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Pump the brakes on your week and take 10 minutes to make your life as a surgeon just a little better…

Jeff welcomes to the podcast Professional Certified Coach, Lynn Bagdasian.

Practicing gratitude can make life so much better. There’s so much chaos and stress in the world around us as physicians. Implementing a gratitude practice into our daily lives releases dopamine and can reduce stress.

When we express gratitude as a habit, we transform everyday routines into rituals. Think about something you do every day, like washing your hands, brushing your teeth, or making coffee. We do these so often that they become routine. But if we incorporate a gratitude practice into those behaviors, they become mindfulness rituals.

What steps does Lynn suggest we take to create a daily gratitude ritual?

• Step 1 - Think of 3 things that you’re grateful for. It doesn’t have to be big things, it can be simple things like running water, or sharing a conversation with your kids.
• Step 2 - Think of a routine habit that you do every day (ex. brushing your teeth or washing your hands).
• Step 3 - Incorporate the three things that you’re grateful for into these three routine daily tasks to form a mindfulness gratitude ritual.

Most importantly, PRACTICE a gratitude ritual for well-being!

BIO:

Lynn Bagdasian is the founder of Lynn Bagdasian Life Coaching, LLC, where she specializes in empowering clients to gain insight & clarity and reach their full potential. She earned her Certified Professional Coach (CPC) credential through the Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) and holds a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) accreditation with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Lynn holds a certification as a Grief Educator from David Kessler+grief.com, and is an iPEC Energy Leadership Master Practitioner.

Lynn serves as a volunteer, training and mentoring Tanzanian Coaches to support the next generation of East African women leaders.

When she's not coaching clients, leading workshops in her community or volunteering, Lynn enjoys spending time with her family & friends, meeting new people and traveling around the world. She is happiest when she is helping others create the life of their dreams.

SurgeonMasters is a physician peer community dedicated to improving the personal and professional well-being of physicians.

Join your colleagues online at SurgeonMasters.com for events, resources, and more.

PRACTICE Your Best!

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Pump the brakes on your week and take 10 minutes to make your life as a surgeon just a little better…

Jeff welcomes to the podcast board-certified psychiatrist and performance coach, Ryan Davis, MD.

Ryan works with elite athletes and high-level professionals - most of whom are type A go-getters. While it’s a personality type that can take you far, it doesn’t always lead to a balanced life. Life balance is a bit of a cliche - it’s something we talk about a lot, but not attainable for many of us, and not one we strive to achieve.

One way to think about balancing priorities is like a tripod made up of three key components: self-care, career, and relationships. While these components may differ from person to person, they often represent the pillars of a fulfilling life. As a thought experiment, imagine forming a tripod with your thumb, index finger, and middle finger, connected by a rubber band. When you pull on one finger—putting more time and energy into that area—you increase the tension on the others. This simple exercise illustrates how shifting focus in one part of life can create strain in the others.

There will always be a give and take among our big three components. When we become unaware and the balance is disrupted, it can lead to burnout.

What steps does Ryan suggest we take to bring awareness to our work-life balance?

• Step 1 - Remember, we only have 100% to give. It’s important to realize that we only have so much to give.
• Step 2 - Consider what your “components” are. You don't need to limit yourself to just three; instead, make a list of your top 3-5 areas where you want to spend your time.
• Step 3 - Consider how you want to divide your 100%. How much do you want to allocate to your career, family, self-care, etc.?

Most importantly, PRACTICE your life balancing act!

BIO

Dr. Davis is a Harvard-trained, board-certified psychiatrist with advanced performance coach training. While not at the office Dr. Davis is a 3-time marathon runner, die-hard University of Michigan and Detroit sports enthusiast, and most importantly, an obsessed golfer.

Dr. Davis helps his clients gain insight into their psyche as it relates to their sport and personal life. Dr. Davis’ background allows him to offer unique mental coaching, creating resilient and driven athletes who live more purposeful lives. Dr. Davis provides performance coaching for elite athletes, teams, as well as business executives.

SurgeonMasters is a physician peer community dedicated to improving the personal and professional well-being of physicians.

Join your colleagues online at SurgeonMasters.com for events, resources, and more.

PRACTICE Your Best!

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Pump the brakes on your week and take 10 minutes to make your life as a surgeon just a little better…

Jeff welcomes ENT surgeon and professional coach Dr. Mel Thacker to the podcast.

There’s a fallacy among physicians that we have to show up in the clinic as the all-knowing ego in the white coat who has all the answers. But when we approach treatment this way, it actually disconnects us from our patients.

We need to learn how to step out of the hero identity because when we define ourselves as heroes, our patients often become victims. When we approach patient care humbly without the mindset that we’re “better” than our patients, it can create much better outcomes.

Instead of disempowering the patient, we lay out the situation as it currently stands and explain the options available. This invites the patient to become the creator of their own lives by giving them their power back.

What steps does Mel suggest we do to shift our mindset?

• Step 1 - Anytime you are feeling like a victim and you want to blame someone or something, ask yourself what you can create from this.
• Step 2 - Recognize when you see your patients inviting you into a collaboration of care.
• Step 3 - Try to move yourself out of the “hero” mindset and into a “coaching” mindset.

Most importantly, PRACTICE shifting your mindset from hero to coach!

BIO

Mel Thacker, MD, PCC, DipABLM, is a fellowship-trained rhinologist/otolaryngologist, professional certified coach, and lifestyle medicine specialist.

In December 2024, she left her successful surgical career to focus exclusively on coaching surgeons. Her mission is to help them reclaim purpose, clarity, and control in their lives.

She is also the host of the groundbreaking podcast, Surgeons with Purpose, and the Founder of Empowered Surgeons Group, a program that will teach you everything you didn't learn in surgical training.

Follow her on Instagram here
Connect on LinkedIn here

SurgeonMasters is a physician peer community dedicated to improving the personal and professional well-being of physicians.

Join your colleagues online at SurgeonMasters.com for events, resources, and more.

PRACTICE Your Best!