Thread by @DrMStiegler

#NewYear2021 reflections - a 🧵

Had an unintentionally profound moment with an executive coach recently.

She said “maybe you should just stop thinking about what's next and enjoy that you’ve arrived."

What? I almost 😢. ♥️ stopped. But wait - there's important context...

I was telling her my life story, the professional twists and turns.

The part where my husband got cancer.

The part when I left academic clinical medicine- my love, and my identity.

Would I still "be" a doctor?

Would my accomplishments and work matter? Or be nothing...

I had, after all, pretty much achieved all the "important" things.

Invited speaker around the 🌏
Academic rank/promotion
Examiner for my specialty’s Board
Board of Directors for multiple orgs
Many national committees
Teaching residents/students
Successful separate businesses

What was left to “achieve"?

With plenty of statue and stuff under my belt, what next?

If you're reading this, you know there's a never-ending list.

Always more dues to pay.

Waiting for permission.

A specific path I should want to follow.

But I didn't.

I hadn't even hired this person. It wasn't a consultation. It was a free perk given to me by attending a conference that my employer paid for.

We only had a hour. Not a long term commitment.

So, she was asking "how can I help? What problems are you struggling with?"

And I was silent. Thinking.

Problems? Nothing in particular.

Needing help with...IDK.

I mean, I definitely don't have it all worked out.

Don't have all the answers.

But also not really struggling w anything specific.

She said “maybe you should just stop thinking about what's next and enjoy that you’ve arrived."

It doesn't mean there's no "next"

Instead maybe it means that what's next isn't a professional advancement, another rung on the later or millstone to achieve.

If there's one thing I know for sure, it's that many #WomenInMedicine out there (maybe guys too) are just like me

Can't stop thinking about what's the next level, so you can level up.

Always pursuing another line on the academic CV or

the next feather in the "what a real doctor's supposed to do" cap.

But in 2021, I resolve not to do more, but to do less.

I'm enough, just as I am.

You are too.

Our worth is not measured by a CV or social media posts or bank account or philanthropy.

It's ok to be still.

It's ok to enjoy.

It's ok to bask.

It's ok to be happy.

It's ok to be you, and to know you are enough.

You've always been enough.

Know that. Remember that. Be that in 2021.

If you need a reminder, I'm a DM away. 🎉🥂💕