Medicine is built on structure—rules, pathways, and expectations that guide you from training to practice. These structures provide a strong foundation, but they can also feel limiting, especially when it comes to building your career.
What if you want to share your knowledge beyond the clinic?
What if you’re curious about a new way to practice?
What if you dream of a career that feels more aligned with who you are?
For many physicians, these questions arise at some point—but instead of acting on them, they wait. For approval. For the “right time.” For someone else to say it’s okay.
But as Naval Ravikant, entrepreneur and thinker, reminds us:
"Play iterated games. All the returns in life, whether in wealth, relationships, or knowledge, come from compound interest."
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In other words, autonomy isn’t achieved in a single leap—it’s built over time, through small, intentional steps. The most fulfilled physicians aren’t necessarily the ones with the most prestigious positions. They are the ones who took ownership of their careers—before anyone told them it was the right move.
The Habit of Waiting
Medical training teaches discipline, resilience, and precision—but it also instills a habit of waiting. We wait for grades, for residency placements, for board certifications, for contracts. It’s easy to assume that every career decision must come with permission.
But some of the most forward-thinking doctors have taken a different approach: they started before they felt ready.
1. Sharing Your Knowledge, Your Way
Traditionally, physicians have shared their expertise through peer-reviewed journals, conferences, or academic roles. But today, many doctors are finding new ways to educate, connect, and inspire—without waiting for an official title to do so.
Lauren Grawert, MD a psychiatrist and advocate, found herself drawn to mental health policy and addiction treatment. Instead of waiting for an official role, she started writing and speaking on these topics—using platforms like LinkedIn to share insights and challenge misconceptions about psychiatry.
She didn’t ask for permission. She simply started.
“Learn to sell. Learn to build. If you can do both, you will be unstoppable.” — Naval Ravikant
An Invitation: If you have knowledge that could help others, what’s a small way you could share it—whether through writing, speaking, or mentoring?
2. Practicing Medicine on Your Own Terms
Many physicians feel pressure to conform to existing models of care, even when they don’t align with how they want to practice. But the landscape is shifting. Direct primary care, concierge medicine, and telehealth entrepreneurship are allowing physicians to shape their own patient care experiences.
Dr. Jennifer Peters took control of her career by stepping away from traditional practice and starting BetterUroLife PA, a micropractice focused on long-term care and acute rehab facilities. She also became an advocate for telehealth legislation, recognizing its potential to improve access and reduce the inefficiencies of high-overhead private practice models.
She didn’t wait for an institution to modernize care—she became part of the movement to change it.
An Invitation: If you could design your ideal way to practice medicine, what would it look like? What small step could move you closer to that vision?
3. Expanding Your Options Beyond the Clinic
Many physicians feel financially tied to clinical work, making it difficult to explore other interests or step away from demanding schedules. But financial independence isn’t about accumulating wealth—it’s about having choices.
Dr. Peters, for example, transitioned from traditional urology to consulting in long-term care, creating a niche that aligned with her interests while providing greater flexibility and autonomy.
She saw an unmet need, explored how she could fill it, and took action—without waiting for a roadmap.
Lucens Bottom Line - You Don’t Need Permission to Build a Career You Love
The most fulfilled physicians aren’t necessarily the ones who followed the most prestigious or traditional paths. They are the ones who created careers that align with their values, curiosity, and sense of purpose.
If you’re waiting for someone to tell you it’s okay to explore a new direction, consider this your sign. Medicine will always need dedicated, brilliant minds—but how you choose to contribute is up to you.
What’s one step you can take today to bring more autonomy into your career?
