What if You Don’t Know What You Want Next: A Physician’s Guide to Finding Direction
An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in March 2024.
As a physician, you've poured years of your life into your profession. You spend the better part of your waking hours staying current on the latest research, honing your skills, serving your patients with compassion and care, and being a supportive teammate to your colleagues and staff.
But, like many doctors, there may come a time in your professional trajectory when you feel a need for change and a yearning for something different. Maybe you feel stuck, unfulfilled, or underappreciated. Or perhaps you simply crave a change of scenery.
In this article, I’ll give you some strategies that will help you to gain clarity and direction when you’re not sure what you want next.
Why Uncertainty Feels So Hard
Even when your current trajectory feels all wrong, it may be difficult to envision what change should or could look like. From medical school to residency and beyond, your path up to this point has probably been clearly marked. As you reached one milestone, the next was likely in view. That’s one reason that making your own way can feel like such a steep climb.
There’s a certain comfort and predictability in following the well-worn trail, no matter how strenuous. For many people that is the right choice. But at some point you may find yourself longing to choose your own direction, or set your own pace. Whether you're considering changing the way you practice, adjusting your working hours, exploring opportunities outside of clinical medicine, or even contemplating retirement, the uncertainty can be daunting.
It’s very easy to get stuck at this point, instead of recognizing that this period of unease is often the first step in a new direction.
Seven Strategies to Move Forward
Although it’s important to think things through, I’m a firm believer in the adage that action creates clarity. Action however, does not have to mean commitment or a big shift. Sometimes that can even be dangerous, especially when you haven’t planned for the obstacles ahead. Giving yourself time and space to actively explore what is possible can make your next steps more clear.
If you’re feeling like you’ve come to a standstill, here are some ideas that can help pull you out of the rut and find some serious traction that will move you forward.
🥾Reconnect with Your Core Values
Take some time to reflect on what truly matters to you, both personally and professionally. What are your core values? What values do you want your career and life to reflect?
Understanding what drives you and what you hope to achieve can provide valuable insight into the direction you should take. If you’re unclear on how to express your personal values, my Values Workbook can help.
🥾Inventory Your Strengths and Interests
Think about what energizes you in your current work. Which skills do you enjoy using most? Are there interests outside of medicine that you’d like to explore more deeply?
Sometimes asking yourself “What lights me up?” is enough to spark new ideas. Don’t be afraid to consider possibilities that may not obviously relate to the practice of medicine. At this point in the process, curious inquiry does not mean commitment.
Mind mapping or journaling can often help connect your passions with new possibilities.
🥾Seek Guidance and Perspective
Reach out to mentors and trusted colleagues. Each one of us has our own story, but a mentor can give you valuable insight and may even open doors to new opportunities.
You might also choose to work with a coach. A coach will give you a safe space to explore and reflect, and the process can provide valuable insights that can help you get out of your own way. While a coach will not tell you what to do next, coaching will support you as you uncover your own answers.
🥾Explore and Experiment
If you're unsure of the direction you want to take, allow yourself to try out new experiences. Attend a conference, volunteer for something meaningful to you, take a course, or explore an interest that excites you. These experiences don’t have to directly connect to medicine. Exploration itself often reveals what truly resonates.
🥾Stay Flexible
Your path doesn't have to follow a straight line. It's okay to pivot or investigate new opportunities at any stage of your life. Be true to yourself, but keep in mind that it’s always a good idea not to burn any bridges along the way.
When you embrace flexibility, you’ll often find unexpected and even surprising opportunities.
🥾Take Small Steps
Thinking about a major change can feel overwhelming, especially for physicians. More than most other professions, we often feel defined by the work that we do.
You don't have to have all the answers right away. Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps, and focus on consistent and purposeful action. If your goals change through the process, all the better.
🥾 Practice Self-Compassion
Be kind to yourself as you navigate change. It's normal to feel uncertain or indecisive during big transitions. Practice self-compassion and remind yourself that it's okay not to have all the answers.
Moving Ahead
As a physician, you already embody resilience, dedication, and resourcefulness. Those same qualities will serve you as you explore what comes next. By aligning with your values, experimenting with new possibilities, and giving yourself grace in the process, you’ll create space for clarity, renewal, and purposeful action.
If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.
And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.