Through high school, premed, med school and residency, I learned to only speak when I thought I knew the right answer. Silence was safe if I was not certain of the right thing to say.
As a med student when I was not comfortable, I asked for back up on a chest tube or central line. My General Surgery chief resident considered my need for guidance a lack of confidence. He explained to me this was the reason I did not deserve Honors in my most important rotation. I learned my lesson as I sharpened my medical mindset and developed the appearance of a confident surgeon.
As a med student when I was not comfortable, I asked for back up on a chest tube or central line. My General Surgery chief resident considered my need for guidance a lack of confidence. He explained to me this was the reason I did not deserve Honors in my most important rotation. I learned my lesson as I sharpened my medical mindset and developed the appearance of a confident surgeon.
As a practicing physician, I never shared my personal life with my staff or patients under the pretense of being professional and focusing on the patients.
It was not until I was maxed out my time and capacity that my pain forced me to join my first mastermind group.
In that safe space of sharing and vulnerability, they challenged me to become more vulnerable. Through trust and shared humanity, my friends helped me discover major breakthroughs. Which continue to this day.
I am a father of 3 teenagers. My daughter struggles with anxiety.
To my shock, she challenged herself to share her story at TED X.
I am so proud of her courage to share her truth at 17 years old when it took me 45 years to share as I do on BOOMM.
I hope her words help others who struggle with anxiety or being a teenager.
I aspire that her vulnerability inspires more doctors and healthcare professionals to break out of their medical mindset and share their truth and authenticity.
Only then, can we discover the freedom and happiness to live our best lives.
Let me know how her talk lands on you. What is your truth?
