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

Bring the real You to your workplace

Randall S. Fong, MD
Physician
December 3, 2022
35 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

Life is short, so make yours extraordinary. Capitalize on what makes you, YOU, and be your own unapologetic self.

The Almighty designed us as unique but imperfect and flawed individuals, prone to sin and blundering error. But that’s the great part of being human; we’re expected to sin, blunder, and make mistakes. We’re made to err for the sake of learning and growth; otherwise, we’d wither into uninspiring nothingness. Keep this in mind each day — that life is a journey, a series of explorations into uncharted territory that opens doors to new adventures. This requires risk — the risk of utter embarrassment, the risk of losing something huge in the process, and the risk of failure.

Risk is not inherently bad. To flourish and learn, we must go out on a limb every now and then. Be daring if what you seek is worthy. What is worthiness? Any endeavor that improves you for the sake of someone else without disadvantaging another. Embrace the big picture — the common good. You’re a single but vital cell contributing to the entire organism of humanity.

Risk falling flat on your face and then getting back up. Life is all about trial and error, chances, and second chances. Venture out and lose sight of the shore; you’ll be amazed to discover what’s out there, sometimes right outside your door.

I love this quote: “Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”

That was Hellen Keller, struck blind and deaf at 19 months of age.

Bring the real you to your workplace. No matter where you work or how boring or uninspiring your occupation may seem, you can make it more pleasurable and more meaningful by bringing your unique self into the equation.

I do this myself or try. For instance, I run barefoot, outside, in public. At first, it was awkward and strange, stumbling about like a fool, enduring wise-ass remarks from strangers and drive-by teenagers. I got over the embarrassment, didn’t care what others thought, and kept at it. I do it for its childlike simplicity because it’s liberating and sometimes painful, but in a good way. “Pain is weakness leaving the body,” the Marines say. But each time I run, it empties my head, and I get to bask in the sublime beauty of the here and now. And despite a tough and sometimes brutal day as a physician, the stress and anxiety melt, and everything just feels right with the world. And this carries into the workplace.

I share this and other personal stories with patients to help them discover that same joy in their own way; a bit of unconventional therapy, so to speak, beyond the colder, scientific realm of hardcore medicine. I stay curious, keep a sense of humor, and risk being foolish. I blend in my passion for art and writing, displaying some of my art where I work. I write and illustrate the educational content used in-office and online on a patient-centered blog and practice website, often with an unorthodox, unusual, and sometimes weird bent. I also incorporate this same approach in teaching residents and medical students.

What I’m trying to say is: make your work your pleasure. It’s more humanizing and more satisfying for you, your coworkers, and the people you are entrusted to serve. Heck, it’s a lot more fun and can be a real blast sometimes, especially when another is engaged with you. It’s like escapism, but without needing to escape. It could very well be the remedy for burnout. It might be the link to the fountain of youth, not by dialing down your age or adding years to your life, but (paraphrasing Abe Lincoln) by increasing the life in your years. All of this stems from one’s personal experience, meant to share with others to enrich their lives and those living it.

Plan your life’s journey as a great adventure novel with a captivating plot and an awesome finish.

Life is short. Live it well and leave nothing in the tank. Get down in the dirt, run it out with all your heart and soul, and finish gloriously by sliding into home plate tattered and soiled, leaving nothing behind.

Randall S. Fong is an otolaryngologist and can be reached at his self-titled site, Randall S. Fong, as well as his blog.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

Migrants need and deserve access to healthy lives in the U.S.

December 3, 2022 Kevin 0
…
Next

The unstoppable momentum of a medical "fact" with no source

December 3, 2022 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Hospital-Based Medicine, Primary Care

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Migrants need and deserve access to healthy lives in the U.S.
Next Post >
The unstoppable momentum of a medical "fact" with no source

More by Randall S. Fong, MD

  • The myth of wealthy doctors: Why business education is vital for every physician

    Randall S. Fong, MD
  • Stop and smell the cadavers

    Randall S. Fong, MD
  • Hearing loss is a significant public health problem

    Randall S. Fong, MD

Related Posts

  • Why social media may be causing real emotional harm

    Edwin Leap, MD
  • How to deal with politics in the workplace

    Health eCareers
  • A real-life example of irrational health care spending

    Taylor J. Christensen, MD
  • Who are the real superheroes of medicine?

