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If I had known how destructive shift work was for my sleep and health, I don’t think I would have chosen to be an emergency doctor. And while you might not be in emergency medicine, you’re probably still working late hours, doing call at the hospital, or bringing your work home with you. All doctors […]

When I was a medical student on team medicine, the attending, Dr. Rob Fowler said “people like Team Medicine…because everyone suffers together.” Haha. Love it. And it’s so true. I remember ordering dinner for the team from Spring Rolls and sharing late night snacks with my fellow trainees…finishing our consults, learning some new content, and […]

By default, I think I’m right. And in line with this belief, naturally I try to control how people around me behave and think. If you believe this doesn’t apply to you, ask yourself if you’ve ever done any of these things: Escalated an argument with a trainee consultant by saying “fine–I want to speak […]

When I first heard Brené Brown talk about shame, I did not identify shame as being the root cause of my burnout. After all, control is just my way of being efficient. And sure, I criticize and blame other people (when they do stupid things). Okay, and yes I compare. But who doesn’t? I’m working […]

If you had asked me 15 years ago what I thought of rest, I would have said “sleeping is for lazy people.” And I really believed it. Like many doctors, I was proud of my ability to plough through long days at the hospital with almost no sleep or breaks to eat. I didn’t even […]

Yes, that’s right. I want you to do a time audit. (GROOOAAAANNNNNN). Why? Do you ever feel that your life is governed by crises rather than true priorities? Like the dog gets sick and needs to see the vet. Your attic has a new leak. Or your child has a test tomorrow and just told […]

There are a few things that I don’t mind to collect in my home. Books. Cameras. Bookmarks. Tote bags with hipster references. Bicycles. And journals. Whether you prefer a digital journal, audio recordings, or luxurious paper like me–I encourage you to tap into the power of journalling. Why? As a mother and a doctor, does […]

Have you read this beautiful essay by Bronnie Ware? Bronnie worked with palliative care patients and wanted to share the universal stories of regret from those at the end of their lives. Write down your regrets. Keep this list in front of you, because you can use these regrets to be guide posts for your […]

In 2012, at that moment in the emergency department when I felt I had screwed up my life choices, I would never have guessed that I would ever be on the other side of burnout. I didn’t know much about personal development, core values, or habits. I didn’t even know how to take care of […]

At this time of year (if it’s December when you’re reading this), probably you are thinking back to what happened in the past 12 months. Maybe you feel good about all you’ve accomplished. Maybe you feel you didn’t hit your goals. I want to share a habit that I started to practice about 8 years […]