The Version of You That Leaves on Time Already Exists

Many physicians are experiencing a similar scenario. The last patient just walked out the door, and finally you get to sit down to tackle the mound of work you accumulated – just for that day. The unfinished charts, the inbox tasks, the phone calls – all spilling into your evenings and weekends. Feeling behind feels awful; not to mention the physical and mental exhaustion, along with resentment you are experiencing. Imagine you are leaving work on time and not bringing any work home – consistently. It is not a fantasy. That version of you already exists – you just have not stepped into it yet.

Many physicians assume that the way they are working, the life they are leading is a reflection of just how medicine is. Or there is the belief that “I am not efficient enough”. Or “It is out of my control”. When you fall into the trap of believing that your current reality is fixed, you stop exploring and imagining alternatives. The result is that you are living your belief of “that’s how medicine is”. Your current experience is just one version of you. It is not the final version.

Allow yourself to imagine more. Expand your reality by dreaming of possibilities. What if you were not confined by what you think is realistic? It is okay to imagine a version of your life that feels easier, lighter and more sustainable. As my mentor always says, there is no imagination police. We have control of what we think and what we choose to believe. Yes, you do not have the evidence that you can achieve your dream life – yet. You need willingness to explore what is possible.

Imagine a version of you who leaves on time consistently. Your schedule is the same. The circumstances have not changed, yet you are leaving on time, instead of staying late or bringing work home to catch up in the evenings or on the weekends. You finish seeing your last patient and you are actually done within half an hour. You walk out on time, without any lingering dread. Resist thinking about how you are making that happen just yet. What does that version of you look like? How do they carry themselves? What do they think about their workday?

How does that version of you feel? Again, put the logistics aside for now. Some examples of the emotions you may feel: capable, accomplished, in control, at peace. You feel present while seeing patients and also present outside of work. What does it feel like to go home on time consistently? What emotions come up? What do you get to do if you have those extra hours back? These emotions do not have to be reserved for the future. You get to access them now.

Instead of waiting to feel better after you leave on time, start generating those emotions before the result exists. This is an important exercise because your actions are driven by how you feel, and your actions determine the results you get. I invite you to start daily with brief moments of connecting with that future identity, and let those feelings guide your day.

If you were already someone who leaves on time, how would you approach your day? What would you think about your work? Are you thinking it as a heavy burden or are you thinking that you are in control and you can handle things well? What would feel non-negotiable? For example, bringing work home after 6 pm is non-negotiable and you would not allow that to happen. Carve your perspective before tackling strategy. You are not trying to “fix” yourself. You are stepping into a different version of yourself.

Visualization may feel hard, especially when you are used to who you are right now. Looking at your future self may feel unrealistic or even uncomfortable at first. It is normal to have some degree of resistance and that is alright. Visualization is a skill, one you can learn and become better at. The more you practice believing, the easier it becomes. Clarity and belief grow with repetition, not before it.

The common misconception is that you need to have full confidence to begin. You do not. Even 10-20% belief is enough to start. You will not have 100% belief until you have created that result.

Start showing up as that version of you, the version you desire – imperfectly. It may not work right away. Some days will feel messy. Some days you want to abandon ship. Remind yourself why you are doing it, what goal you want to achieve. Keep trying. Keep adjusting. Stay in the process.

Connect belief and results. The more you believe, the more aligned your actions become. The trajectory over time will be very different. Small shifts compound over time. You are moving toward consistently leaving work on time.

The version of you who leaves on time is not imaginary – it already exists. You just have to connect with that version of you in the present. You are not creating someone new. You are uncovering what is already possible. Start where you are. Use the belief you have. Keep stepping into that version of you. The more you visualize that desired future you, the easier it is to believe that it is possible. That leads to more encouraging and empowering emotions you can utilize to take the actions you need to leave work on time.