Avoiding Deathbed Regrets: Building a Purpose-Driven Healthcare Career
The Non-Clinical Collective
The NCC is a free-to-join community offering education, webinars, and a wide range of resources for all clinicians
I’ve been thinking about my own demise lately. Not in a scary or morbid way, but rather looking at life and how we prioritize time and people. Recently, there have been several losses in my life. Two people who were my age perished unexpectedly. Their deaths came as a shock leading to heartache, sorrow, and a fear of my own mortality. Two other people in my life recently passed after living a long and rich life, leaving behind a legacy that was generation-altering.?
One of the people who passed away was my grandmother. She fled East Germany in the 1950s and came to America pregnant with her first child. She was so pregnant that she was advised to run onto the US airforce base if she went into labor while the plane was refueling in Newfoundland, thus ensuring US citizenship for her son.
In the US, she built a life that was focused on community. I remember as a child going over to my grandparent’s house and all of the immigrant relatives would be sitting in lawn chairs in the backyard watching the grandkids play. Going to Sunday dinner at my grandparent’s house was always the highlight of the week as one never knew what cousins or other friends may show up to visit. At my grandmother’s funeral, people shared stories that were focused on her hospitality, kindness, and generosity. People did not talk about careers, income, or achievements. What defined my grandmother’s legacy was her interpersonal relationships and prioritization of community.?
I started thinking about the old trope that no one lays on their deathbed wishing they had worked more. I think this is true, but at the same time, work is an incredibly important way that we can build purpose, structure, and meaning in our daily lives. How do we find the balance? While we may not always get it right, my hope is that by frequently assessing my priorities and balance, I can live a life that will not lead to deathbed regrets.?
In today’s newsletter, I want to explore the concept that, on our deathbeds, we won't wish we had worked more. Instead, we'll reflect on the importance of finding meaning and purpose within our healthcare careers, while being mindful of our time commitments and sacrifices. Let's delve into this topic together.
Most Common Deathbed Regrets - Bronnie Ware
“I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”?
“I wish I hadn't worked so hard.”?
“I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.”?
“I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.”?
“I wish I had let myself be happier”
Healthcare Careers: A Path to Fulfillment
Healthcare professions offer a unique opportunity to achieve meaning and purpose in our work. Our careers revolve around helping others in their most vulnerable moments. We become the beacons of hope, compassion, and healing for those in need. This sense of purpose can infuse our lives with a deeper meaning beyond just a paycheck or the pursuit of another promotion.?
Balancing Time Commitments and Sacrifices
While healthcare careers can be enriching, it is vital to be mindful of the time commitments and sacrifices we make for our professions. Long hours, emotional stress, and personal sacrifices are often part of the job. Burnout among healthcare professionals has reached all-time highs. While healthcare careers often provide meaningful opportunities to help others, they may also expose us to caregiver burnout, cynicism, and depersonalization (all known contributors to healthcare career burnout). Striking a balance between work and personal life is crucial to avoid burnout and maintain overall well-being.
A Meaningful Career vs. A Meaningful Life
As we focus on building meaningful careers, it's essential to remember that a fulfilling professional life, while crucial, may not be the sole source of contentment on our deathbeds. In fact, our professional accomplishments will likely pale compared to our personal legacies such as kids, grandkids, and deep friendships. Alongside our careers, there are other aspects of life that bring value and importance. Cultivating meaningful connections with family and friends, pursuing hobbies and passions, and engaging in community service can contribute significantly to our well-being while also providing meaning and purpose to life that likely outlasts one’s career accolades.?
Living with Intention
Our careers do not solely define the journey of life. We can lead an intentional life by consciously seeking meaning and purpose in various areas. As healthcare professionals, our dedication to helping others can extend beyond the workplace, into our personal lives, and the communities we serve. Finding purpose in these different spheres can create a harmonious and enriched existence. One example would be to volunteer at a local clinic for the homeless or use your skills in healthcare to help immigrant and refugee families. Maybe your meaning and purpose come from something outside of healthcare altogether, such as gardening, joining a KISS cover band, or training for a marathon with a few friends.?
领英推荐
“If you are lucky enough to have health, and the people you love have good health, everything else is manageable.” Gary Vaynerchuk?
Choose Your Career Path Wisely
Being intentional in our career choices is of utmost importance. Rather than solely focusing on the next promotion or seeking external validation, take the time to evaluate whether your current career aligns with your values and passions. If you find that your current path lacks meaning and purpose, it may be worth exploring alternative avenues within the healthcare sector or beyond.
In Conclusion
As healthcare professionals, we have a unique opportunity to find profound meaning and purpose within our careers. However, let us remember that life's fulfillment is not solely dependent on our professional achievements. We will likely not be on our deathbeds counting up how much extra overtime we worked. Balancing our time commitments and sacrifices with meaningful experiences outside of work can lead to a more fulfilling and holistic life.
Remember, on our deathbeds, what truly matters are the relationships we've nurtured, the love we've shared, and the impact we've had on others' lives. So, let us be intentional in our career choices and embrace opportunities to find meaning and purpose both within our professions and throughout every facet of life.
Thank you for being a part of our healthcare community. We hope this newsletter has provided valuable insights and encourages you to reflect on your journey to finding meaning and purpose.
To read more about deathbed regrets and pursuing a life of meaning and purpose, check out these books:
This newsletter is made possible through the support of?ThriveAP, a transition-to-practice solution for NPs, PAs, and the facilities that employ them.?
If you like the newsletter, consider sharing it with friends and colleagues. Also, check out our?podcast?for engaging conversations on healthcare career development.