The Doctors Coach

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Why is self-care so important for doctors?

When you care for yourself you will inevitably be in a better state to care for others more effectively.

It is a common mistake that people in the caring professions for example doctors, forget how important it is to look after themselves. They may well be perfectionists and believe also that they must always put the care of others in front of caring for themselves. This frequently Continue reading Why is self-care so important for doctors?

Doctors, even more tips to manage your time

Doctors you can manage your time even more if you follow these tips: 1. Be clear about what has to be done each day. Until you know your schedule for the day, which clinics, ward rounds, visits, and which patients have to be seen Continue reading Doctors, even more tips to manage your time

Guide to becoming an even more exhausted doctor

Would you like to be an even more exhausted doctor than you are already? Here are some hints and well tried tips so you can become so tired that you eventually have to stop because you will be unable to find enough energy to continue. When Continue reading Guide to becoming an even more exhausted doctor

How to never have any time for anything except medical work

Some doctors work so hard and such long hours that it is as if they want to avoid becoming involved in anything else apart from their medical work. Maybe you do manage to go out with friends occasionally or spend time with your family. Perhaps you even get to go Continue reading How to never have any time for anything except medical work

Creativity is good for doctors

Does medicine inhibit your creativity? Is the profession of Medicine so structured that it’s difficult to remain creative? Do you wish you were able to do more such as make things, paint pictures, sculpt or compose music? Have you thought about these things for some Continue reading Creativity is good for doctors

Doctor, take time for yourself….

Are you an overworked doctor who has put aside many of the joys of life because you have been striving for years to reach the pinnacle of the medical profession wherever or whatever you perceive that to be?

You have had years of studying Medicine, designing and carrying out and then writing up medical research projects so that your name can be listed amongst the good and the great doctors, yet something seems to be missing from your life.

You have gradually come to the realisation that there is more to life than Medicine and yet may be feeling guilty about even having that thought.

What is it about the culture of Medicine which means that many doctors, believe that everything else in life must take second place to progression in your speciality? Yet there is a dilemma here: senior doctors who have lived this sort of life and don’t want to admit any regrets maintain that in order to be the best medical specialist you need to devote the majority of your time to working as a doctor and learning in and about your chosen medical speciality. Continue reading Doctor, take time for yourself….

Misconceptions some doctors have about coaching

Many doctors don’t really understand what Coaching is, what it can enable them to achieve and how quickly it can make a difference. There is also the belief in medical culture that you have to deal with challenges yourself and working with a coach might be regarded Continue reading Misconceptions some doctors have about coaching

Why doctors need more balance in their lives

Years ago when doctors worked for more than a hundred hours a week they expected to sleep eat and breathe Medicine. They had little expectation of any life beyond the wards, the operating theatre and the clinics. Those who couldn’t deal with this way of life were considered to be rather weak and probably not suited to the medical profession. On the other hand those who appeared to cope with the long hours and the lack of sleep were branded as good and dedicated doctors, somewhat admired and considered to be role models.

At that time there were very few female doctors. Those that survived the arduous training either gave up the idea of family life unless they employed full time nanny and housekeeper to deal with whatever was going on at home during the long hours they were at work.

Nowadays things have changed: doctors work shorter hours, there are more female doctors, both men and women would like to be involved in the lives of their children and families and also have time for outside interests such as sport or music.

But this isn’t yet commonplace. There is still the tendency for doctors to work long hours, put medical demands before those of their own needs for rest and relaxation and above those of their family and friends for some social time.

Here are the reasons why it is vitally important to improve your work life balance so that you don’t spend so much of your time and energy involved in work and very little if any, doing things for yourself, and spending time with partner, family and friends too.

1. There is more to life than Medicine

When you are so busy it’s easy to believe that nothing else matters.

2. Your health and well-being will suffer if you only do Medicine and very little else.

Everyone including you needs some time for your persona batteries to re-charge. If you don’t then you become more at risk of stress related illnesses. Continue reading Why doctors need more balance in their lives

What does success mean for you, doctor?

Have you ever stopped for a moment and thought about how you identify ‘success’?

You may wonder whether to consider ‘success as a doctor,’ ‘success as expected by your family and friends’ or ‘success encompassing your life as a whole’ as defined by you.

You may be living your life to attain one of these meanings of success while really wishing to move to one of the others, or may find that you fluctuate from one to another depending on who you talk to and how you feel at the time.

If you have been focused entirely on your medical work to the detriment of other aspects of your life then perhaps it’s time to become more aware that success can include all aspects of your life, not only Medicine.

Many doctors strive to get to the top of their speciality and yet have an un-fulfilling personal life. You may have been encouraged to neglect your personal interests and direct all of your energy and most of your time to achievement in your chosen speciality only to fond that eventually that might be all you have left in your life.

For many doctors finding a balance between work and the rest of life can be a dilemma and a constant challenge. Continue reading What does success mean for you, doctor?