Career and Life Planning Guidebook for Medical Residents

R E A D : Begin with the End in Mind The second habit of Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is “Begin with the End in Mind.” According to Covey, this habit is based on imagination – the ability to envision in your mind what you cannot at present see with your eyes. “Begin with the End in Mind” is based on the prin- ciple that all things are created twice. First, there is a mental creation, and second, a physical creation. The physical creation follows the mental, just as a building follows a blueprint. If you don’t make a conscious effort to visualize who you are andwhat youwant in life, thenyou empower other people and circumstances to shape you and your life by default. It’s about connecting again with your own uniqueness and then defining the personal, moral, and ethical guidelines within which you can most happily express and fulfill yourself (1) . So, what should be your end goal when interviewing with a potential employer? Following Covey’s rule, the goal of the inter- view is to get a job offer. You cannot accept or decline an opportunity unless you receive an offer. Often, when traveling to the onsite interview, it’s common for candidates to ask themselves: Is this the right practice opportunity for me? Will I receive a competitive offer? Will I be able to spend time on the things I enjoy most? Will I (and my family) be happy being part of this community? SECTION II: T MINUS TWO YEARS CAREER AND LIFE PLANNING GUIDEBOOK FOR MEDICAL RESIDENTS 244