Ep 60: How to Succeed in Medicine with These 7 Habits
October 27, 2020

As high-achieving, goal-oriented physicians and nurses, it seems that we have reached this status by “winning” at some internal game we have created for ourselves. While we continue to pursue success, it must be clear that to succeed, we must have a specific plan to get you there.

Here at Medicine Revived, I want each of you to succeed personally and professionally. To achieve this goal, I create content that will help you become a better version of yourself. This, to me, is the ultimate goal-to become a better YOU. And only you can create that definition. For some, success means achieving the rank of Professor at your academic institution, while for others, it means to achieve financial success and be afforded the opportunity to retire early.

To succeed, though, requires a set of habits, a plan, and focus. So let’s get started…

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1. To Succeed, You Must Start with Your Why

This is job one. All too often, we get into our routines and don’t even realize that you did not intentionally set the routines. Instead, the ritual grew from “just going along with the process.” Well, if I can channel Dr. Phil for a second, “how is that working out for you.” It’s probably not. And that’s OK. I am grateful that you recognized that your current routine is not working and looking for change-now. 

I am here to help.

If you have been a reader of the Medicine Revived blog for some time, you know that I am an avid reader, and Simon Sinek is in my top five best minds on growth and mindset. His New York Times bestseller, Start with Why, needs to be on every doctor’s or nurse’s library. It’s a phenomenal read on setting your priorities with the simple question of “Why.” His TED Talk is one of the most-viewed ever. 

As physicians and nurses, take the time to ask yourself this simple question. And take your time with this. Set aside 15 minutes where you will not be distracted and pull out a sheet of paper. Start small at first and zoom out as you go.

Here are some questions to get you started.

  • Why did I not exercise today?
  • Why was I short with my kids today?
  • Did I journal today? Why not?
  • Why am I not excelling at work?
  • Am I happy at the work I once love? Why not?

2. Highly Successful Professionals Don’t Procrastinate

Our brains are quickly drawn toward distractions and instant gratification–be it a nice text you just got from your significant other or the “like” that you got on Facebook on the photo you recently posted of your family vacation.

The mind simply doesn’t react positively to an upcoming difficult task–unless you train it. So remind yourself just to start. For the past several months, I have wholly embraced Mel Robbins 5 Second Rule. If you consider yourself a procrastinator, you must pick up her book, 5 Second Rule. Robbins mentions that “if you have an impulse to act on a goal, you must physically move within 5 seconds or your brain will kill the idea.”

If you have 20 minutes, take a look at Mel Robbins’ TEDx talk. With over 22 million views, it has become one of the top 20 TEDx talks viewed.

3. Success Requires Batching NOT Multi-tasking

The batching of challenging tasks into long, uninterrupted blocks of time is foundational to achieve the practice of deep work. Cal Newport recommends isolating yourself for long periods (3-4 hours) of time with no distractions. This monastic approach includes turning off any pings or texts that will take you away from your primary work. This must be done at least once a week, but performing this consecutively for several days would be ideal. If you need assistance on how to start developing habits, see my earlier post on Achieving Physician Wellness through Powerful Habits.

“The key to developing a deep work habit is to move beyond good intentions and add routines and rituals to your working life designed to minimize the amount of limited willpower necessary to transition into and maintain a state of unbroken concentration.” —Cal Newport

4. To Succeed You Must Take Risks

When you are doing well in your life, it seems that you are unstoppable. We entered this field of study to be successful. Chances are that we are going to be faced with failure. We must anticipate it and accept it. Accept it for what it is–an opportunity to begin the process of learning from it.

After a perceived failure, we can feel defeated or inadequate. This can lead to negativity and doubt. I challenge you to learn from a bad experience and benefit from the fear and paralysis it creates. If you succeed at everything, you are not taking risks. You are playing it too safe and not growing to your full potential.

