“You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage—pleasantly, smilingly, non-apologetically—to say ‘no’ to other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger ‘yes’ burning inside.”
―Stephen Covey 

Work-life balance has become increasingly popular over ...

 People pleasers are liars.  

The first time I heard that quote, I was a bit shocked.  As a native New Yorker, I have a rather direct manner of speaking, and it feels more natural to just “say it like it is.” My words are often a little too blunt.  Despite my direct nature, the word lia...

“The word ‘should’ is an enemy of growth and a thief of joy.”
―Kevin Ngo 

The first time I heard the phrase “shoulding all over yourself,” I laughed.  As a gastroenterologist, I have a particular affinity for poop jokes.  It might not be obvious when you read the phrase, but say it out l...

“We’re afraid that the feeling of joy won’t last, or that the other shoe is going to drop. We think, ‘I’m feeling good, this can’t be right; something bad is going to happen.’” 

—Brené Brown

Foreboding Joy. I didn’t make it up. I had never even heard of foreboding joy until I read Dar...

“If you have integrity, nothing else matters. 

If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.”

–Harvey Mackay

Here’s something I never thought I’d say: I attended a conference for entrepreneurs. Over the years, I’ve been to countless medical conferences where the atmosphere is f...

Balance does not mean that everything gets equal weighting all the time

One of the biggest struggles of my adult life has been the elusive idea of work-life balance.  It seems like a simple concept.  First, determine your priorities.  Then, live your life aligned with those priorities. ...

“Life is about taking chances, trying new things, having fun, making mistakes, and learning from it.”
―Unknown

As I settled into the new identity of physician coach, I struggled to find ways to express my thoughts and ideas.  I know most people are captivated by audio and video, but I was...

“There is a lie that acts like a virus within the mind of humanity. And that lie is, ‘There’s not enough good to go around. There’s lack and there’s limitation and there’s just not enough.’

The truth is that there’s more than enough good to go around. There is more than enough creative idea...

Have you heard the commencement speech given by David Foster Wallace, called This Is Water?  I hadn’t.  It isn’t your typical commencement speech filled with hope and inspiration.  Instead, it is an in-depth look at the monotony of everyday life.  It is all of the things you didn’t know about...

Here are some words I never imagined saying: I recently attended a conference for entrepreneurs.  I was surrounded by impressive individuals putting themselves in the proverbial arena with the goal of disrupting struggles and pain points for their future customers.  An entire afternoon was...

When my mother turned 18, her father gave her a St. Christopher medallion to bless her in her travels and a $10 bill so that she would never be without money.  She saved both.  They remain enshrined in the original plastic box.  The box is now weathered and held together by masking tape.  Fortu...

What is this self inside us, this silent observer,

Severe and speechless critic , who can terrorize us

And urge us on to futile activity

And in the end, judge us still more severely

For the errors into which his own reproaches drove us?

--T. S. Eliot, The Elder Statesman

In the...