by Diane W. Shannon | Aug 4, 2022 | Burnout
Haiku #1 “I can’t.” Power words. And very, very prophetic. Are they always true? When we meet, most of the physicians I work with are experiencing some level of feeling stuck. So often today, physicians are at the whim of others’ choices—patients, payers,... 
by Diane W. Shannon | Jun 30, 2022 | Burnout, Coaching, Thriving
Sometimes we just need to focus on finding a basecamp. Climbers whose goal is scaling Mount Everest first spend time in one of two basecamps. They don’t expect to hop from the foothills to the summit. They recognize that they will be healthier and have a been chance... 
by Diane W. Shannon | May 5, 2022 | Burnout
“Boundaries are for me too.” This statement represented a huge breakthrough for the physician I was coaching, a bright, accomplished subspecialist surgeon whose career was halted by exhaustion due to an untenable work situation exacerbated by the pandemic. Her words... 
by Diane W. Shannon | Apr 19, 2022 | Burnout, Podcast
I was so honored to be invited to a conversation recently with Master Certified Coach Jill Farmer on her podcast, DocWorking: The Whole Physician Podcast, which focuses on exploring ways to embrace life AND a medical career. Jill is a former TV anchor, and it shows;... 
by Diane W. Shannon | Apr 12, 2022 | Burnout, Thriving, Understanding Burnout
Sam and I, Falmouth, Winter 2022 Our profession often sends the message that we are invincible heroes. Here’s my vulnerable and honest admission: I lapped that up. There was something so seductive about denying pesky human requirements, like sleep, regular exercise,... 
by Diane W. Shannon | Mar 7, 2022 | Burnout, Thriving
Here’s what I wish I had thought when in training and practice: “Hey, wait a minute. Hold on here. I deserve a life!” I wish I had questioned whether all that self-sacrifice was necessary, healthy, and a good long-term strategy. Instead, I put my head down, pushed...