In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of activities and lose sight of what truly matters.
As a physician, small business owner, and devoted family man, the chaos of my daily routine might resonate with the realization that no one really cares about what you do — they care about what you can do for them.
No one really cares about what you do — they care about what you can do for them.
This simple truth echoes loudly to me both in the medical world and the realm of real estate investments.
In the grand tapestry of success, it’s crucial to understand that intelligence and creativity, though valuable, are not the exclusive domains of the successful. Rather, success often stems from the art of execution.
Successful individuals aren’t necessarily smarter or more creative; they’ve mastered the skill of executing their plans effectively. It’s a lesson drawn not only from the emergency room but also from the meticulous work of renovating neglected properties.
The path to success is often obscured by the allure of groundbreaking ideas and instant gratification. However, the reality is that success is born from the commitment to doing somewhat-monotonous tasks day in and day out, persisting for years. I am (attempting) to write three articles a week. Primarily based on my experience (my real estate endeavors and practice as a physician) and inspiration I come across. The glamorous façade of entrepreneurship often belies the discipline required to engage in the grind consistently.
As a physician leader and real estate investor, navigating both worlds with precision is difficult. I often feel as though I am pulled in 4 directions.
- Devoted father and husband: guilt free time I have is early morning 5-7 am when neither my children or my spouse would benefit from more attention
- Dr. Ham: W-2 income only comes from boots on the ground working in the emergency room.
- Medical Director: again, small salaried position allowing for slightly more control of my schedule, requires endless connection to the myriad of perpetual healthcare needs required within an active and high acuity/leveled trauma facility.
- Owner and Operator of a small real estate firm. My active pursuit in real estate endeavors. Entails late nine hours, early morning meetings, walking properties during downtime of other endeavors as noted above.
The ability to solve modern-day problems is not confined to the realms of medicine and real estate; it extends to the everyday choices we make. Clean eating, exercise, basking in the sunshine, and meditation are potent tools that can solve a myriad of issues, fostering a holistic approach to success. These, in turn result in growth and opportunity and health within our families, lives, and businesses.
In the pursuit of success, it’s easy to fall into the trap of procrastination disguised as productivity. Reading, planning, and brainstorming have their place, but the line between preparation and procrastination can be thin. I too, even in the research of this article, probably wasted about an hour and a half of scrolling through social media and other references to “develop inspiration”. The key lies in recognizing the difference and taking action.
Months may have passed since you declared your intentions, yet the gap between intention and action remains. The dichotomy between saying you’ll start and actually starting is a universal challenge — one that echoes in both the reno site and the boardroom or hospital executive committee meeting.
Complaints about the game are abundant, but true success lies in learning the rules. I spent five years through the end of high school and college working alongside tradesmen and developing skills as a trim carpenter. This was a limited time frame, but in retrospect, formed a foundation of skills that I rely on to this day. I can walk on site of a project and determine that my framer or my painter or my Carpenter are cutting corners and producing a good or bad product. This assessment takes me no longer than just a couple minutes at this point, because of this experience. With this, I have the skill set to determine that something is not up to par. The game is not rigged. I just see the writing on the wall and understand what the outcome should be. It did not happen overnight. What was your game plan? What foundation did you lay down that gives you the advantage? It’s not about perfection; it’s about learning, adapting, and positioning yourself as the obvious solution.
It’s not about perfection; it’s about learning, adapting, and positioning yourself as the obvious solution.
A sobering truth is that if every declared intention translated into action, results would be exponentially better. The chasm between what you could achieve and your current reality is often bridged by consistent, intentional action. It’s easy to be comfortable in a state of unhappiness rather than facing the uncertainty of change. The fear of uncertainty is a common human trait, yet no one on Earth thinks about you as much as you think they do.
No one on Earth thinks about you as much as you think they do.
This realization is liberating — it frees you from the shackles of perceived judgment and allows you to focus on what truly matters. You know what you should be doing; the challenge is understanding why you aren’t doing it.
The pursuit of shiny objects and distractions can divert attention from the core tasks essential for success. In the grand scheme of things, action speaks louder than intention. If only half the hours spent contemplating action were redirected towards taking action, the trajectory of success would be dramatically altered. It’s a call to arms, a reminder that success is not merely a destination but a journey — one that requires consistent effort, discipline, and a willingness to confront the uncomfortable.
So, as you navigate the dual worlds of medicine (or whatever industry you prevail) and real estate investment, remember that the keys to success are not elusive secrets but simple truths. Execute effectively, embrace the monotony, solve problems holistically, distinguish between preparation and procrastination, and bridge the gap between intention and action. In doing so, you’ll not only craft renewed and improved properties but also a life and career that resonate with the echoes of true success.
Alternate Door – Changing Doors | Changing lives
About the Author: I aim to create stories that allow self discovery and process. My articles are business-minded for young entrepreneurs, healthcare providers and my community.
My hope is to share my unique perspective and musings as I navigate today and tomorrow with purposeful living. From my eyes as an emergency room physician and entrepreneur.
Read a “Psalm of Life” and my 2 cents by following this link: https://medium.com/@thealternatedoor/a-psalm-of-life-b5e4330a8f30
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Alternate Door: Changing Doors | Changing Lives.
