Do you worry that your work-life is unsustainable?

What possessed me to spend the many, many, many hours required to do a TEDx talk?

A physician I worked with (Dr. B in my talk) whose life turned around by applying micro changes at work.

Honestly, I was shocked at the speedy impact of the small, intentional changes she made.

If you’re like many women physicians and healthcare leaders today, balancing the demands of home and work is leaving you perpetually pressed for time and struggling to keep pace with your daily responsibilities. You want to excel professionally and lead with confidence, but you also want a life.

The challenges are real. (For a deeper look, see my blog.)

And yet, a few, strategic, micro changes can literally save careers.

Do you feel like your current work situation is unsustainable?
Are considering leaving your job, organization, or medicine?
Is work taking over more and more of your time and head space?
Do you see burnout coming (or coming again)?
Are you fed up, frustrated, and wanting MORE in your life?

If this resonates, know that you’re not alone. Check out my podcast, Vital Signs: Thriving as a Woman in Medicine, to learn more.

Hi, I’m Diane.

Twenty-five years ago, I made the difficult choice to leave clinical practice despite my love of patient care. It was a desperate move made for self-preservation. The stress of trying to protect my patients in a faulty system combined with my lack of internal resources for self care led me to complete depletion and despair. Later, I learned it’s called professional burnout.

I became a professional coach because I believe that coaching is truly and deeply transformative. I chose to train in a coaching style that builds on strengths and aligns with my personal values of compassion, deep authentic connection, and humility.

If you’d like to learn more about my story and why I’m so passionate about working with women physicians and healthcare leaders, please visit the My Story page.

When I started working with Diane, I was exhausted and exhibiting signs of extreme burnout. It was starting to really affect how I felt about my job and how I was perceived at work, and I knew that something had to change. With Diane’s help I really have a clear understanding of the unrealistic expectations I had for myself. I had bought into the idea that the more you do, the better doctor you are; so I was always doing extra and staying late. Now, I am better at setting boundaries to protect my work-life balance, and I have more clarity on my purpose as a physician. By giving up some of my self-judgements I am more confident and have found satisfaction in my work again.

–Katie L., Obstetrician/Gynecologist

The “aha” moment was when I found myself outlining my list of grievances about work and colleagues driving with my oldest daughter, a captive audience, because my husband refused to listen to me anymore. I needed to figure out how to deal with my feelings; I began to understand the thing that needed to change was me. I am your typical high achieving female physician, and I was easily frustrated with colleagues or situations that I could not control. I would obsess and ruminate about those frustrations- creating a downward spiral of negativity and judgement. Diane helped me identify and understand these feelings and to either accept the situation or do something else. I am now able to catch myself when I see the same old negative and judgmental feelings appear. I never realized how much energy I lost in those responses. It is actually fun to see myself intercept those feelings when they start to emerge. I feel lighter and have so much more emotional energy to invest in my family, friends, patients, colleagues, and myself.

–Beth D., Pediatrics

Before engaging in coaching with Diane, I was mentally and physically exhausted. I still enjoyed my work, but I did not know how much longer I could continue. Over the course of our meetings, I learned where I was needlessly expending energy (including in ways that I did not previously recognize), means of conserving and even restoring my energy. I feel as though I have learned strategies that will add years to my career and I am grateful.

–Leslie W., Oncology

When I began coaching with Diane, I was really unhappy with the number of hours I was working and the amount of call I had–both were seriously affecting my health. I also knew I wanted to pursue some professional interests in addition to my clinical work but felt too overwhelmed to even consider them. Through our work together, I gained clarity on what I wanted and what was in the way. I began to set limits on “invisible work” and requested changes in my work schedule. I now have space to explore my other interests–while living a balanced life.

–Kathleen C., Anesthesiology

When I sought out coaching, I felt very broken from burnout. I was a shell of myself. I spent hours charting in the evenings and was in total survival mode. I made some changes in how I work and in my priorities. I started setting limits and added in buffer time. These changes have made me a better person and a better doctor. I have more to give both my family and my patients. I have a joy and enthusiasm back in my life and have found the space to pursue my other interests outside of medicine.

–Tracy C., Primary Care Physician

Less than a year into practice, I questioned whether I had made a huge mistake. When talking to friends, mentors, and counselors didn’t touch the heart of the issue, I came across professional coaching, which bridged the gap between where I was and where I wanted to be. Diane helped me see that I had the ideas and ability to help myself all along. She helped me identify and even anticipate what was keeping me from seeing that in myself and to change my internal narrative and my lived experience. Since the formal coaching period ended, I still have all the skills I learned to maintain my progress and the confidence to handle inevitable hiccups.
–Molly A., Nurse Practitioner

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

The next step is a conversation.

Schedule a complimentary one-hour Zoom meeting and let’s talk about your journey to better.

SCHEDULE NOW

Diane W. Shannon, MD, MPH, PCC

diane@dianeshannon.com | Connect on LinkedIn

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