Sunset Begets Sunrise

   Smoky Mountains N. P. - 2009

Pondering, Planning and Preparedness

Part one of a series…

A common life experience is the feeling of uncertainty that arises from an inevitable, yet unfamiliar change. The kind that looms large in your horizon and accompanied by significant challenges. 

There are some challenges that minimize your feeling of uncertainty by virtue of education, training and devoted effort to a particular achievement. Most often, your education and training occurs relatively early in life, prior to launching your career. Then there are some events for which it is usually very difficult to prepare far, far in advance.

(With the recognition that there are a variety of practice settings, the model described here is that of a solo practitioner, as there are many elements of that which apply to other types of practices.)

Timely Training

A prominent example is the end of your career. My experience as a consultant...

Radiant Jubilation - 2022

My best wishes to you and your family. May you have abundant health and happiness in 2022...and beyond!

Sparkling Joy, 2021

My best wishes to you and your family for a healthy and joyful holyday season!

Enrique

Path and Pinnacles 

The Teton Range

Grand Teton National Park, WY - 2021

Considerations for the Solo Practitioner or Physician Otherwise Employed

When the time comes that you begin to seriously consider ending your medical career, you will find yourself thinking about a variety of personal and professional concerns as well as matters related to the business of your practice.

The myriad of concerns that you will have to address will vary significantly according to your type of practice. Nevertheless, across the spectrum of practice types, there are some common matters, duties, and tasks that must be accomplished. 

It is my personal experience and from consulting/coaching, that you will need more than just knowledge about the unknown you are about to embark upon. You will need and greatly benefit from applying a method for planning and executing a successful End of Career Transition.

Insights Into the Model

In this article, I discuss a triad of plans that comprise my...

Abundantly Grateful

USA - 2006

Gratitude, the Source of Thankfulness

I am confident that each of us has reasons to be grateful. 

Most importantly, I know that many of our blessings are divinely ordained. Each of us, in our own way, can express that very special form of gratitude. 

Beyond the miracle of life itself, there are persons that each of us can think of that warm our hearts and cause us to smile. We have been graced by their benevolence. We think kindly of them. 

Sometimes, we are able to thank them personally and express our heartfelt gratitude. To do so brings joy to those who have given of themselves for our benefit, as well as satisfaction to ourselves.

We know them as family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Then there are those we do not know, but they know who we are. Sometimes they manifest their goodwill toward us even as we are unaware.

Each has their unique version of goodwill that benefits each of us…and vice versa.

Grace and Goodwill

Flowing with Direction and Purpose

South Fork, Madison River, MT - 2004

Living Purposefully with Tranquility and Equanimity Can Improve the Quality of Your Life

To contemplate the passage of time and how each of us perceives it is a subject of wonder since the beginning of…well, time.

Early humans pondered the coming and going of the sun and moon while keeping warm by a campfire near their cave. In the twenty-first century we ponder and wonder about the same rhythms of life as we mark time on a digital clock.

The rotation of the earth on its axis that creates day and night is the same now as it was in antiquity.

The rotational march of the earth around the sun that creates the seasons and marks the years, is the same now as it was then.

So it is that the march of time was and is the same for all of us. 

But there are three things that differentiates you and I as individuals:

• How you choose to use the precious time of your life.
• How those choices reflect how you value...

Clear Path in Plain Sight

Carson Canyon, Sierra Nevada - 2013

When to Create Your Strategy and How to Execute the Tactics

Your future End of Career is an event about which it is natural to experience feelings of excitement as well as some concerns.

As the time comes closer, the concerns may become more prevalent. A major reason is the recognition that this is an event for which you did not learn about during college, professional school or even training beyond that. For most, it is something you begin to learn about when you think you need to.

But how do you know when the right time is early enough or perhaps too late?

As you try to answer that question, it becomes apparent that indeed, it is very difficult to determine when to begin to prepare when there is so much that is unfamiliar. It is virtually impossible to make an informed decision to begin to tackle those questions and challenges when the necessary scope and duration of preparation is unknown.

The reality is that because...

Transient Colors, Indelible Memory 

Sierra Nevada - 2018

Sometimes the Obstacles Are Not Financial

There are several, major matters that are important to consider as you contemplate your End of Career Transition _{TM  .}

For many, a primary concern is whether or not they are financially ready.

Whether you are or not, there are other major matters that are important to think about and deal with. 

There is More to Prepare for Than Financial Planning 

There are often certain obstacles to ending your career voluntarily that have virtually nothing to do with financial matters. 

Three common concerns often seem to take a backseat to financial matters.  They are critically important and should not be ignored. I have previously written about two of these. I pose two of them in the form of a question I am often asked:

• What will happen to my identity?
• Will I be relevant anymore?

One article is written to suggest a way to develop clarity about your identity as it...

Tranquil Transitions

Makua Bay, Kauai, HI - 2021

Choose Your Language, Change Your Perspective

The end of your career is one of the most significant events of your life. It is a time when you may feel joy, pride, excitement, grief, regret, uncertainty, and other feelings that are unique to each individual.

You may be looking forward to this new phase of your life with stressful uncertainty or joyful  anticipation.  As it is for others, it is also a time when you may experience a sense of loss of what you are leaving behind. 

An optimistic view is that this is a moment of your life that presents you with the opportunity for ongoing personal achievement that is manifested as renewal and fulfillment.

My Life and Lessons

I have experienced some of those feelings and many more. 

My life experience includes three lessons and observations.

One, is my own end of career Transition. It was difficult and painful. But it provided me the challenge to grow, evolve and...

Aspen Splendor 

Bridger - Teton National Forest, Wyoming - 2013

Your Advisors Are an Important Element of Your Personal and Professional Success

When people think about their personal and professional success, it is natural to think that it is largely the result of their own effort. Upon further reflection, they usually recognize how they benefited from those that cared about their well-being, advised and mentored them.

Personal guides that probably influenced your life are personified by parents, family, friends, teachers, consultants, coaches, professors and mentors. Sometimes you may learn pearls of wisdom from those you barely know. There are times when your other best friend, a book, illuminates your life.

My Giants and Gratitude

I have benefitted immensely from all of the above, initially during my lengthy, formal education. I recognized early on the enormous value they bestowed upon me and I thanked them accordingly. As time progressed, I felt gratitude even more deeply...