During a recent move, I was unpacking boxes of books from my home office. Included were all the patient stickers from 25 years of surgeries carefully affixed into notebooks. No two books match and they vary in size and shape, sometimes representing different hospitals during the same time frame. Though computerized lists are more helpful in such tasks as board certification and credentialing, I maintained the habit of keeping the stickers. It now seems like a very tactile representation of that body of work.
A Fateful Encounter
Spending time outdoors is one of my most meaningful activities. Whether it is a short walk with my dogs or a full day exploring on foot, skis, or wheels – it connects me to nature and helps me recharge. On a recent ski outing I came face to face with a young bull moose on the trail. I froze and held still – he took a good look and then continued eating plants from the side of the trail. After several minutes without notice, I attempted to quietly back away from him. However, the firm trail and noisy ice made my actions noticeable enough that he began stomping and charged toward me, stopping only about three feet away. Watching him out of the corner of my eye, I imagined the headline “Woman stomped to death on trail” that might describe the outcome of this encounter.
Thankfully, it was not to be – I held still and counted to 500 several times. Eventually he lost interest, went back to eating, and then slowly moved up the trail. During this time, I noticed a much larger female calmly eating about 15 feet off the trail who watched the entire episode. Just as I was about to try moving back again, three teenage skiers came up behind me talking loudly and scared both moose away.
Surgical practice is tremendously fulfilling and rewarding. When should it end? For many of us that is an unexamined question. Do we identify solely as surgeons and fail to imagine life without our practice? Are we restless and tired of the baggage that comes with the practice or do we have dreams that we have abandoned in the pursuit of surgery?
One of my favorite authors, Susan Cain, asks that question – “are you doing something that you can imagine yourself doing when you are 94?” And “if you knew that you had limited time (and we all do) would you continue the activity that you are doing now?”
Contemplating Career Transitions
As I contemplate my career transition, I know that one more book of patient labels will not increase my satisfaction. Equally, I know that the exploration of alternate dreams speaks to my core values and mission. Facing a life scare often focuses us on our use of time – the gift from the moose is to embrace the transition, be curious, and dare.
Are you contemplating a transition of any kind – job, career, life? Coaching is a valuable way to navigate these questions and provides a supportive sounding board to examine your own needs and desires. Contact us at SurgeonMasters for more information and move toward living your best day every day.
Carla Smith, MD, PhD
I have utilized professional career coaching and been an active peer educator coach since 2016. I completed Physician Coach Training through SurgeonMasters and currently practice medicine as an orthopedic hospitalist. Balancing work with my passion for humanitarian service – both domestic and abroad – has been one of my most rewarding accomplishments. Creating time to enjoy the outdoors with my family is the greatest result