    Batoul Harissa
  • Taking off the training wheels and becoming a real doctor

    Nathaniel Fleming
  • Please stop giving awards specifically to women in the workplace

    Suzi Richards

More in Physician

  • Heartwarming stories of cancer patients teaching us about life and the human spirit

    Johnathan Yao, MD, MPH
  • We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

    Jeffrey A. Singer, MD
  • The meaning of death in medicine: the role of compassionate care in end-of-life patient care

    Ton La, Jr., MD, JD
  • How can there be joy in medicine if there is no joy in Mudville?

    Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA
  • Physician entrepreneurs offer hope for burned out doctors

    Cindy Rubin, MD
  • The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

    Elizabeth Cerceo, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • A patient’s perspective on the diminishing relationship between doctors and patients

      Michele Luckenbaugh | Conditions
    • How chronic illness and disability are portrayed in media and the importance of daily choices for improved quality of life

      Juliet Morgan and Meghan Jobson | Physician
    • The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

      Elizabeth Cerceo, MD | Physician
    • Why affirmative action is crucial for health equity and social justice in medicine

      Katrina Gipson, MD, MPH | Policy
    • The power of coaching for physicians: transforming thoughts, changing lives

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • Unlocking the secrets of cancer conferences: an end-of-life counselor’s journey among pharmaceutical giants

      Althea Halchuck, EJD | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • It’s time to replace the 0 to 10 pain intensity scale with a better measure

      Mark Sullivan, MD and Jane Ballantyne, MD | Conditions
    • Breaking point: the 5 reasons American doctors are dreaming of walking away from medicine

      Amol Shrikhande, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

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

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
  • Recent Posts

    • The pros and cons of taking a gap year during medical school

      Med School Insiders | Education, Sponsored
    • A family physician’s journey on the OIG list and the struggle to return to practice [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Heartwarming stories of cancer patients teaching us about life and the human spirit

      Johnathan Yao, MD, MPH | Physician
    • We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

      Jeffrey A. Singer, MD | Physician
    • The meaning of death in medicine: the role of compassionate care in end-of-life patient care

      Ton La, Jr., MD, JD | Physician
    • From skydiving to saving lives: a surgeon’s journey on adversity, passion, and perseverance [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

  • Catching the Optimal Amount of Z's May Be Protective Against Long COVID
  • Treating Early Hospitalization Blood Pressure Deemed a No-No for Patient Safety
  • Addressing Burnout in an Invisible Part of the Health Workforce
  • Family-Oriented Sedation Protocol Helps Kids With ASD Manage Routine Healthcare
  • Bariatric Surgery in Kids With Obesity Becoming More Common

Meeting Coverage

  • New Model Aims to Study Intestinal Fibrosis in Crohn's Disease
  • Hypertension Tied to Worse Survival After Surgery for Upper Tract Urothelial Cancers
  • The Role of Amyloid PET in the Management of Alzheimer's Disease
  • New Inflammation Inhibitor Proves Effective and Safe for Dry Eye Disease
  • No Access to Routine Healthcare Biggest Barrier to HPV Vaccination
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • A patient’s perspective on the diminishing relationship between doctors and patients

      Michele Luckenbaugh | Conditions
    • How chronic illness and disability are portrayed in media and the importance of daily choices for improved quality of life

      Juliet Morgan and Meghan Jobson | Physician
    • The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

      Elizabeth Cerceo, MD | Physician
    • Why affirmative action is crucial for health equity and social justice in medicine

      Katrina Gipson, MD, MPH | Policy
    • The power of coaching for physicians: transforming thoughts, changing lives

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • Unlocking the secrets of cancer conferences: an end-of-life counselor’s journey among pharmaceutical giants

      Althea Halchuck, EJD | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • It’s time to replace the 0 to 10 pain intensity scale with a better measure

      Mark Sullivan, MD and Jane Ballantyne, MD | Conditions
    • Breaking point: the 5 reasons American doctors are dreaming of walking away from medicine

      Amol Shrikhande, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

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

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
  • Recent Posts

    • The pros and cons of taking a gap year during medical school

      Med School Insiders | Education, Sponsored
    • A family physician’s journey on the OIG list and the struggle to return to practice [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Heartwarming stories of cancer patients teaching us about life and the human spirit

      Johnathan Yao, MD, MPH | Physician
    • We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

      Jeffrey A. Singer, MD | Physician
    • The meaning of death in medicine: the role of compassionate care in end-of-life patient care

      Ton La, Jr., MD, JD | Physician
    • From skydiving to saving lives: a surgeon’s journey on adversity, passion, and perseverance [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...