Running Toward Something: Side Gigs, Non-Clinical Careers, and the Doctor Identity | Ep58
What happens when the career you once believed would last forever no longer feels like the right fit?
In this insightful solo episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh unpacks the emotional and psychological realities that physicians face when they begin to consider career transitions. Whether it's reducing clinical hours, exploring leadership, pursuing non-clinical opportunities, or simply wondering what comes next, the biggest obstacle often isn't logistics; it's identity.
Dr. Hersh explains why physicians struggle with becoming beginners again after years of expertise, how uncertainty differs from complexity, and why many career changes are driven less by dissatisfaction with medicine itself and more by the systems surrounding it. He also discusses the importance of moving toward a meaningful future instead of simply escaping a difficult present.
This episode offers practical wisdom for physicians who are questioning their current path while reminding listeners that successful transitions are rarely giant leaps; they're built through small experiments, thoughtful reflection, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty.
About the Show:
Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager.
Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didnā€™t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention.
Three Actionable Takeaways:Ā
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Focus on What You're Moving Toward: Before making a career change, identify what you're hoping to build, not just what you're trying to leave behind. Purpose-driven decisions create more fulfilling transitions.
- Separate Your Identity From Your Job Title: Being a physician is part of who you are, but it doesn't have to define your entire identity. Your skills, values, and impact can extend far beyond clinical practice.
- Start With Small Experiments: Career transitions don't require immediate, life-changing decisions. Explore consulting, leadership, teaching, coaching, or other opportunities gradually to discover what truly fits.
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