THE BEST WAY TO PREDICT YOUR FUTURE IS TO CREATE IT
A New Quarter Offers A New Opportunity
As we enter a new quarter, it’s natural to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re headed. For many of us in medicine, this reflection often comes with mixed emotions. The healthcare landscape is shifting rapidly, and the challenges we face—corporate consolidation, regulatory pressures, and administrative burdens—can feel overwhelming. But as I think about what lies ahead, I’m reminded of the timeless adage: "The best way to predict your future is to create it."
This sentiment resonates deeply with me as a physician. Too often, we feel like passengers on a runaway train, reacting to changes in the system rather than steering our own course. But what if we paused, took a step back, and asked ourselves: What kind of future do I want for my practice? For my patients? For myself?
The truth is, we have more power than we realize to shape that future.
It starts with a mindset shift—from one of survival to one of creation.
We don’t have to accept the status quo. We can design practices that align with our values, reconnect us with our purpose, and deliver the kind of care that drew us to medicine in the first place.
Reclaiming Autonomy Through Action
Creating your future doesn’t require a monumental leap all at once. It begins with small but deliberate steps—steps that move you closer to the practice and life you envision. Here are some ideas to inspire you as this new quarter begins:
Revisit Your "Why": Take time to reflect on why you chose medicine in the first place. What drives you? What aspects of your work bring you joy? Use these reflections as your compass for making decisions about your practice.
Identify What’s Holding You Back: Pinpoint the specific barriers that are draining your energy or limiting your autonomy. Is it bureaucracy? Burnout? Financial pressures? Clarity is the first step toward change.
Envision Your Ideal Practice: Picture what your day-to-day would look like in an ideal world. How would you interact with patients? What would your schedule look like? What kind of impact would you have? Write it down—it’s easier to work toward something when you can see it clearly.
Take One Small Step: Change doesn’t happen overnight, but every journey begins with a single step. Whether it’s carving out more time for patient care, exploring alternative practice models like direct care, or simply saying "no" to one unnecessary administrative task this week—start somewhere.
Empower Your Patients: One of the most rewarding ways to reclaim purpose in medicine is by empowering patients to take charge of their health. Educate them about preventive care, involve them in shared decision-making, and foster relationships built on trust and collaboration.
A New Quarter, A New Opportunity
This next quarter is a blank slate—a chance to realign with your purpose and take meaningful steps toward creating the future you want for yourself and your practice. It’s not about perfection or immediate transformation; it’s about progress and intention.
The healthcare system may be complex and imperfect, but within it lies immense opportunity for innovation and reinvention. By taking ownership of our role as physicians—not just as caregivers but as creators—we can build practices that are not only sustainable but deeply fulfilling.
Let’s Build the Future Together
There’s a growing community of colleagues who are proving every day that it’s possible to create meaningful change in how we practice medicine. Whether through independent practices, direct care models, or simply redefining how they engage with patients, these physicians are shaping a new future for healthcare—one rooted in autonomy, purpose, and connection.
So I ask you: What kind of future will you create this quarter?