“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.”–Franklin D. Roosevelt 

To become better at risk-taking, start small. In their wonderfully written book, Great by Choice, Jim Collins and Morten Hansen recommend “fire bullets, then cannonballs.” The bullets represent something that is low-risk and low-cost, whereas the cannonballs represent the much larger risks. 

Do not allow the risk of failure to prevent you from trying new ventures. The more you risk and fail, the greater your chance of ultimate long-term success. 

The difference between average and extraordinary is your perception and response to failure. Our negative perception of ourselves can, ultimately, carve away at our wellness leading to physician burnout. Realize that failure is not the enemy but a necessary part of our daily journey toward wellness. Use these lessons to incorporate in your daily practice and welcome the valuable lessons that our failures can teach us.

5. Successful People Rid Small Things with Rituals

Routines and rituals are quite simply the best way to overcome the temptation of going down the rabbit hole of small, unimportant things. I have been a loud advocate for daily rituals, and I bookend my days with my ARISE Morning Ritual and SLEEP Evening Ritual.

Take the time to develop your own morning and evening ritual and consider this time sacred–no exceptions. It can last 15 minutes or up to 60 minutes. Find what works for you and your family, but this must be done daily.

Are you interested in developing your rituals? I have a free 3 Video Series to get you started today. Click HERE to get started.

6. Successful Professionals Don’t Compare Themselves to Others

When you catch yourself comparing yourself to others, take a step back as ask yourself, “what am I really good at?” Most can come up with 2-3 things. And don’t restrict yourself to medicine; look broadly. Are you a good listener? A good cook? A good mediator? 

Be proud of your strengths and celebrate them. Use your strengths as fuel to propel you to create a better version of you. Only you truly know what your strengths are. Use them as your “unfair advantage,” and your internal scorecard continues to improve. 

Finally, please remember, the only thing that you are better at than anyone else in this world is being yourself. This is incredibly empowering once you recognize it. Use your strengths to improve and become a better version of yourself. 

You can’t be everything to everyone, but you can be everything to yourself, so attention should be on this. So remember, rather than comparing yourself to others, compare yourself to what you were yesterday.

Are you a better version of you today as compared to yesterday? If so, you are on the right path. Keep improving. If not, why not? What roadblocks prevented this? Fix it today and move on. 

7. To Succeed You Must Be an Excellent Communicator

I spoke about this on last week’s show. Click HERE to hear the entire show. It does bear repeating, though. Communicating and connecting with people is one of the most essential skills that must be practiced to learn, grow, and thrive in medicine. We often achieve the role of doctor or nurse because we have excelled in accomplishing a specific goal. But to truly become a great physician or nurse, and by default, a leader, you must master the art of communicating. And, most importantly, connecting with others. 

Start Today! Use the tips above to get you started on your journey.

Until next time, be good to yourself and each other.

I am Here to Help

My mission is to give you the courage and the tools needed to help you learn, grow, and prosper in the important areas of your life-personally and professionally. If you are looking to get started and begin your journey toward wellness, click HERE. I have a free 3 Video Series to walk you through the first steps on this wonderful adventure. Join hundreds of other doctors and nurses who had the courage and permitted themselves to deserve a better life. Let’s walk this journey together. Click HERE to start now.

Yes, you can succeed at home and work. All it takes is intent and a mentor to walk with you. If you provide the first, I will give the second. Let’s get started.

Until next time, be good to yourself and each other.

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About Dr. Harry Karydes
Success Mentor For High-Achieving Healthcare Professionals
If you are like most high achievers, you’re already a focused and self-motivated individual. You’re devoted to healing your patients–and doing it quickly. But you’re looking for more. You’re looking for a lifetime of success in your personal and your professional life. I help busy professionals by creating habits that peak performers use every day. My mission is to give you the courage and the tools to learn, grow and thrive in the important areas of your life. To live a life of focus and balance. Yes, you can succeed at work and at home. All it takes is the intent and a mentor to walk with you. If you provide the first, I will provide the second. Let’s get started.
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