The Doctor's Crossing Carpe Diem Podcast

Episode #232: You Don't Need the Perfect Plan: How Trying Things Out Can Lead to a Better Career


Listen Later

Have you ever felt the soul of your workplace—the sense of connection, purpose, and community—start to fade? That's exactly what happened to Dr. Sonia Millan, a board-certified family medicine physician with additional certifications in sports and lifestyle medicine. When her autonomy dwindled and joy disappeared, she knew it was time to make a change.

Instead of leaping into the unknown with one perfect plan, Sonia earned what she calls her "honorary master's in pivotry." She experimented, explored, and stayed curious—trying everything from chart review and patient advocacy to IRB work and prison-system audits. Some paths fit, others didn't, but each step brought her closer to a career she truly loves. And here's the twist: the job she once thought she'd never enjoy is now her 10-out-of-10 dream role.

Her journey is a powerful reminder that clarity doesn't come from waiting for the perfect plan—it comes from moving, experimenting, and letting go of what's not for you.

In this episode we're talking about:

  • How losing autonomy in clinical practice led Sonia to explore new possibilities
  • The mindset shift that helped her turn uncertainty into opportunity
  • Unexpected lessons she learned from eight years as a white-water rafting guide
  • How she tested different nonclinical paths (and what she learned from each one)
  • What changed her mind about her current role and why she now loves it
  • How curiosity, intuition, and her "lunch litmus test" helped her find her ideal fit
  • The spiritual practice that keeps her grounded.

Links for this episode:

🌟 Private 1:1 Consultations - If you would like some confidential help with your career situation, I offer an hour-long paid consultation via Zoom. This session may be all that you need to gain clarity and have some steps for moving forward. If after this consultation you prefer additional support, there is the option of doing one of my coaching programs (subject to availability). For more information including pricing please reach out to Kati at [email protected].

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Doctor's Crossing Carpe Diem PodcastBy Heather Fork, MD

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

165 ratings


More shows like The Doctor's Crossing Carpe Diem Podcast

View all
TED Radio Hour by NPR

TED Radio Hour

22,010 Listeners

Good Life Project by Jonathan Fields / Acast

Good Life Project

3,325 Listeners

White Coat Investor Podcast by Dr. Jim Dahle of the White Coat Investor

White Coat Investor Podcast

2,440 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

112,327 Listeners

Physician NonClinical Careers with John Jurica by John Jurica, MD, MPH, CPE

Physician NonClinical Careers with John Jurica

99 Listeners

Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel by LinkedIn

Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel

1,019 Listeners

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos by Pushkin Industries

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

14,382 Listeners

Tradeoffs by Tradeoffs

Tradeoffs

397 Listeners

Money Meets Medicine by Doctor Podcast Network, Jimmy Turner MD

Money Meets Medicine

217 Listeners

The Passive Income MD Podcast by Peter Kim, MD

The Passive Income MD Podcast

279 Listeners

Chasing Life by CNN Podcasts

Chasing Life

8,181 Listeners

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens by Dr. Lisa Damour/Reena Ninan

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

105 Listeners

The Career Rx Podcast for Doctors by Marjorie Stiegler MD

The Career Rx Podcast for Doctors

69 Listeners

IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson by Higher Ground

IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson

12,678 Listeners

The Oprah Podcast by Harpo

The Oprah Podcast

1,525 Listeners