The Everyday Path to Reinvention

The other day, during a yoga video, the instructor shared a story about a man who despite being older and out of shape, decided to transform his life. He trained for a triathlon, even leaving his job to pursue this goal full-time. In the end, he succeeded. It was an inspiring story full of determination, transformation, and triumph. But instead of feeling motivated, I felt a sense of sadness. Stories like these can make reinvention feel unattainable like it requires a dramatic, all-or-nothing leap. 

For physicians who feel stuck, this mindset can be paralyzing. It creates the illusion that happiness or fulfillment only comes through radical changes like leaving medicine, starting over, or making some other drastic move. But what if reinvention wasn’t about a single, sweeping overhaul? What if it was something much smaller, more accessible, and already within reach?

We tend to make everything a big deal. We talk about Inspiration, Purpose, Reinvention. These words with capital letters feel heavy and out of reach. But what if reinvention wasn’t a destination but a habit? It doesn’t have to be about tearing down everything you’ve built, but about making small, intentional shifts. A slight adjustment today can lead you to a completely different place in the future. Reinvention with a capital "R" gets the headlines, but lowercase "r" reinvention; the quiet, daily choices to shift, tweak, and explore is just as powerful.

The same applies to purpose. We often believe we need to find one grand Purpose (with a capital “P”). Some singular mission that defines our lives. But what if purpose is not one monumental discovery, but rather a collection of small, fulfilling moments? What if it’s found in the way you connect with patients, in the time you carve out for yourself, or in the small choices that make your days feel more aligned?

And then there’s Inspiration. We treat it like something we have to wait or search for, a lightning bolt that strikes. But inspiration is as simple as a breath in, both miraculous and effortless, available to you at any moment. The lowercase “i” inspiration isn’t a grand epiphany; it’s the nudge that moves you toward a choice, however small. Don’t wait for inspiration to hit you. You will find it along the way, in the lowercase moments of your daily life.

So, what if you started today, not by quitting your job or making a sweeping change, but by taking one small step. Adjust your schedule, reclaim a part of your work that you love, set a tiny boundary that brings you peace. Cook a meal, go for a walk, text an old friend. These seemingly small actions compound over time, shifting your path in ways that feel natural rather than forced.

I challenge you to focus on the lowercase versions of inspiration, purpose, and reinvention. One breath, one step, one moment at a time. Because when you look back, you’ll see that those small choices were leading you somewhere all along.