Your job. Your decisions.

HAPPY JUNETEENTH!

It has been 6 years since I graduated medical school. The entire time the end goal was become an independent practitioner, an attending, a full blown doctor!

I just knew once I got out of the mental terrorism that was medical school and the sweatshop (thinking of the labor law violations!) that was residency, I would have it all. I’d have freedom, and MONEY!! I wouldn’t take any crap from any of the mean nurses. Patients would respect me more. I would be done with the menial tasks, the excess paperwork. I’d be large and in charge! Captain of the ship!

Well..

We all know how that turns out.

It wasn’t until a year ago I realize everything is what I make it. My work environment is about what I tolerate, what I decide works for me.

You may be thinking “how do I control for long work hours, or therequired prior authorizations? Aren't those part of the job? Necessary evils”.

I’m here to say NO! (Last week we talked briefly about the power of ‘No’.)

I now work as a pediatrician, a 1099 employee, with working hours of my choice, making a great salary, vacationing when I want. I chart of course, but I do not do insurance forms, or prior auths. For 6 months, I only worked Monday- Thursday. Then I decided to edit my availability around several planned trips, and took on weekend hours, because that worked better. I am designing my work around the life I want.

It is entirely up to you where and how you work. You choose to commit (or not) to a workplace. You can state your boundaries and needs, and if those are not met, it is up to you to decide if you will accept or not. If you’re in a job that is unsatisfying, staying is a choice. You have the power to change the job. You are a well qualified professional with a powerful, non-transferrable skillset.

What keeps you in a job that doesn’t meet your needs is fear, and scarcity. You must decide if that will be where you stay. You may think, ‘this is unrealistic’, or ‘it could never work for me’, or ‘changing jobs is risky’. There will always be reasons why you can’t. I challenge you to take some time and think about what it would be to do your job theway you most desired.

What would your ultimate dream job be? What hours would you work? How much money would you make? What tasks would you delegate to someone else? All of it is possible.