When my medical career was in its infancy, providing for my family after divorce meant moonlighting in addition to working full-time hours.  Although it was my decision, I was torn between my children and my work. Time in the hospital meant missing out on watching them grow, change, and develop their own little personalities.

Although it was 21 years ago, I still remember it like it was yesterday, where I was when I received the call that my son rolled over for the first time.  I was in the ambulance bay of another hospital, picking up a baby being transferred for surgery at the hospital where I was working.

I knew there would be many opportunities to see him roll over and do other baby things, but I missed that first time.

Missing out and sacrificing became part of the story I told myself about being a physician.  It was a story that plagued the early years of my career and my life and robbed me of my joy.  It was the filter through which I processed and judged each decision I made.  Life became a series of  “either/or.”

Life coaching changed that for me. During certification training, I learned that I get to integrate what I want into the choices I make personally and professionally.  It shifted my mindset. I learned to make decisions for the highest good for my family, my career, and myself.

I was at choice.  I could choose to hold on to the belief that I was missing out on life and blame it on medicine. Or, I could lean into my career in a manner that benefitted me and allowed for joy in the process.

With this new perspective came new decisions. The family became one of the pillars of success. Moonlighting wasn’t taking away from my family; it was contributing to our success. Living and working at my dream of being a physician set the stage for my children to dream big and take steps to make their dreams a reality.

With the shift came the understanding that as a physician:

1. I honor my core values.
2. I create a legacy for my children based on the importance of being of service and adding value to our family, the community, and the world.
3. I live into my dream even when the choices I make in the short term might look like sacrifices, but I have a greater return on investment in the long term.

My children are embarking on their own lives now.  While their paths are not taking them into medicine, I see how medicine has influenced their lives.  They are committed to investing in themselves to reach their desired outcomes.  They understand the value of dreaming big as they create a life and career they may not have envisioned before.  They help others. They enjoy the process through the long hours of study and hard work.  From that perspective, it was worth it all.

Stephanie Wellington is a physician, certified professional coach, and founder of Nurturing MDs, dedicated to guiding physicians from stress and overwhelm to ease and flow in the demanding medical field. She empowers clinicians to infuse new energy into their careers and reconnect with their identities beyond the stethoscope. She can also be reached on Facebook and LinkedIn.

She is a speaker, author, and recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award. If stress and overwhelm are part of your practice, get started with the free guide: “15 Ways to Infuse New Energy.”

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