How Physicians Pivot: Listening to Your Heart in Transition

How I Left TPMG: A Physician Career Pivot Story

How did I know it was time to make a change?
How did I leave my medical practice?
How was I able to leave golden handcuffs?

I get asked these these questions all the time.

Leaving the safety and security of my pediatric practice—especially TPMG—was, for me, the much harder choice than staying.

It took immense courage. And then some.

Life has a way of adding plot twists you didn’t request.

It’s hard to leave something good

It is hard to choose to leave something you are good at…

something that helps people who need help…

something that makes the world better…

and something you actually like.

It feels especially hard when those you help are children—and when you care deeply about your colleagues and community.

And still…

There is also a cost to staying. A cost we often don’t consider until we feel it in our bodies.

The question that clarified everything

What will the world miss out on if you don’t follow your heart and allow yourself to grow?

You only get one wild and precious life. There are many ways to make meaningful contributions.

When you step into your own lane—when you listen to your heart and do what makes you come alive—you often discover:

new ways to serve
new ways to contribute
new things you are good at
new people who need your help

Sometimes that contribution happens outside the exam room. Sometimes it happens outside the institution of medicine. And it still matters.

I didn’t “leave medicine.” I followed my heart.

I had planned to keep doing some pediatrics—just in case I missed it.

Life changed those plans. And I learned another useful question:

What if it turns out better than you expect?

The paradigm that you have to either stay in medicine or leave medicine causes physicians a lot of pain.

One is not better than the other.

We are all on our own path to different dreams at different times.

Wherever you go, you bring your doctoring skills and wisdom with you.

It won’t be practicing medicine in the traditional sense, but you cannot unbecome a healer.

You cannot unsee what you’ve seen.

You continue contributing to health in a positive way wherever you go.

How did I pivot out of medicine?

I trusted myself, listened to my heart, and had my own back.

I also set myself up for success by practicing mindfulness and yoga… and getting coached—before, during, and ongoing.

I reached out for support as an act of kindness to myself. As deep listening. As wise scaffolding for a big change.

Showing up with grace and compassion—and a little humor—for yourself and the process is also key.

Even with all my breathing, yoga, mindfulness, and relaxing in… it was still a bumpy and wobbly transition.

Transitions are supposed to wobble

How you handle the the bumps and the wobbles—is key to your success. And relaxing in always helps.

If you are struggling with needing a change, reach out.

Helping you navigate the choppy waters, remain as buoyant as possible, and make changes more easefully is exactly what I help people do.

If you want structured support for a pivot season, start check out 1:! coaching or Transition Well.

Why coaching support matters in transitions: A client reflection

“Working with Jessie during this time has probably been one of the best decisions I’ve made professionally. I knew I needed it… and it has been well worth it.”