I got into medicine for the same reason as most doctors; to help people, to make a difference.
Over time I came to realise that while I wanted to help people and make a difference, practicing medicine wasn’t the way I wanted to do it. I was far more excited about helping my colleagues, about making a difference in their lives.
I realised that I wanted to evolve the status quo of our profession because so many doctors are struggling in their doctor jobs; 87% are stressed, over half are experiencing burnout, thus struggling with depersonalisation which inevitably leads to increases in major medical errors. My want to help doctors live exceptional lives, led me to starting all my companies and successfully lobbying the World Medical Association to amend the Declaration of Geneva, our modern day Hippocratic Oath, to include doctor health and wellbeing.
The distinction comes when you consider End Goals, and Means Goals.
End Goals are the ultimate target; what we want to experience, how we want to grow, and what we want to contribute. They are our experiences as humans.
Means Goals are the vehicles to achieve the End Goals.
For me, practicing medicine was a Means Goal to achieve the End Goal of making a real difference. I realised it wasn’t the best vehicle for me so I changed vehicles and became an entrepreneur to help doctors live exceptional lives; to love their lives and love their doctor jobs.
When we are clear on the End Goal we can change vehicles with confidence when we find a better one for us.
So ask yourself:
What do I want to experience?
How do I want to grow?
What do I want to contribute?
And finally, what am I good at and what do I love?
At the intersection of these answers is Purpose.