Welcome the Struggle: You’ll be a Better Doctor for It
July 30, 2019

Something has happened to us recently. We lost our love of the struggle. Our parents, friends and even strangers have told us, to finish medical school and then “life would be easy.”

We have been told to work hard in school so you can go to medical school, graduate medical school, and then “everything will be ok.”

Then why does it seem so hard?

Well quite simply, we believed them. And why shouldn’t we believe them? Many of you know someone who was a physician before deciding to go to medical school. Perhaps your parents are physicians. 

Life seems good–nice cars, beautiful homes, and financial security. All those things may be true, but where did we get this impression that life should be easy?

I am here to tell you to Welcome the struggle! Love the struggle! For it is in the struggle that real growth blossoms. To achieve a greater sense of wellness and excellence, it takes hard work, intention, habits, and rituals–consistently. 

Yes, it will be mundane, even frustrating at times. Yet, this is where the gold lies. 

To truly become great and achieve goals that you have only dreamed of–love the struggle

The Greatest Generation

If you ever have the honor of caring for World War II veterans, take a moment to talk with them–really talk with them. They are widely considered The Greatest Generation for a reason. The people of this generation lived through the Great Depression and either fought in World War II or worked in an industry that contributed to winning the war. 

They would tell you living comfortably wasn’t the goal. They upheld the ideals of getting their hands dirty with sweat on their brows. This is what built character. They learned to love the struggle. It only made you a better human, a better citizen, a better father, and a better leader. 

They would tell you stories that the real challenges and hardships of life are what pushed them beyond what they thought they could accomplish. By encountering difficulties and overcoming them, they created a mindset, in themselves and a whole generation, that no struggle is too great.

Early Career Setback Leads to Love of the Struggle

You may have heard Friedrich Nietzsche’s famous quote, “what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger,” but is it true?

A recent publication from Northwestern University helped answer that very question. 

The researchers examined junior scientists applying for US National Institute of Health (NIH) R01 grants. They focused on grant proposals that fell just below the funding threshold and proposals that fell just above the funding threshold. The researchers compared “near misses” (individuals who just missed receiving funding) versus the “near wins” (individuals who just succeeded in getting funded) to determine long-term career outcomes.

They found that despite an early setback, individuals with near misses systematically outperformed those with near wins in the long run, as their publications in the next ten years amassed substantially higher impact. 

Further, they found that early-career setback appears to cause a performance improvement in those who persevere. The study concludes that “for those who persevere, early failure should not be taken as a negative signal–but rather the opposite, in line with Shinya Yamanaka’s advice to young scientists, after winning the Nobel prize for the discovery of iPS cells, ‘I can see any failure as a chance.’ ” In other words, these scientists learned to love the struggle.

The Obstacle is the Way

“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way”–Marcus Aurelius

The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday is a book I keep beside my nightstand. It’s an excellent read on overcoming obstacles and adversity in your personal and professional life. Holiday describes three critical steps to overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities to learn and grow. 

1. The Discipline of Perception

Perception is how we see and understand the world around us. It is what we decide the events mean, and our perceptions can be a source of strength or weakness. We are surrounded by social media and influencers telling us what we are supposed to think. If we are emotional and short-sighted, we will only perceive what we are told which will, undoubtedly, only add to our troubles.

Yet, if we remain calm and objective and turn away from the wrong signals around us, we will remain unshakeable. We will see the world, filled with obstacles, as something simple and straightforward–neither good nor bad. This is the first step toward using struggle as an advantage–an opportunity to remain strong while others are afraid. 

2. The Disciple of Action

While action is essential, directed action that is key. Directed action requires courage and thought. It requires persistence and flexibility. Action is the answer to struggle. 

Nick Saban, head football coach of the University of Alabama, is considered by many the greatest coach in college football. He is a prime example of the importance of taking directed action. He attributes his incredible success to “The Process” where he dismantles large, complicated tasks (like winning a championship) into smaller actionable pieces.  

“Don’t think about winning the SEC Championship. Don’t think about the national championship. Think about what you needed to do in this drill, on this play, in this moment. That’s the process: Let’s think about what we can do today, the task at hand.”–Nick Saban

Think you can use Nick Saban’s Process in medicine? Absolutely!

3. The Discipline of the Will

Your will is your internal superpower. It’s what you have when you face a struggle that seems unchangeable or undeniable negative (I bet you can think of several right now). Holiday describes will as not “how bad we want something” rather true will is quiet humility, resilience, and flexibility. The other will is “weakness disguised by bluster and ambition.”

“It’s supposed to be hard. Your first attempts aren’t going to work. It’s going to take a lot out of you—but energy is an asset we can always find more of. It’s a renewable resource. Stop looking for an epiphany, and start looking for weak points. Stop looking for angels, and start looking for angles.”–Ryan Holiday, The Obstacle is the Way.

Finally, if you are unwilling to suffer through the inevitable struggles, hiccups, mistakes, or difficulties, then it’s going to be a long and arduous career. Commit yourself to welcome the struggle, and you will be rewarded with a better you and a fruitful future. You will bring the best from yourself. You will begin to notice that you wake up with a sense of readiness and a sense of calm when confronted with stressful situations. 

The struggle must be a part of the process in your journey toward wellness. Once you decide to welcome it into your life, you will draw courage from deep within. 

I will leave you with a quote from one of my favorite writers,  Brendon Burchard, New York Times bestseller on the topic of struggle. I repeat it during times of my own struggles, and it always helps change my mindset and re-focus. 

“The struggle I’m now facing is necessary, and it’s summoning me to show up, be strong, and use it to forge a better future for myself and my loved ones. “–Brendon Burchard

Be good to yourself and each other. And remember, learn to love the struggle! 

Until next time, be well.

Note: Many of the links on this page are affiliate links, meaning if you choose to make a purchase I may make a small commission (this is at no additional cost to you). That said, I only recommend resources that I have tested and found them effective and useful. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel they will help you achieve your goals.

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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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