I knew that I wanted to be a doctor. I also knew that applying to and securing a spot in a medical school class would be exceedingly difficult. Furthermore, I understood that medical school itself would not be a piece of cake. I knew that my medical school education would require long hours of arduous studying to understand a multitude of challenging concepts and memorize countless anatomical, physiological, and pathological details. Moreover, I also appreciated that the clinical training and the practice of medicine would often be mentally and physically taxing.
However, I knew that I wanted to become a doctor because I was fascinated by the complexities of the human body and wanted to learn as much about it as possible. I also wanted to help people. I wanted to use my knowledge to help heal the sick and ease their suffering. It was the perfect combination for me, and I was in love with these ideas. It was who I was. It was my identity.
These were my reasons for wanting to endure the requirements that this journey would require. They were my “why,” and they were powerful. My “why” propelled me through the rigors of medical school, residency training, and finally, years as an attending physician. If I had not had a compelling “why,” there would have been no reason for me to take the first step. And if I did decide to move forward without a strong “why,” I would have quit years ago.
This advice is not only for aspiring physicians. For any considerable task you wish to undertake or substantial goal you desire to achieve, you must have a compelling reason to do so. Before moving forward, always ask yourself, “Why?”
Photo credit: Ann H/pexels.com
Embrace your best self: