Redefining Success

Here is this week‘s mind shift:

This week I’m redefining success and failure for myself. 

I am a pediatrician. It’s the kind of job/career that becomes infused with your identity. I’m never not a pediatrician.

If, at some point, any of us decide we no longer want to practice, it comes as a shock to others. Because for them, it is who you are. 

For most people, becoming a clinician has a very narrow description. You go through schooling and you practice that one craft until death or retirement (whichever comes first.) Why would you spend so much time, resources, and money to become a clinician if you don’t want to continue for life?

In other career paths, it’s common to set new career goals or change paths altogether. But why not for physicians, dentists, pharmacists, etc? 

But what if these were goals that you accomplished? You successfully completed professional school, survived residency if a physician, and practiced independently. None of which are small feats. You are successful.

In the end, it you who determines what defines success and failure. 

I recently read a quote that says ‘just because something comes to an end does not mean that it failed’. This applies to jobs, friendships and romantic relationships. 

And it is the way I have begun to think about my career. I had a goal. I wanted to become a doctor. I wanted to go through medical school. And I have completed that. Goal checked. Congratulations to me! And so now if I’m ready to move on to other things, other goals, I will not be sad about it. 

I give myself permission to do life on my own terms.