Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

How do we embrace the plot twists in our life?

Amy Vertrees, MD
Physician
January 18, 2022
136 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

The most memorable books have twists, turns, and surprises. A plot twist is a literary technique involving a radical change in an expected outcome. It involves withholding critical information until the time is right, changing our perception of preceding or current events. There are often hints along the way, foreshadowing what is to come, but realization does not come until the twist happens, and often only appreciated in retrospect. Red herrings, cliffhangers, unreliable narrators are all common elements of a plot twist.

How often have we read a book with the hero on the linear path? They are doing what they “should” be doing. We see the inner conflict; we know there is something more than the bland life offered. The character has so much more potential than this. We urge them to realize it, flip the page anticipating that they will see it, too. But that would be too easy! The hero’s journey has twists, turns, and pain. That’s what makes the story interesting. But even through the catastrophes, we have faith that they will pick up and move on to a triumphant finish.

The hero doesn’t know their life is about to make a major shift, and they will be challenged, like iron forged in a fire. The true potential of the here is evident to everyone but the hero themself. They only realize their true potential after something shocking or devastating comes up, and they conquer it.

But we have little tolerance or understanding of that in our own life. If our career doesn’t follow the linear path, then we think there is something wrong with us, all is lost, there is no hope. We don’t think that there may be a path that may be richer and more fulfilling. This is not surprising for doctors, since a significant amount of our time is spent linearly without as much room for plot twists.

Plot twists are most likely to occur in the three major times in our career when we have the most choice. The first is when we finish training, and the world is wide open. We can pick any job we want, travel anywhere. We may get lucky and find exactly what suites us. A happy ending. More often, we encounter the twists and turns of difficult partners, impossible patient situations, complications that lead us to doubt about our capabilities, and the administrative villain.

We feel the “arrival fallacy.” We arrive at our destination; we expect to feel something profound. But then we don’t, and that leads to disappointment. We forget the idea that the hero’s journey is a quest. We arrive and find new, different, and more challenging problems. Job loss. Work conflict. Divorce. Bruce Feiler in “Life is in the transitions,” described these events as “lifequakes.” But what if this was the plot twist that takes us on to a path with our highest potential?

Even if we found our palace with a prince or princess, the second plot twist occurs mid-career as we wonder: Is this all there is? Our time is running out, and we must decide if we fight another dragon or wander the gardens appreciating what we have built with the battles already conquered.

This plot twist transitions to the final stage, finding our successor. If we have recognized those around us, we identify the successor. They have joined us on our quest, and they have proven their worth. We pass the crown to them and become a hero in their story, and we live on in them. Or we fight them for it because we are not ready to give it up, and we become the story’s villain. We know those characters, too. Heroes past their prime that have become bitter, withholding support because their entire identity is wrapped up in the role. And the successors will always carry on, with or without our help. We choose which we want to be.

So how do we embrace the plot twists in our life? In Daring Greatly, Brene Brown talked about owning the story as a strategy for shame resilience. Life may not turn out as expected, and we may feel guilt about the event or develop into shame in how we feel about ourselves. But if we consider this is our story, and that twists, turns, disappointments are to be expected, then we can start owning the story. We see ourselves as the lead character, embracing our flaws, forgiving the missteps knowing that we are the hero of our story. We own our story, and we can own the ending.

A plot twist is what makes the story interesting and memorable. The joy is in the unexpected and necessary to the development of the character. As an avid reader, I often can’t wait to turn the page. But with age, I understand savoring it. It’s not the destination; it’s the journey. Who we are becoming. I am getting to know myself as the character, learning the flaws and strengths, and owning the story. I am enjoying it along the way, and although I am excited about what comes next, I am slowing down the turning of the page and enjoying learning the lessons and what is going on right now. Trusting that I am the hero of the story that will unfold as it was meant to be.

Amy Vertrees is a general surgeon and founder, BOSS Business of Surgery Series.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

Analyzing the deficit of African-Americans in academic medicine [PODCAST]

January 17, 2022 Kevin 0
…
Next

The painful anniversary of Dr. Susan Moore

January 18, 2022 Kevin 1
…

Tagged as: Practice Management, Surgery

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Analyzing the deficit of African-Americans in academic medicine [PODCAST]
Next Post >
The painful anniversary of Dr. Susan Moore

More by Amy Vertrees, MD

  • A call to stop overworking

    Amy Vertrees, MD
  • How to stop sabotaging yourself

    Amy Vertrees, MD
  • Stop resisting the imposter

    Amy Vertrees, MD

Related Posts

  • Embrace the teamwork involved in becoming a physician

    Nathaniel Fleming
  • Ethical humanism: life after #medbikini and an approach to reimagining professionalism

    Jay Wong
  • The life cycle of medication consumption

    Fery Pashang, PharmD
  • My first end-of-life conversation

    Shereen Jeyakumar
  • There’s no such thing as work-life balance

    Katie Fortenberry, PhD
  • Are the life sciences the best premedical majors?

    Moses Anthony

More in Physician

  • A mentor’s legacy in medicine, leadership, and embracing evidence-based care

    Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA
  • Breaking free from restrictive covenants to combat burnout

    Raya E. Kheirbek, MD
  • From medical student to intern: Discovering a deeper connection with patients

    Johnathan Yao, MD, MPH
  • A physician’s typical day, as envisioned by a non-clinician health care MBA: a satire

    Jennifer Lycette, MD
  • Decoding name displays in health care: Privacy, identification, and compliance unveiled

    Deepak Gupta, MD
  • Master time management with 7 productivity strategies for optimal results

    Farzana Hoque, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Physician entrepreneurs offer hope for burned out doctors

      Cindy Rubin, MD | Physician
    • Boxing legends Tyson and Foreman: powerful lessons for a resilient and evolving health care future

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • A physician’s typical day, as envisioned by a non-clinician health care MBA: a satire

      Jennifer Lycette, MD | Physician
    • Is chaos in health care leading us towards socialized medicine? How physician burnout is a catalyst.

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Decoding name displays in health care: Privacy, identification, and compliance unveiled

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician
    • We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

      Jeffrey A. Singer, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • It’s time to replace the 0 to 10 pain intensity scale with a better measure

      Mark Sullivan, MD and Jane Ballantyne, MD | Conditions
    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • An inspiring tribute to an exceptional radiologist who made a lasting impact

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
  • Recent Posts

    • Unlocking resilience: a powerful journey from trauma to transformation [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Overcoming the lies of depression: Senator John Fetterman’s struggle with mental health

      Harvey Max Chochinov, MD, PhD | Conditions
    • Master the ABIM Certification exam with effective strategies: insider tips for success

      Farzana Hoque, MD | Education
    • A mentor’s legacy in medicine, leadership, and embracing evidence-based care

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Breaking free from restrictive covenants to combat burnout

      Raya E. Kheirbek, MD | Physician
    • Fixing the system and prioritizing patient care [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • New Data in NSCLC Bolster Support for Perioperative Immunotherapy
  • Breathing Support Type Matters for Preventing Extubation Failure in the PICU
  • Second-Line Axi-Cel Bests Standard in Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma
  • New Agents for Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma Impress in Early-Stage Clinical Trials
  • Kratom Linked to Outsized Proarrhythmic Risks

Meeting Coverage

  • New Data in NSCLC Bolster Support for Perioperative Immunotherapy
  • Second-Line Axi-Cel Bests Standard in Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma
  • New Agents for Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma Impress in Early-Stage Clinical Trials
  • CAR-T Tops Standard Care in Heavily Pretreated Lenalidomide-Refractory Myeloma
  • T-DXd Proves Mettle in Multiple Solid Tumors
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Physician entrepreneurs offer hope for burned out doctors

      Cindy Rubin, MD | Physician
    • Boxing legends Tyson and Foreman: powerful lessons for a resilient and evolving health care future

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • A physician’s typical day, as envisioned by a non-clinician health care MBA: a satire

      Jennifer Lycette, MD | Physician
    • Is chaos in health care leading us towards socialized medicine? How physician burnout is a catalyst.

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Decoding name displays in health care: Privacy, identification, and compliance unveiled

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician
    • We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

      Jeffrey A. Singer, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • It’s time to replace the 0 to 10 pain intensity scale with a better measure

      Mark Sullivan, MD and Jane Ballantyne, MD | Conditions
    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • An inspiring tribute to an exceptional radiologist who made a lasting impact

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
  • Recent Posts

    • Unlocking resilience: a powerful journey from trauma to transformation [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Overcoming the lies of depression: Senator John Fetterman’s struggle with mental health

      Harvey Max Chochinov, MD, PhD | Conditions
    • Master the ABIM Certification exam with effective strategies: insider tips for success

      Farzana Hoque, MD | Education
    • A mentor’s legacy in medicine, leadership, and embracing evidence-based care

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Breaking free from restrictive covenants to combat burnout

      Raya E. Kheirbek, MD | Physician
    • Fixing the system and prioritizing patient care [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...