Living the Dream

North Shore, Kauai, HI - 2021

Critical Questions for You and Your Spouse to Consider

You have decided to begin to prepare for your End of Career and have probably asked yourselves a variety of questions. They may include how to begin to prepare and more specifically, what to do in what order.

I Know That…

Some of these questions are personal in nature, while others are directed to professional matters that vary according to your type of practice.

It is important to have clarity about these matters. This will not only provide the foundation of your lifestyle plan, but the answers are essential for preparing your practice properly.

In this article, I address some of those concerns that I know are personally important to you and your spouse.

Your Next Lifestyle: the Big Picture

• Do you want to stop practicing completely or have a gradual transition?
• What will you and your spouse do afterwards?
• How will those activities meet your needs to continue to fulfill your...

Coursing Undeterred 

Tributary, Madison River, MT - 2004

The Next Step

Part Five of a series…

The End of Career is not an event. It is a process that affects you personally and professionally. For that reason, it takes time to prepare for and experience it. This becomes increasingly clear as you progress from the conceptual to the practical application of your plans.

So far, this series of articles has provided you with a blueprint that describes a logical and actionable planning sequence. The first articles have discussed the planning process. That included the first step, the Post Career Lifestyle Plan  and then, the Post Career Financial Plan.

These plans address your personal needs and desires as you aspire to the next great phase of your life. The topics discussed are largely applicable to the personal and professional challenges that are common to physicians in various practice settings. 

Considerations and Conclusions

Upon completion of these two plans,...

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

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...

Flowing Through the Palette of Life

Yellowstone River and Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park - 2004

To Know How is the Key to Decide Where

There are many questions related to the End of Career Transition that most of us and probably you as well, will need to answer.

Beyond matters related to your practice or business, there are core questions that will determine the nature and quality of your life. They are very personal and are essential for you to answer.

One of those, is Where to live. Most individuals initially and instinctively seek to answer that particular question. It is at the core of the visions they create as they fashion their post career lifestyle.

That is quite natural. However, by focusing narrowly on the Where, you are unlikely to answer it in a way that will optimally fulfill your vision and aspiration.

There is yet another question that is best to explore and answer first.  By doing so, you will more clearly be able to describe not only...

This painting by John Trumbull (1756-1843), depicts the moment when the first draft of the Declaration of Independence was presented to the Second Continental Congress on June 28, 1776.

 The Seldom Declared History of its Writing

The summer of 1776 was a time of escalating conflict with England.  It was a dangerous time for the American colonies and in particular, its leaders.  Military and political uncertainties abounded.

The conflict between the American colonists and British soldiers that began in April, 1775 had grown into the Revolutionary War during the summer of 1776.

In the meantime, there had developed a significant movement in favor of Independence from England.  Delegates to the Continental Congress were faced with the necessity to vote on this critical issue.

In order to do so, the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia for the purpose of voting on the question of independence. To accomplish that, there was a parliamentary and...

The Moment - In Rhythm With River and Rainbow Trout

Madison River, Montana - 2007 

Summary:

• It is commonly familiar that it is in those quiet moments when our mind is free to wander, that we are the most creative. This simple discipline can be beneficial as you plan your End of Career. 
• It is then that you will have a window of opportunity prior to embarking on the next great phase of your life. This is the time for you to create plenty of time and space to comfortably design your roadmap. The map that will take you in the direction that you want your life to go…with confidence.
• When the time comes, you will initially find that the time you have at your disposal is seemingly unlimited compared to your previous lifestyle. That can be a fallacy. Like other vacuums, there's a natural tendency for it to be filled. 
• Will you create the a la cart menu of your life? Or will life present you with items that are not so palatable to you?
• To help answer that for...

Flowing Naturally

Madison River, Montana - 2004

Summary: 

• This is the familiar story of Alex, a fictional character like many accomplished individuals from all walks of life. Alex is at that time of his (or her) career when he can see his end of career on the horizon.
• He has had a successful career. The discipline of creating visions, actionable plans executing them is familiar to him. He has done it repeatedly during his career. But a powerful insight in a moment of clarity revealed to him the source of his angst. It is that he is about to enter an unknown phase of his life…that this is all new and he is not prepared. So how do you go about creating your Post Career Lifestyle Plan _TM?
• First, it will serve you well too pause and reflect. Clearly describe your character and your life’s purpose. State the endeavors, activities that fulfilled your purpose. Think about the things that are fun and you enjoy doing. Then consider that a fulfilling lifestyle...

South Fork, Madison River, Montana - 2004

The Reciprocity of Service and Satisfaction

Summary:

• Our expressions of heartfelt gratitude creates joy for those who have given of themselves for our benefit. It also provides satisfaction to ourselves.
• As we plan our End of Career Transition _TM , there is yet another great opportunity to experience personal fulfillment from actively expressing gratitude in the service of others.
• It is common for individuals to seek an answer to the question: "What am I going to do after I “retire.” 
• A common approach is to think primarily about those long deferred activities that fulfill their desire to have fun. But by focusing narrowly on them the result is often feeling a lack of fulfillment. There is a reason for it
• There is often insufficient attention given to fulfilling their purpose in life. This is a need, a necessity that is deeply ingrained within us. 
• Your career has ended, but it does that mean that your purpose in life...