185. Why It's Hard for Those in Medicine to Change

The Mindful Healers Podcast with Dr. Jessie Mahoney and Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang

Do you think there is a right and wrong way to go about change? And/or a right or wrong time to change?

Is the fear of making a mistake holding you back from change?

When you are “successful” it is harder to change.

What makes charge hard for those trained in medicine?

• We assume negative outcomes and tend to catastrophize.

• We focus on negative what if’s and we don’t like uncertainty.

• We like control, plans, and evidence-based action.

• We tend to be people pleasers and don't want to disappoint.

• We are often over-responsible at the expense of ourselves (martyrdom).

• We tend to be risk-avoidant and afraid of making mistakes.

What is needed to finally change and have it stick?

• You have to want to change yourself -- instead of wanting others or things outside of you to change

• You need to move towards something rather than away from something

• You need to believe in yourself and trust the process

• You need to practice effective energy management

• You need to practice healthy nervous system care

• You need to learn to practice self-compassion, neutrality, acceptance, and kindness

• You need to support yourself well

• You need to be willing to invest time and energy into change itself

Listen to the episode to learn more.

If you want to make a change in your own life and/or are in the midst of career and/or life pivots, join Transition Well, Ongoing Presence, or a Sagrada CME Retreat. They all offer intimate small-group coaching programs for women in medicine and they are exactly the support you need to transition, grow, evolve, and change.

If you prefer 1:1 attention, reach out for 1:1 coaching support. Getting help helps!

*Nothing in this episode should be considered medical advice.