The daffodils are blooming. There is something about spring that makes me happy! As a result, I have been thinking about joy. Specifically, the deep satisfaction that comes from a great day at work. While many of us experience moments of profound meaning in medicine, sustaining that sense of purpose throughout our careers takes intention and awareness.
In this week's blog, I tackle joy and fulfillment. We started down the path of becoming a doctor because doing so aligned with certain values. It was that alignment that made all the hard work possible.
Rediscovering and honoring those values can transform the daily grind from merely sustainable to genuinely fulfilling. In "Fulfillment for Physicians: Rediscovering Your 'Why'," I explore how identifying and living by your core values creates a foundation for a joyful medical career.
This isn't about ignoring the very real challenges in healthcare today—it's about finding meaning within and despite them.
What I've witnessed in my own journey and with my coaching clients is truly remarkable: when we realign our professional choices with our authentic values, the practice of medicine becomes meaningful again.
Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you do, you will be successful.
— Albert Schweitzer
Coach's Corner
Try this: Track your joy for the next week.
The goal of this exercise is to help you identify what brings you joy and purpose so you can actively cultivate more of it in your career.
- At the end of each day, jot down one moment that felt energizing or rewarding.
- Ask: What value was I honoring here? (e.g., connection, growth, advocacy).
- Look for patterns. Which values show up most? How can you intentionally create more of these moments?
Do you want more joy in your life?
If this exercise sparks ideas (or questions!), let’s talk. I offer free 45-minute coaching consults to explore how coaching can help you:
- Clarify the values that drive your fulfillment
- Amplify the parts of medicine that invigorate you
- Design a career that feels joyfully intentional
The work you do matters. So does how it makes you feel!
To thriving,
Ben
Physician and Coach
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