Mastery and Wellness: Thriving in Medicine
A weekly newsletter designed to empower medical professionals to achieve mastery, balance, and well-being in their careers and lives.
Embracing Uncertainty: How To Anchor Yourself in an Unpredictable World
Does the world feel like it’s shifting beneath your feet lately?
As physicians, we’re no strangers to uncertainty. We’ve stood at the bedside weighing imperfect options, guided by training and instinct when protocols fall short.
But here’s the paradox: the same skills that help us thrive i...
by Ben Reinking —
Aug 31, 2025
personal development
physician mindset
Choosing When There's No Perfect Choice: Navigating Career Trade Offs
What big decision is keeping you up at night? You’ve weighed the pros and cons, run the numbers, and talked it through with your people. And still, there’s no obvious “right” answer.
As a clinician, you are trained to identify the best path forward for the patient in front of you, to make the ...
by Ben Reinking —
Aug 23, 2025
decision making
physician careers
Redefining Service
It's a fun time of year in academic medicine. In my role as a Learning Community Director, I meet with a cohort of fourth-year medical students. We review their Medical Student Performance Evaluation, also known as the Dean's Letter. I highlight all the positive comments about them and disc...
by Ben Reinking —
Aug 16, 2025
phsyician careers
The Art of Letting Go: Why Control is an Illusion That's Holding You Back
How often do you lay awake at 2 AM, replaying a conversation with a difficult colleague? Or find yourself checking your phone obsessively, waiting for a response that may never come?
As physicians, we're trained to take charge, solve problems, and heal. It's what makes you excellent doctor. It i...
by Ben Reinking —
Aug 09, 2025
career growth
physician careers
physician mindset
When Winning Isn’t the Point (But You Win Anyway)
This week, Katie Ledecky, the most decorated female swimmer in history, did the “impossible.” At 28, she won the 800-meter freestyle at the World Championships, outperforming 18-year-old phenom Summer McIntosh. This was her seventh world title in the event, and she’s the only woman to win th...
Aug 03, 2025
coaching
growth mindset
The Physician’s Pivot
Remember those late nights in the library during pre-med? The birthday parties missed during residency? The first holiday you spent in the hospital instead of with family?
“It’ll all be worth it when…” — how many times did you use that phrase (or something similar) to push through?
As physicia...
by Ben Reinking —
Jul 26, 2025
physician career change
physician coaching
Who Overbooked My Clinic...
I almost lost it.
One of my Sunday morning rituals is to pour a cold brew, grab my laptop, and map out my week. It’s a sacred little routine that helps me navigate my week. It is a task that actually soothes me- until I opened my schedule and saw it: every single clinic was overbooked by two pati...
by Ben Reinking —
Jul 20, 2025
physcian coaching
strengths
time management
I'll Be Happy When...
You've paid off your student loans, you have some financial cushion, and your job is secure.
In short, you have reached the point when your younger self thought, "I'll be happy when..."
The problem? Something is missing.
You are missing family dinners, spend more time charting than with patien...
by Ben Reinking —
Jul 12, 2025
physician careers
physician coaching
Redesigning Your Career Without Quitting Medicine
Most people who reach out to me about coaching start with something like:
“I love being a doctor. I like the patients. I enjoy the clinical problem-solving. But… I can’t keep practicing like this.”
They’re burned out, but not broken.
They’re bored, but not disinterested.
They want to keep p...
by Ben Reinking —
Jul 05, 2025
Finding Your Middle Path: When Medicine Feels Like a Dead End
If you've stopped in the middle of your workday, and wondered "Is this all there is?" then this newsletter is for you. (If you haven't had this experience, enjoy the cute picture of Coop.)
In an article I contributed to KevinMD, I share a personal moment that many of us have experienced but few ...
by Ben Reinking —
Jun 28, 2025
nonclinical careers for doctors
physician careers
Things My Dad Taught Me
I’m writing this to you on Father’s Day, with my dad on my mind.
I’ve always known I am lucky to have him. He’s kind, thoughtful, quick with a joke, and dedicated to our family. He’s been a quiet, steady role model my whole life.
I’m the oldest of seven kids. My parents supported all of us thr...
by Ben Reinking —
Jun 15, 2025
father's day
medical careers
physician coaching
🐾My Unexpected Teacher
What my puppy taught me about being a better physican
If you’ve been feeling stuck, creatively numb, or unsure about what’s next, this week's newsletter and blog might be exactly what you need to remember who you are beyond the white coat.
After losing two beloved dogs, my family hesitated to br...
by Ben Reinking —
Jun 08, 2025
finding meaning
joy in medicine
physician coaching