Gallatin River – 2004

Montana

Path and Phases

The transition from your career is a process that is usually lengthy. When it is well-planned, it is typically executed in sequential phases that are comprised of tasks that build upon the previous ones.

The most challenging of these phases is usually the first. This is when you come to terms with the fact that your transition from practice is in your foreseeable future. It is natural for reactions to vary widely from joy of anticipation to apprehension and perhaps some stress. The experience is commonly a blend of both.

Regardless of how you perceive this phase of your life, you will probably experience a sense of loss that is accompanied by excitement about great anticipations. It is beneficial to think of this process as what it really is: a transition, rather than a “retirement.” The term transition emphasizes its purpose: to experience renewal and fulfillment, a form of positive transformation.

 Retirement...

Luminous Path – 2022

Grand Teton National Park, WY

A Path Amidst Obstacles

You may be at a time in your life that you find yourself having recurrent thoughts about your future transition from practice. They will probably range from specific ideas to some that are still vague. You may consider this for awhile and perhaps come to realize that a very long time has gone by without a clear idea of what to do, how or when. Yet, the challenge remains.

You are not alone in this experience. It’s common.

At some point, there will arise from within you a powerful desire to act, to move forward and do what needs to be done to prepare yourself and your practice. Hopefully, it’s not too late to achieve your desired optimal outcome.

What to Do When

Over time, you will be able to reach some conclusions, such as when you want to stop practicing, what do to do afterwards, what to do about your practice and much more. 

You’ll probably realize that the answers are often...

Delicate Splendor – 2022

Kauai, HI

 An Approach for Evaluating Your Readiness – Part 4 of 5

At some point in your career, you will begin to contemplate your transition from your plastic surgery career and begin planning. You may take action by getting an update regarding the status of your retirement plan from your investment advisor.  

After that, you and perhaps your spouse may schedule a meeting with your financial planner (let’s call him Charles). You go with the expectation of getting an opinion about your financial readiness.

Questions and Reflection

Charles asks you a few questions about your future plans and lifestyle. You describe your ideas so far and he suggests that you undertake more detailed planning together so he can advise you optimally on your financial readiness. He asks you to prepare a fairly clear description of how you envision your ideal future lifestyle. This includes a projection of associated costs. The meeting ends and you...

Natural Phases – 2004

Yosemite National Park, CA

 Your Career Transition Is a Stimulus for Personal Development and Fulfillment – Part 3 of 5

Change and transition are words that are often used interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings and what they describe have distinctly different purposes.

Lessons Learned in My Life’s Journey

My personal experience with change and transition illustrates this point. Years ago, I was diagnosed with colon cancer and then developed other medical problems. Together they created a change that ended my Plastic Surgery career and triggered my end of career transition. Thankfully, years later I am cured, renewed and fulfilled in my new career. 

The end of my career was precipitated by an unexpected change. The subsequent transition was not an event. Rather it was a process that involved sustained, focused and deliberate effort over a period of time.  That effort was directed at a particular...

Clear Path from Preparation – 2022

Harriman State Park & Henry’s Fork of Snake River

Idaho

 The Path to Preparedness – Part 2 of 5

The transition from your career is one of those major life events for which it is critical to prepare well in advance. 

Early on, you will recognize that the magnitude and scope of the challenge is significant. As a result, you will realize that to achieve a successful transition you will need to devote focused effort over a significant period  of time. These inevitable, initial questions will arise: 

• How do I begin? 
• What should I do? 
• In what order should I do it?

I am confident that you have learned long ago, as I have, that great achievements require great preparation.

The First Step of the Path 

To begin, there are three major concerns for which preparation is essential.

The first of these is to prepare yourself, personally, to enter the next great phase of your life. As you do so, it is...

Sunrise Splendor – 2022

Virginia Range,NV

Planning and Preparedness - Part 1 of 5

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 is accompanied by significant challenges. 

Some challenges minimize uncertainty by virtue of education, training and devoted effort to a particular achievement. 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, here I describe that of a solo practitioner, as there are many elements of that which apply to other types of practices.)

Timely Training

A relevant example is the end of your career. My experience as a consultant on this and related maters is that there are some physicians who begin to prepare in a timely manner. Then there are others that begin to plan much later than is desirable.

We all know that the end of our...

Steadfast in Anticipation of Spring – 2010

Grand Teton National Park, WY

The Right Decisions Foster Freedom

The time that you will transition from your practice is approaching. 

The vision of the new phase of your life is becoming more clear. 

You’re growing more confident that the dreams born of your imagination will become a reality. 

Your smile reflects joy of anticipation. 

You take a deep, deep breath that parallels the satisfaction you feel for what you’ve accomplished in life.

You feel deeply the conviction that you have earned the life that your aspire to live…and it really feels awesome! 

Well earned, well deserved!

A Time for You and New Feelings

This is your time for dreaming, planning, executing and experiencing the emerging reality of it all. Amidst the excitement, it’s also the time to apply the skills and wisdom you’ve developed over the course of your career to this very special time of your life.

You will...

Flowing - 2019

Truckee River

Sierra Nevada, CA

 Make Solid Progress on Your Path

Your career transition is one of the most significant events of your lifetime. It marks the beginning of the next phase of our life.

Very often, joy of anticipation is part of the experience but may be accompanied by some apprehension. Whether you are looking forward to it or not, the creation and execution of plans is essential to your success.

As you work to envision and create your new lifestyle, you’ll probably find that it’s well worth it.

Challenges and Opportunities

There are certain challenges that must be recognized and managed effectively through proactive, timely planning. This is a valuable process marked by discovery that minimizes the stress of the unknown and makes it a much more positive experience.

What are these challenges and related questions?

What Seem First Should Not Always Be

The first thing that most physicians naturally try to determine is their projected end...

Staying the Course – 2010

Bridger–Teton National Forest, WY

Crafting Your Future Beyond Plastic Surgery

Embarking on the journey of transition from your career as a plastic surgeon, is akin to sculpting a masterpiece. It requires pre-visualization, meticulous planning and effective execution. As plastic surgeons, our careers are marked by precision and transformation, and it's only fitting that we approach the transition from our professional lives with the same level of care and attention to detail.

The Surgeon's Blueprint for Transition

Your path to career transition is a significant life milestone, demanding thoughtful preparation well in advance. The complexity of this endeavor is not to be underestimated, and it calls for a dedicated, methodical approach. You may find yourself pondering:

• When do I initiate this process?
• Which steps are critical to my transition?
• In what sequence should these steps be undertaken?

From my own experience, I can assure you that the...

Renewal in Progress – 2010

Grand Teton National Park, WY

As a seasoned plastic surgeon, the prospect of transitioning away from a life's work can be a complex and multifaceted journey. It requires a meticulous blend of personal readiness, professional realignment, and practice preparation. In this article, we delve into the nuances of preparing for this significant life event, ensuring that you, as a an accomplished member of the plastic surgery profession, are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary for a smooth and rewarding transition.

Embracing Change: A Personal and Professional Renewal

The transition from a thriving surgical career to the next chapter of your life is not merely a change; it is a metamorphosis that requires introspection and strategic planning. The initial phase of this journey is deeply personal. It is the bedrock upon which you will design your framework as it relates to you professionally and your practice.

This transformative process is a...