- 📝 Doctor Kenji's Notes
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- How I Made the Biggest Decision of My Life 🩺
Hey guys! I hope you've had a fantastic week. As some of you may be aware, the deadline for applying to medical specialty training has recently passed. I'll be sharing my decision on whether or not I'll be pursuing specialty training in the next video, so stay tuned for that.
In this newsletter, I want to discuss how I arrived at my final and rather challenging decision. Firstly, it's crucial never to take advice from individuals who aren't in a position you aspire to be in. Throughout this process, I received advice from various sources—consultants, friends, and family. However, it's essential to identify those who are in a similar position to your desired future and seek advice from them exclusively.
Secondly, the best way to make a wrong decision is by asking everyones advice. With so many voices offering advice, it becomes tempting to gather as many opinions as possible. However, in moments of difficult decision-making, it's vital to listen to the voice in your own head and not let other opinions overshadow your own. Trust yourself—you know more than you think.
Thirdly, bear in mind that everyone is biased. Take advice with a pinch of salt, considering that individuals may have their own intentions and biases shaped by their unique life experiences. While someone may be in a position you aspire to, remember they too have their own baggage.
A difficult aspect to acknowledge is that not everyone may have your best interests at heart. Some individuals may provide advice for their benefit, so it's crucial to be aware of this, especially when making significant decisions.
Lastly, understand that no matter the decision, there will always be some level of regret. Whether choosing to enter specialty training, leave medicine, or take time off, regrets are inevitable. This realization can be somewhat dark, but it also relieves the pressure of making a perfect decision. Embrace the fact that various aspects of your personality may want different things, and it's impossible to please every part of yourself. Opt for the decision that brings you the most peace, knowing that regrets are a natural part of life.
I hope this advice proves valuable in your upcoming decisions. Stay tuned for the next video—it's going to be a big one! Wishing you all a fantastic week ahead.
Kenji.
👍🏾 Things I’ve enjoyed this week
Macwhisper 2 (Mac app) - This entire newsletter was written by this app. It's powered by ChatGPT and very accurately transcribes your voice into text and is almost 95% accurate in my experience. Game changer!
OBGYN (medical specialty) - I started a new rotation in obs and gynae last week and just like in medical school I've been loving it so far. I got to assist in a c-section and learned so much about antenatal and postnatal care. Very excited for the next four months!
Commando, Britain’s Ocean Warriors (Netflix Show) - This is a great show that takes you through the training of what it takes to become a commando. I highly recommend it.
This Year (Blessings) - Remix (song) - I loved the original of this song and the remix is just as good.
📹 The latest video in case you missed it:
📚 Highlight of the week
What Do You Want? - Calvin Rosser calvinrosser.com
The downsides of my path would make many people miserable. I know this because I tried to live this same way in my mid-twenties and ended up anxious and unhappy. I learned the hard way that my need for financial stability at that time was more important than my desire to have an empty calendar. I took the loss and returned to full-time work six months later. The truth is that no path has it all, and everything worth having comes with a cost. Time freedom requires uncertainty. Entrepreneurship requires risk. Marriage requires tough conversations. When making big life decisions like where to live, what to do for work, and who to spend your life with, you need to understand the trade that you’re making with each path.
"Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives. Such striving may seem admirable, but it is the way of foolishness. Help them instead to find the wonder and the marvel of an ordinary life. Show them the joy of tasting tomatoes, apples and pears. Show them how to cry when pets and people die. Show them the infinite pleasure in the touch of a hand. And make the ordinary come alive for them. The extraordinary will take care of itself."
What you refer to as your "life" should more accurately be called your "life situation." It is psychological time: past and future. Certain things in the past didn't go the way you wanted them to go. You are still resisting what happened in the past, and now you are resisting what is. Hope is what keeps you going, but hope keeps you focused on the future, and this continued focus perpetuates your denial of the Now and therefore your unhappiness.
Resurfaced to me by Readwise
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Want to learn more from me? Check these out👇
🩺 (Free) How to Get into Medical School - From Application to Doctor: https://skl.sh/2TwpH0N
👨🏼💻 An Essay Writing Masterclass - The Best Essay Writing Technique: https://courses.kenjitomita.co.uk
🏥 My Online Medicine Interview Course: https://courses.kenjitomita.co.uk
📑 Study notes, my university personal statements, dissertation and more:https://www.kenjitomita.co.uk/shop
🛠 My favourite tools 🔨
📚 Listen to my favourite book of all time (or any other) free on Audible
🥼 My daily hospital scrubs: HappyThreads
🎒 My everyday and travel bag from Menos (use KENJI10 for 10% off)
📝 My favourite iPad screen protector: Paperlike