Creating More Joy At Work As Physicians

Most physician colleagues I talk to feel miserable about their work situation. They feel stuck and lack of autonomy from insurance companies and administration. Many physicians feel they did not sign up for what they are experiencing now.

I was certainly one of those physicians, yet I was trying to find different ways to have more joy at work. It is a gradual process. If you believe you can have more joy at work, you will find it.

“Life is too short to hate your job,” quoting Dr. Rachel Rubin who shared with us in a recent in-person retreat. It is true. As physicians, we spend most of our time working, so why should we torture ourselves to be in misery for the majority of our lifetime? Do miserable physicians provide the best care for patients?

Your job does not have to equate with suffering. When you are looking for a job, or when you are creating your own business, do you factor in the joy or fulfillment you will have? If not, I invite you to do it. It is possible to have more joy at work. Even if you are signing up for the job “only for the money”, it is still possible to find joy in what you do. Of course, the option of leaving your current job and finding  another job which may be satisfying and fulfilling is always available.

Plan for having joy at work. Isn’t it more pleasant to do something with satisfaction, content or gratitude rather than experiencing dread, dissatisfaction or dislike? Although it is impossible to experience joy 100% of the time, it is possible to increase its presence in your life and in your work-life.

Be curious in finding what brings you joy at work. Are there moments in joy you experience? Is it possible to expand those moments at work?

Rewrite and redefine your work day. It is okay to have joy at work. You may have a question about what joy means. I think it means something different yet similar for each individual. I think joy is a deeper sense of fulfillment than happiness. Joy is where you want to be emotionally. Joy is what feels right. Joy is when you believe things are happening in alignment with your values. Joy is when you get to serve others the best way you can. If the biggest joy stealer is the number of hours you are working, is it possible to cut down the number of hours you work?

As a physician, especially in clinical medicine, you are a leader. You are a leader for your patients. You are a leader for your staff. Be the leader who brings joy to the workplace. You get to decide to bring joy to work. You get to decide to focus on the pleasant aspects of your job.

You also get to bring out the best in the people you work with. Focus on their strengths. Focus on what they do to improve the work environment. Think about what you or your team can do to infuse more joy during the work hours.

The human connection is a major part of patient care. The connection between physicians and their patients. The connection between physicians and their staff members. Establish meaningful connections with them. This does not mean spending hours on end with each person. It is the quality of the connection that matters. Treat them like human beings. Care about them and show them your love. Love is an important ingredient to create joy.

Always smile. Think of something that makes you happy. A smile may be the starter fluid for creating joy. When you smile, it is easier to come up with things which can bring you joy. When you smile, other people will also experience that aura of peace and being noticed in a positive way.

No matter how tough the work situation is, as an individual, there is always something you can do to create more joy at work. I invite you to explore that possibility before jumping to the conclusion that quitting your job is the immediate solution.