Reconnecting with your purpose

“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.”

─ Vicktor Frankl

Purpose plays a significant role in resilience, self-improvement, and personal well-being. Purpose alone cannot eliminate systemic challenges that lead to burnout, such as excessive workload or administrative burdens. However, reconnecting with the motivations that made you want to become a dermatologist in the first place — with your purpose — can help protect you from burnout.

Reflect on your why

Why did you become a dermatologist in the first place? You did not pursue an easy path. There were hurdles along the way, but you overcame them. Today, there are new challenges, which can obscure the larger picture. Reconnecting with your original reasons for choosing dermatology can reignite your sense of purpose and remind you that you still have what it takes to push through today’s perhaps more complex challenges.

Focus on the positive

“Not every day is good; but there is good in every day.” This simple, shift in mindset can help you remember the fulfilling and positive aspects of being a dermatologist. Here are a few to consider:

• You are making a difference in the lives of patients.

• Dermatology is a stable and in-demand medical specialty.

• You get to treat a wide-range of skin conditions keeping the job interesting.

• Dermatologists typically have more flexible schedules than many other physicians, allowing better work-life balance.

• There is high earning potential, especially with the addition of cosmetics.

• Dermatology is one of the most innovative specialties, using technological and pharmaceutical advances to improve patients’ lives.

Practice the art of letting go

Choose your battles. Not every fight is worth fighting. Practicing medicine is hard work and inevitably things will go wrong. Worry about what is in your control and where you have maximum impact. While you do not have control over federal and local regulations, insurance requirements, drug prices, and other system demands, you still control patient care. Remember, choosing your battles does not mean avoiding conflict; it means being deliberate and strategic about how you invest your time and energy.

Champion your own cause

Start advocating for that which you need to serve your patients the way you know is best. This means speaking up when the system is not supporting your practice, or when you feel overburdened, or when you see your team losing morale. As a dermatologist, you do what is right by your patient and serve as their advocate. Don’t forget to do the same for yourself and your team! When necessary, be a role model for shared responsibility over shared helplessness. Be sure to champion advocacy and outreach initiatives, too.¹

Continue to learn

Dermatology is exciting because it’s always evolving, with changing data, research, processes, and technologies. Dermatologists who stay updated on the latest advancements and integrate innovative treatments into their practice can feel a renewed sense of excitement and purpose. In order to evolve, you have to remain curious, be willing to embrace challenges, seek feedback, be nimble enough to bounce back from setbacks, build your network, and develop leadership skills.

Make connections

Establishing connections in the dermatology community can rejuvenate your sense of purpose. Attend professional conferences, join local medical societies, or participate in online forums. Interacting with colleagues enables the exchange of experiences, knowledge sharing, and contributions to collective wisdom. This feeling of camaraderie and teamwork serves as a reminder of the wider significance of your profession, motivating you to persist in your efforts to impact the field of dermatology positively.

Engage in mentorship

Mentoring aspiring dermatologists or guiding colleagues can renew your sense of purpose. Sharing your knowledge and experience not only helps others grow but also reminds you of the impact you can have on the future of dermatology. Mentoring fosters a sense of responsibility and fulfillment, reinforcing your passion for the field and reminding you of the valuable legacy you can leave behind.

Reconnecting with your purpose can provide a guiding light in challenging times, providing motivation to endure and find solutions despite uncontrollable circumstances. It strengthens resilience, enabling you to view challenges as opportunities for growth and learning rather than insurmountable obstacles. With a clear purpose, you can maintain focus, motivation, and a positive outlook, empowering you to navigate difficulties with resolve and adaptability.

1 Krasner MS, et al. JAMA 2009.;Grimes PE, et al. Int J of Womens Derm 2019.

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