Career and Life Planning Guidebook for Medical Residents

What climate do you like? There is a big difference in the weather between Anchorage, Key West, Chicago, and Phoenix. Do you like the heat? Interested in shoveling snow? Do you have allergies? Staying away from indigenous plants that make your eyes water can have a profound effect on your well-being. How do you feel about rain? Las Vegas doesn’t get much, but Seattle gets a lot. How about travel? If youwill be traveling by airplane frequently, it will save you a fortune if you live near a hub city of a major airline. I live near a small airport. Every trip begins by flying to a hub city, which adds time and expense. Do you want to own a ranch, farm, or vineyard? There are many places where you can own large pieces of property, and others where that is not possible. As you can see, there is a lot that goes into deciding if a particular job is right for you. Did you notice that salary was not on the list? That is because you will likely make plenty of money wherever you go. These other factors are far more important than salary. By going through this process and picking out the most important factors, you will be able to weed out a lot of job postings that are not right for you. Don’t even look at those offers. If you can find a job in the perfect location, with theweather you like, and things to do that interest you nearby, you will have clear sailing with the wind at your back. If you can find your dream life the first time, you will save a lot of money, time, and heartache in the future. Many doctors feel it is their specialty that defines whether or not they have a good home life. This is not so. It is youwhowill define howgreat your home life is and how your job effects it. I was a general surgeon and had a good home life. I took about 12 weeks of vacation a year, coached soccer, led worship at church, raced bicycles with the kids and so much more. You define your job; do not let your job define you. R E A D : Avoid Lifestyle Creep; Don't Become A Slave To Your Possessions One of the worst things that can happen to new physicians is lifestyle creep. Everyone thinks physicians are rich (including physicians) so when they finally start earning the big bucks as a new attending, they think they can spend all their income. They increase their spending and raise their standard of living, and one day they find they can barely afford their lifestyle. Deep in debt and working extra shifts to make ends meet, they find their life has spiraled out of control and are unable to figure out how to dig themselves out of this miserable hole. Life, Money and Career Priorities 143 WWW.PHYSICIANCAREERPLANNING.COM