional mission statement. Use it to guide your path as you make decisions that shape the direction of your career path.

So, there you have my takeaways from a motivational commencement speech filtered through the lens of a mid-career physician.

May there be something of value to you in the offering above.

My request is that if this sparked something useful for you, please share it with someone who may also benefit.

And, if you’d like to learn more about intentionally designing your own life and career path, let’s talk.

Send me a note at michelle@drmichellebailey.com, and I’ll share the link to my calendar so we can get something scheduled.

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6/4/2023 0 Comments

A Powerful Strategy For Career Satisfaction And Success

What's the fastest way to find your next career opportunity?

Networking!

Now hang on, and stay with me for a minute. I know that you may roll your eyes or shudder when you think about networking.

The experiences you've had with networking may have felt contrived or disingenuous. But in reality, in its simplest form, networking is a meaningful way to connect with another human being.

Networking is a valuable tool for finding career opportunities. Building and nurturing professional relationships can help you expand your knowledge, uncover hidden job opportunities, and gain insights into different career paths. By connecting with others in your industry or desired field, you can tap into their expertise, learn from their experiences, and potentially receive referrals or recommendations for new opportunities.

Here are a few reasons why networking is important for career growth:

Access to the hidden job market: Many job openings are never publicly advertised. They are filled through personal connections and referrals. By networking, you increase your chances of hearing about these hidden opportunities before they become widely known.
Building a professional support system: Networking allows you to connect with like-minded professionals who can offer guidance, support, and mentorship. They can provide advice, share industry insights, and help you navigate your career journey.
Expanding your knowledge and perspectives: Engaging in conversations with professionals from different backgrounds and industries exposes you to new ideas, trends, and perspectives. This can broaden your understanding of the job market and potentially lead to innovative career opportunities.
Enhancing your personal brand: When you network effectively, you have the opportunity to share your skills, experiences, and goals with others. This can help you build a positive professional reputation and increase your visibility among potential employers or collaborators.
Developing communication and interpersonal skills: Networking provides an opportunity to practice and refine your communication skills, including active listening, asking insightful questions, and articulating your professional goals and aspirations. These skills are valuable not only for networking but also for job interviews and everyday interactions in the workplace.

It's important to approach networking with a genuine interest in connecting with others and building meaningful relationships. Focus on establishing mutually beneficial connections, where you can offer value to others as well. Remember, networking is a long-term investment, and nurturing relationships over time can yield valuable career opportunities.

However, it's worth noting that networking should not be your sole strategy for finding career opportunities. It's important to complement networking efforts with other job search methods such as online job boards, professional organizations, recruiters, and career fairs to maximize your chances of success.

Overall, networking can be a powerful tool in your career development and job search process. By approaching it with authenticity and a willingness to connect with others, you can open doors to new opportunities and expand your professional horizons.

It’s been invaluable to me personally and as well as many of my physician clients that I’ve coached and worked with over the years.

Whether you’re considering a departure from clinical medicine and moving into a nonclinical role, or if you simply want to find other clinical opportunities and ways to leverage your medical degree, networking can be your secret weapon.

Let me know how you feel about networking . Share your positive experiences or the reasons why you're hesitant to go all in networking in the comments below. You are also invited to email me if you'd like some personal tips for your specific situation, michelle@drmichellebailey.com.

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5/28/2023 0 Comments

Unlocking The Secret Weapon To Your Career Success

What is your greatest asset in your career?

Take a moment to think about how you would answer this question…

…in a job interview.

…in a meeting with your advisor/mentor.

…in an annual review with your manager, chief, or leadership.

What about right now as you are reading this?

I am asking you the question directly.

What’s your answer?

For the first half of my career I would have responded by listing my proudest accomplishments.

Now approaching the third decade of my career my answer is very different.

So, I’ll share the personal insight that I have discovered over time that I believe is the key to lasting fulfillment and flourishing in your physician career.

YOU ARE YOUR GREATEST ASSET IN YOUR CAREER.

If you’re anything like I was early in my career, this thought probably makes you very uncomfortable.

I was dealing with imposter syndrome and would cringe inside every time someone shared positive feedback.

I thought that the value I brought to my work was dependent on how smart I was, how well I did on the board exams, etc.

It took quite some time to recognize that who I am and the way that I choose to show up across all areas of my life, including work, is the value that I contribute.

