I’ve been getting to know a doctor at the gym. We met in the sauna (fully clothed), and I was impressed that he was dual trained in Neurology and Psychiatry.
His field of expertise fascinated me, and from our discussions I could tell that he is brilliant at what he does. Not wanting just to milk him for free advice, I thought about setting up an appointment with him and checked to see if he was in my network.
After our initial few conversations, the topic shifted to the ins and out of being a doctor. Suffice to say; I don’t think he loves his job. He can talk endlessly about how expensive malpractice insurance is and how health insurance providers are a nightmare to work with and how hard it is to eke out a living. He also talked about how hard it was to find patients because there were too many doctors in the area.
I wanted to talk about the advancements in brain imaging and how it is changing lives. Or a few methods or practices that anyone can do that can have a significant impact on their well being. Or about a person who responded well to his treatment, which is now living a successful life. But there were none of these conversations.
Then one day in the locker room, the ax fell, and now I can’t look at him in the eye. Part of his post showering routine involves drying his crotch with the blow dryer the facility provides. And it’s not just a one-time thing; he does it every time I have seen him there.
I have several recommendations for this doctor, the first being ceasing from this bizarre behavior. I am posting these here as I am currently unable to maintain a conversation with the man and the ideas can apply to anyone.
- What did you dream about when you got into your profession? For a doctor, did you dream about saving people’s lives? As a salesperson, was it to travel around and interact with interesting people? For the pastor, was its multitudes of people fawning at your feet, blown away by your incredible teachings?
- Think about the people you have been able to help. What were lives like before you helped them, and how have they transformed? Who are your customers becoming? How are the lives of those you work with change because of your efforts?
- Keep these stories top of mind and remind yourself of them when you are stuck in the drudgery of your work. Tell people some of these stories. Talk to people in your family and at the gym about how you changed someone’s life recently.