Being A Physician And A Life Coach

If you ask me five years ago, I would have never imagined that I would be working beyond being a physician. At that time, I was envisioning myself working the extra long hours I did not sign up for as a full-time physician until I retired. Feeling trapped and burdened to contribute financially in my household, refusing to relocate because of family and friends, I felt as if I was cornered to be a full-time physician.

Work became a mundane routine. I was lucky to get by another day. I survived, only to get myself enough energy to limp through another day.

You probably are wondering why I did not quit my job. I was close to – many times. The only thing that stopped me was that I did not see other viable options.

I was emotionally drained. Other than going through the motion of diagnosing and treating patients’ diseases, there was no capacity for me to engage more.

Everything changed when I was introduced to life coaching. Who knew that we have so much power within us? The thoughts we generate affect how we feel and how we act. That was a life-changing realization. What followed by managing my mind was gaining back more than two hours a day at work, without cutting down on the number of patients I see. I regained my sanity and my mental well-being.

It is amazing how shifting your mindset is so powerful. I achieved that seemingly impossible feat – going home on time with my work done as a full-time hematologist and oncologist. I believe that if I can do it, other people can do it too. With the climate of mass exodus of physicians from clinical medicine and the potential danger of serious shortage in physicians, I decided to coach other physicians. Physicians deserve to have a life. Physicians have the right to take care of themselves so that they can be more present for their patients and their families. If I can do my part to help other physicians before the medical system changes for the better, why not?

That belief sparked me to start my coaching company. Serving and helping others bring me joy. As a physician, I serve patients by treating their hematologic or oncologic conditions. I also serve them by offering my emotional support and forming a genuine connection with each of them. I believe that is the best way to help patients.

Life coaching is also helping people. I help physicians get out of survival mode, find their purpose and focus on what they want in life. Improving efficiency is a big challenge, and it is more than practicing the technical skills to achieve it. Imagining the ripple effect of physicians affecting their patients and other people around them.

Why am I doing both? As if one full-time job is not enough? The simple answer is I enjoy doing both at the same time. I am not working forty hours a week in my coaching endeavor. There is a right balance for me with the two hats I am wearing, in addition to the other hats I wear at home.

Doing both is part of who I am. It is my passion. It has become my mission. It has become a way to share with the world about what is possible. It is possible to do more and feel more energized. It is possible to help others the way you want to. It is possible to make a difference in the world with love and kindness.