Turning around the belief that your worth is solely tethered to what you do rather than who you are can be a transformative process.

Here are some suggestions to help you get started:

Celebrate what makes you uniquely you: Take time to identify and appreciate your individual strengths, talents, and qualities. Recognize the aspects of your personality and character that set you apart from others. Embrace your uniqueness and understand that it adds value to your career and personal life.
Notice patterns in feedback: Pay attention to the feedback you receive from others, both personally and professionally. Look for recurring themes or patterns in the positive feedback you receive. For example, in my clinical career, I noticed how often people mentioned feeling calmer or safer in my presence. This included patients, colleagues, residents, students, and staff. When I transitioned to my nonclinical career, I started hearing the same feedback. It’s important to recognize and appreciate the qualities that contribute to your impact on others.
Avoid the comparison trap: Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” This quote comes up for me when I notice that I’m comparing my journey (parenting, career, relationship) to someone else’s. Comparing yourself to others can be detrimental to your self-worth. Instead of measuring your success or value based on external factors or the achievements of others, focus on your own progress and growth. Everyone has their own journey, and your path is unique to you.
Focus on internal validation: Seek validation from within rather than relying solely on external validation. Acknowledge your own accomplishments, growth, and efforts. Develop self-awareness and cultivate a sense of self-worth that is not solely dependent on external recognition or praise.
Keep a list of self-appreciation: Maintain a running list of the things you appreciate about yourself beyond your actions or achievements. This list should reflect the qualities, values, and characteristics that make up who you are as a person. Add to the list over time as you increase belief in your self-worth. Regularly review this list to remind yourself of your inherent worth.
Distinguish your harsh inner critic from your wise inner advisor: Learn to identify the voice of your inner critic, which often undermines your confidence and self-worth. Challenge negative self-talk and replace it with positive and supportive thoughts. Having a hard time turning it around? For every thought that beats you down, counter it with an opposing thought that could be equally true. So maybe it’s true that you can sometimes be disorganized and leave the house later than you’d like…and, there are situations where you are extremely organized and on time. Equal air time helps to lessen black and white, all or nothing thinking by encouraging you to see both sides of a situation for a more balanced perspective. Cultivate self-compassion and treat yourself with kindness and understanding.
Have your own back (no matter what): Practice self-advocacy and stand up for yourself. Develop a strong belief in your abilities and inherent value. Be your own ally and advocate for your needs, aspirations, and boundaries. This involves setting healthy boundaries, making choices that align with your values, and taking steps to pursue your goals and dreams.

Remember, your worth extends far beyond your job or any external measure of success. Embrace your unique qualities, celebrate who you are, and cultivate self-belief. By recognizing your greatest asset—yourself—you will be better equipped to sustain a fulfilling and successful career path over the long-term.

So, I’m curious how you answered this question and if you believe that you are your greatest asset in your career.

Share your answer with me via email at michelle@drmichellebailey.com. I will personally read and respond to every message received.

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Life Beyond Clinical Practice with Dr. Michelle Bailey
Welcome! If you're a physician considering a departure from clinical practice, you're in the right place.

Hi, I'm Dr. Michelle Bailey.
I help physicians who are unhappy or unsatisfied with their current career find a nonclinical career that they love.

Retiring early from clinical practice after almost 20 years as a board-certified pediatrician I successfully made the leap and transitioned to a nonclinical career.

I'm thriving in my new career and am on a mission to help other physicians do the same with the support, guidance, and community that I wish I had when I was struggling with this decision.

You're invited to connect with me in my private Facebook community for physicians to learn about all things related to your nonclinical career transition. Join here.

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Words of Wisdom For The Physician Career Path

A Powerful Strategy For Career Satisfaction And Success

Unlocking The Secret Weapon To Your Career Success

Life Beyond Clinical Practice with Dr. Michelle Bailey
Welcome! If you're a physician considering a departure from clinical practice, you're in the right place.

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YOUR CART

Words of Wisdom For The Physician Career Path

A Powerful Strategy For Career Satisfaction And Success

Unlocking The Secret Weapon To Your Career Success

Life Beyond Clinical Practice with Dr. Michelle BaileyWelcome! If you're a physician considering a departure from clinical practice, you're in the right place.

Archives

Categories

Life Beyond Clinical Practice with Dr. Michelle Bailey
Welcome! If you're a physician considering a departure from clinical practice, you're in the right place.