Swift Success: Pop-Inspired Wisdom for Early Career Physicians

Lessons Learned from Taylor Swift

I recently had the opportunity to go to a Taylor Swift show at Wembley Stadium. And while I was excited to see the woman, the myth, the legend, I probably only know about 10 songs (and could really sing only the chorus on most). However, surrounded by 88,000+ true fans and watching this show with then was amazing.. It was also a lesson in the beauty of empowerment. It was a room full of mostly women who all felt seen.

Ms. Swift reminded me of  everything I see in young academic physicians. She is smart and enthusiastic and does an incredible job of listening to and connecting with her audience.  She has been underestimated and taken advantage of by the system, but in the end, she is resilient, creative, and driven. And she can change an outfit in seconds like a doctor late for rounds or a family get-together!

I was most impressed with what a great storyteller she is, both regarding her song lyrics and the stories around her creative process. It reminds me of how we need to tell the story of our careers for promotion. 

I have used this technique for one of my most useful talks regarding how to build an evidence base for persistent pediatric OSA. In it, I take people through my journey of working in an area with little evidence and the questions and studies i carried out or learned from to move me towards bigger and better questions. While this story is specific to my journey, the framework I present could be used by anyone to build an evidence base for their area of interest. 

But back to Taylor. There were a couple songs that really hit me as I absorbed the artistry and the spectacle of the show and I think they may be useful in navigating an academic career. 

      1. “Shake it Off” may be some of her most useful advice for physicians.

In academic medicine, rejection is part of the process. Whether it's a manuscript, grant proposal, or presentation, many things will not be accepted. Heck, my advice gets rejected by patients during many clinic visits and consults. 

However, Taylor’s "Shake It Off" advice mirrors the “Be a Goldfish” mentality that I love from the show Ted Lasso. They both advice quickly moving past the negative and encourage resilience and learning.

I completely agree with the recommendation to use constructive feedback to improve, and don't let setbacks derail your enthusiasm or confidence. 

Tip: Create a "rejection résumé" to track setbacks and the lessons learned from each. This can help you maintain perspective and see your growth over time.

      2. Just as  "Long Live" and its call to celebrate your victories can build us up

In the whirlwind of life and work and academic pursuits, it's easy to overlook your achievements. 

Take a cue from "Long Live" and celebrate your successes, no matter how small.

 In fact, creating a daily practice of celebrating wins with your colleagues or family or even your journal can make for a happier life and a more positive mindset. 

These moments do not have to be big (although kudos to you if they are) but could be a comment from an appreciative patient, a successful patient outcome, positive student feedback, or a well-received presentation at a national meeting. 

Include things in your personal life also - my teenager talked to me for 5 minutes (ok it was 2 but without an eyeroll -  I am taking the win!) and I went for a walk and prioritized my health. 

Tip: Keep a "wins" journal or write it in the notes section of your phone. Regularly documenting your accomplishments can boost motivation during tough times. And makes for more fun meetings :)

      3. Approach new challenges with the confidence of "...Ready For It?" 

While we undergo years and years of training, we all find times when we are not fully confident that we are ready for the next step. 

It could be a new job, a new procedure, or just walking into a social gathering.   

One of the most important things that we can do is embrace discomfort. 

This sensation is typically ringing our spidey senses when there are new challenges and we have some doubts about our abilities, but DO NOT give in to your primitive brain.

While these sensations are meant to protect you from being eaten in the wild,dont let them hold you back from learning and trying new things . 

I have come to recognize this feeling as a sign that I am growing and while I cannot say I love the feeling, I more commonly jump to the positive excitement side of this emotion than the negative discomfort. And the more you frame it this way, the easier it is to rewire your brain to see the excitement side more clearly. 

So whether it's adopting a new research methodology, taking on a leadership role, or exploring an unfamiliar subspecialty, I recommend that you be open to growth opportunities and embrace the discomfort.

Tip: Develop a quick stress-relief routine, like paying close attention to your breathing or rubbing your fingers together and paying attention to the feel and sound of the moment. When used to high-stress moments, these grounding techniques, can help you overcome the discomfort and push through to the learning and growth.  

      4. Lastly. Swift's anthem "You Need To Calm Down" is a manifesto for self-worth 

Her message here is that your judges don’t necessarily understand your circumstances and that your worth isn't determined by the perceptions of others'.  It reminds me of the picture of the iceberg that is presented in every physician wellness talk about how we only see the small part above the surface but may miss the bigger, deeper context that lies underneath. 

This song is also a  great reminder to me that the real prize is taking the time to understand each other. Just as importantly, I also appreciate that it champions setting boundaries and not allowing others to affect your confidence or self-worth.  

At the beginning of my career (and honestly even today as i try to balance my clinical and administrative schedules) setting boundaries is a bear for me. While i am less likely to have guilt for not having patient availability, i still struggle with wanting to support my colleagues with my time as much as I can. At the same time, I want to be sure that i do not sacrifice my well being and the time i have fought to carve out with my family and loved ones. 

I also love the line that “snakes and stones never broke my bones". Who does not need a little reminder that Gossip or unfair criticisms, can sting, but they don't define you, your capabilities or your potential.

And while i do not want to get too deep into my newfound fandom, I love her commentary about not comparing yourself to others on the internet. They say that comparison is the thief of joy, especially in the age of social media. And i love the reminder that we need to focus on the gain - what we have accomplished since the last time we tried something - instead of the gap between where we are and where others are or the expert level of things.

Trick: Use the "energy audit" technique. Regularly assess which activities energize you and which drain you, both at work and in your personal life. Adjust your commitments accordingly.

I want to thank Taylor Swift for her Pop-Inspired Wisdom for Early Career Physicians and hope that you already adept at shaking it off, celebrating your victories, embracing discomfort and knowing your self-worth. 

As you navigate these early years of your career, Stand tall in your worth, and remember that you have earned your place here.

Don't worry about those who cannot yet understand your value and contribution. 

Your voice matters in medicine. Your journey is uniquely yours. The medical world needs your authentic, empowered self more than ever.

An incredibly large number of us have moved far, far other towards burnout than we ever thought we would. And so this is an opportunity to really give yourself a moment and think about how you're going to integrate it. And I recommend planning it.

Start your day. Put it in your calendar. Put it on your, you know, post-it note in your car, whatever you use.

But make sure that you give yourself the time, if it's not today, that it's intentional for the week so that you're really taking care of yourself in the long run. Navigating the early years and the late years of an academic career really requires a delicate balance of balancing your professional ambition and your personal well-being. And so while I may not have started off as a Taylor Swift fan, I can't help but admire the incredible grit and resilience of this woman.

If you are interested in someone to take you through the step by step process to build your successful academic career, please keep your eyes open for the academic accelerator course that will be launching this fall, but is not yet open. 

 It is designed to run you through a step-by-step plan to kick-start your career and put you on the path for quick promotion and success. We'll be covering things like envisioning and building your ideal career, being known for your niche, understanding finances, (both  work and home related), building your national reputation, creating your research plan, and crafting a step-by-step roadmap to expedite your path to promotion.

In the meantime, please Rate, Review and Follow the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on your favorite app (well Apple and Spotify since that is where we are right now!)

If you want to get in touch with me to share feedback or questions OR you are interested in a free checklist on how to optimize your time at national meetings to build your national reputation, please 

• DM me the word MEETING to @sishmancoach on instagram OR 
• Message me on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/company/medical-mentor-coaching OR 
• Email me at [email protected]
• Contact me on the website at www.medicalmentorcoaching.com