Creating Your Alternative Reality

Don’t Be The Number

The data on burnout among health care professionals is alarming and trending towards abysmal. Burnout, depression and dissatisfaction rising about the 60% mark for health care professionals must cause one to question the health status of those trusted to keep us healthy. 

Having worked in the trenches of emergency medicine and trauma since 2000, I’ve had my demons to contend with along the way. With luck, I met a group of physicians who had discovered a way to transform their careers into a form of balance, happiness, and satisfaction without the issues, so many other healers are forced to endure. The changing landscape of medicine has created untenable conditions for many of the new professionals entering the workforce. Shortages of nurses, ancillary staff and physicians continue to cripple smaller hospitals and organizations. My local family practice department has witnessed its ranks decimated in rapid order over the last six months leaving my children and spouse again on the search for a family doctor - if that concept or person even exists anymore in our local marketplace.

Shifting Perceptions

As Einstein noted, continuing to do the same thing and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. This continues to ring true as I often hear frustrated health care professionals lament about how difficult their situation and work conditions but refuse to take any action.

Reasons are varied but are more appropriately recognized as excuses. Perhaps the feelings of guilt or the perception of wasted years training and practicing are difficult at first to overcome, but is another 10, 20 or 30 years of unhappiness a rational choice?

I suspect that 99% of your unhappy colleagues have made no effort to improve their circumstances. They will be the first to offer criticism of any idea or plan you formulate to make a positive change in your life.

After all, misery loves company.

It's time to identify with a different group and leave the naysayers where they lie. Look ahead to your new life and awake each day with happiness instead of dread.

Achieving competence as a health care professional often necessitates decades of diligence and painful effort. That same drive and determination applied in a new direction can accomplish remarkable results.

Find your WHY, pick your target and get moving. Develop a concrete understanding of what’s at stake if no action is taken.

Runway vs. Launchpad

The result of either runway or launch pad is the same - altitude.

The process, however, is entirely different. Sitting on the launch pad waiting for lift-off is what I hear from my fellow dissatisfied physicians.

They are sitting on the launchpad waiting for something to happen.

We are all accustomed to the grumbles and moaning about how bad things are, how much pressure administration puts on us, how little control we have over our circumstances. Many hold out hope that something good will naturally come their way, pop up on the radar or the next great deal or investment will manifest spontaneously without any effort or exploration.

The results are within grasp but require planning and action.

Very few health care professionals stumble upon a unique offer or opportunity that affords the immediate remedy to their growing dissatisfaction, but most require a bit more planning and time to achieve. Incremental steps and building up speed will allow a smooth takeoff from the runway and the freedom to create the feature as desired. The power behind this equation draws upon the same dedication and determination it takes to become a health care professional.

Partners In Change

It doesn’t matter what aspect of healthcare you work in as I can guarantee someone you work with has a rising level of anxiety and angst. You’re not alone.

Don't go it alone.

I made this mistake several years ago when I started my journey and had little guidance on where to go, what to do or how to get there.

My Why is to share everything that I have learned on the way- successes and failures. I've had plenty of both.

The majority I confided in initially were friends. But I also discovered many were negative, pessimistic souls suffering without any initiative to make a change.

I was fortunate enough to meet a few passionate physicians who saw the proverbial writing on the wall years before I did and shared the HOW with me.

I already knew the WHY but was struggling to resuscitate my passion and find the rope to climb out of despair.

Those chance meetings reshaped my future. Finding another healthcare professional, mentor or coach makes all the difference in the world.

Get Help

Looking for a fresh perspective, want someone to guide you on this journey or just to bounce ideas off? Connect with me here on LinkedIn for simple strategies that can make it all possible.

Create your version of the future in 2018.

With gratitude,

Mitchel Schwindt, M.D., FAAEM

If you want help, I'd be happy to chat.

photo credit: BigStock