I hit rock bottom in 2022 when my lift crashed, crushing my leg bone. Fear gripped me during those days. Have you ever felt fear so overwhelming that it paralyzed your thoughts?
I felt this often early in my career.
Sometimes, it was the fear of failure.
Other times, the uncertainty of tomorrow.
And always, the haunting “What ifs”:
What if something goes wrong?
What if I make a mistake?
What if I’m not good enough?
As a surgeon, these fears hit hard because my work is high-stakes.
Over time, I’ve learned that fear doesn’t disappear—it lingers, especially when we’re stepping into the unknown. Like excess weight, it doesn’t vanish overnight.
The key is learning to manage it.
For me, that meant reading, seeking mentors, and learning from experienced colleagues. One principle that’s helped me is focusing on the present moment.
When worst-case scenarios flood my mind, I ground myself in the “now.” This shift creates space to think clearly and act with confidence.
I won’t lie—staying present isn’t easy. But it’s essential.
So, how do you deal with fear?
What keeps you moving forward?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s talk about it.