You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are today.
The courses, the papers, the exams… all the hoops you jumped through to become a professional.
Do you even remember what made you excited to pursue this work in the first place?
What about the other aspects of your life: your family, your outside interests, your health… how are they doing right now? And when was the last time you did something just FOR YOU?
Are you leading your ideal life, one of internal motivation? Or do you find yourself on the hedonic treadmill of achievement?
As a former engineer and a practicing physician, I know what it’s like to lose yourself in your work.
To forget self-care.
I learned the hard way
I started med school with the same vigor and excitement as anyone. The novelty and responsibility of internship intoxicated me, and I was elected Intern of the Year. I started residency in Anesthesiology with the intent to be chosen as Chief Resident and earn a highly-coveted spot in a competitive fellowship.
But during my attempts to be all the things to all the people, I burned out. Or so I thought… I had all the signs and symptoms. But I had something else going on, something that I failed to recognize for months.
I was going blind.
Amongst all the nonspecific symptoms of burnout, depression, and stress-induced hormonal imbalance, I had developed a full-blown brain tumor… growing around and compressing my optic nerve. I was too busy to get the MRI!
Through major surgery, a long recovery, and a multi-year infertility journey, I figured out what I REALLY valued. With the help of research, coaching, and lots of self-reflection, I now know how to say no to the things that don’t align with my values. I’m practicing medicine on my own terms.
You don’t have to experience a health scare like I did to wake up and realize you’ve lost yourself.
Schedule a call
Ever since this life-changing experience, I’ve been sharing all that I’ve learned about stress management and self-care through writing, speaking, and coaching.
The most important thing I’ve realized? Achieving balance and staying healthy is a highly individual practice.
- Maybe you feel like you’re constantly striving and not thriving.
- Maybe you’ve lost the joy for your work AND your life in the midst of trying to do more/be more/accomplish more.
- Maybe you’ve developed habits that don’t align with your values. Wait… what are your true values again, anyway?
If you want more information on coaching, take a look at the posts I’ve written here and here.
Nowadays, there are lots of coaches out there for every type of professional in any specific niche.
Why choose me?
I’ve traveled the same journey you’re on now.
I offer individualized, 1:1 coaching to help you find (or rediscover) your authentic self, so you can figure out your own version of balance. It’s not about achieving goals; it’s about changing your mindset and moving toward your ideal life. Using well-studied self-knowledge and mindfulness techniques, you’ll get practical tools specific to you, on your timetable.
NEW: I’ve partnered with the Learner+, a platform where clinicians earn CME credits for reflecting on daily learning experiences. Ask me about earning CME when you schedule a call.
My clients experience work-life balance transformations that are right for them.
✨Arti went from unfulfilled in her private practice to reconnecting with her values of legacy and roots as a research physician.
My work transition [to an academic practice] has gone smoother than expected. It’s been reassuring to prove to myself that I can do hard things.
Arti, Pain Medicine physician
✨Hillary went from a low-energy state with new medical diagnoses of stress-induced problems to a complete energy turnaround after curating her job duties and reigniting her self-care passions.
I actually exercised before a work shift the other day! I never would have had the energy to do that before. I know now that because I spent the time to take care of ME, I’m able to take care of others.
Hillary, Pediatric Intensivist
✨Rachel went from staring down the barrel of burnout and resentment for that last add-on patient each workday to excited for the challenge of a day in the OR… while at the same time feeling more present with her family when home.
I thought there would be more blowback when I finally asked for the work schedule I wanted. Coaching has allowed me to feel more confident and less affected by Impostor Syndrome. Very grateful to have clarified what was important to me and what I wanted out of my career (and life).
Rachel, Anesthesiologist
✨Kim went from operating in a state of time scarcity to an attitude of abundance and a mindful appreciation for the newfound free time in her schedule.
I was able to be there when my son got on the bus. I stood there with immense gratitude, noticing the clouds and the daffodils in my front yard. I was struck by noticing things around me I hadn’t noticed before.
Kim, Anesthesiologist
More Words of Support
Dr. Baker is a phenomenal coach. I am indebted to her and the exceptionally personalized, thoughtful attention and focus she gave me. The coaching she provided empowered me to navigate the most difficult professional and personal challenges I have encountered to date. I am so grateful to have met zher and for the time and energy she devoted to coaching me. – Sarah, Radiologist
Coaching [with Dawn] helped me to gain perspective and make major career and life decisions, ones that moved me away from that “expected” career path and into a path that meshes with my values and overall goals. These changes have allowed for more family time and energy for other activities while I am back to loving my job! – Hayley, Ophthalmologist
I credit Dawn’s sessions to helping me reconnect with myself and my priorities during a time when I felt overwhelmed and lost in burn out. She is easy to talk to, affirming, honest and an excellent listener. Highly recommend! – Tracey, Family Medicine Physician
I’ve been able to start to regain a sense of control in my life, and I continue to use the techniques we discussed to explore ways to discover a more fulfilling life. Dawn provided the support I needed to take the leap and gave me hope that better times are ahead — I’m already seeing it! – Kim, Anesthesiologist
Coaching sessions with Dawn Baker were enormously important for me to take my life and career back into my own control. I was on a career path that kept moving forward in great ways (leadership, more responsibility) but the path didn’t seem to mesh with my family life or time for myself. I was feeling overwhelmed and lost. Coaching helped me to gain perspective and make major career and life decisions, ones that moved me away from that “expected” career path and into a path that meshes with my values and overall goals. These changes have allowed for more family time and energy for other activities while I am back to loving my job! Working with Dawn, I was able to filter out the external factors to which I had always listened but which had steered me into more stress than necessary (I couldn’t see this without the coaching– I just thought I wasn’t able to “cut it”). It’s still a work in progress, but I am seeing the effects! I feel more centered around my values and am able to build my life with more tools. – Hillary, Intensivist
If this gentle, individual approach appeals to you, you can book a FREE consultation HERE.