Are You Letting Desperation Become a Habit?

Once you have been in practice for several years things start to refine and you figure out that there are certain conditions that you really enjoy treating and ones that you don’t. For me, it took me a few years to learn that orthopedics is my jam. Fertility… not so much. But I would still take on fertility cases because I didn’t want to “leave money on the table” as some of my mentors and teachers at the time would say.

We all have taken on cases that are outside of our speciality and strengths, or allowed patients to continuously violate our clinic policies because, frankly, we’re afraid to turn away the money. Many of you reluctantly take insurance because you think you can’t survive financially without it. When you’re trying to run a business it feels so hard to turn patients away. I get it. Many of you have been in survival mode since day 1 and after several years it’s hard to know any other way to be. Before you know it, desperation has become a lifestyle.

Desperation is a dignity killer. It causes you to make decisions that put a strain on your ethical boundaries and your sense of agency. Over time this can build resentment, bitterness, and burnout. As long as you continue in this mode, you will always feel like you’re on a hamster wheel.

I want everyone reading this to take an honest look at your current situation and identify the areas where you are taking action from a place of desperation. Then ask yourself how you can instead approach these areas from a place of abundance. Moving forward you may be faced with situations where saying yes out of desperation is the practical thing to do. When that happens, say to yourself “Let this be the last time.” and release it.

Because at some point you have to choose your dignity.