On this first interview-format episode of The Dose, I have a great conversation with Drs. Antonio Chirumbolo and Matt Gellar of NewGradOptometrey and Covalent Careers. Antonio and Matt are both optometrists by training, but both of them have fully embraced business opportunities and ideas that have stemmed from their clinical and career experience as practicing optometrists. In fact, I learned in this episode that Dr. Geller has completely stopped seeing patients in a clinical setting and rather focuses 100% of his time and energy on his various businesses!

We cover a variety of topics in this episode, and while a lot of the discussion is through the filter of optometry, I'm confident that others wearing different white coats (dentists, pharmacists, and physicians) will still take away actionable and thought-provoking ideas. During our conversation, we discuss:

• Matt & Antonio's backgrounds and their catalyst for starting a business (that's NOT a private practice).
• How the rising cost of education is influencing the decisions that young doctors are making with their careers…and what you should be cognizant of when planning your life.
• How "taking a pause" in your career can allow you to see great opportunities that are right in front of you.
• How the world of optometry and other white coat professions has changed, opening up more opportunities to be involved in your profession…without seeing patients!
• The importance of goal setting and how taking time every month and one day per quarter can significantly improve the return you get on life.
• How you can become more aware of your own soft skills (relationship skills, chairside manner, conversation aptitude, etc) to help you market yourself (and your practice) more effectively and deliver a great patient experience.
• The importance of self-reflection and investing in yourself…and why I believe people struggle with this habit!

Links

Emotional Intelligence Test

Covalent Careers

New Grad Optometry

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