Recently I’ve been struggling. I’ve been doing things that are not as satisfying as they used to be, or not moving me in the direction I wanted. This wasn’t obvious to me at the time. It just presented itself as me being a massive pain in the butt, hating life and being difficult to deal with – according to my perceptive fiancé and mentors.
So I started focusing on what my Great Work is—and trying to articulate it.
It started with the general idea of ‘education’ and then ‘access to education.’ It turns out, after 3 university degrees, 8 years at uni, becoming a medical doctor, and hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on additional courses ranging from business to marketing and personal development—I’m kind of into learning stuff.
Then the ideas rolled from there. Next came medicine, education for doctors, making doctors lives easier. Making a billion dollars and an impact while I’m at it. But what kind of impact?
There are poor kids who I could help go to school. Village kids in third world countries. But that’s end game stuff. This is where the funds ultimately go. People who need medication—again, end game.
Actually, Philanthropy in itself is a bit boring to me. Committees, dinners, looking for sponsors sounds like a pain. Plus I don’t like the idea of sucking up to people and ‘schmoozing.’ However, setting up cool programs that are helpful and profitable is MUCH more exciting. Combining entrepreneurship with a positive impact on people I like / admire / feel for is where it’s at for me.
Having worked as a doctor, I’ve seen that there is money to be made in the medical training / education field. On top of that, doctors’ lives are intense, challenging and stressful. They save lives every day, but often at the expense of their own happiness and freedom. Either they struggle while they’re working or they have to go through hell to get into the medical position they want. It’s a tough journey from start to finish.
I’ve seen it all my life because both my parents are trained doctors from Poland. They worked liked crazy over there. When they immigrated to Australia only one of them made it into medical practice. The process of getting accredited in Australia was a nightmare. It was a black cloud hanging over our family from the age I was 6 until I was about 14.
Then my dad passed his exams in Australia and the intense work started. Part of it is because he likes the old school 12+ hour days, 6-7 days a week—it’s a passion, it was needed to support the family and was a bit of an escape from the struggles of immigration. But he still complained of being tired, not having enough holidays and time to rest. If he wasn’t at work, he was reading medical journals at home. My brother and I didn’t see him much growing up. We saw him when he was tired and over it all.
My mum’s journey was more dramatic. She spent 7 years trying over and over to pass the exams which would allow her to practice in Australia. It caused fights, stress, disappointments with the repeated failed exams. Eventually she gave up, stating that the examiners were against her. It haunted my mum, my parents’ relationship, and the family environment for another 7 years. It’s still a sensitive and emotional topic until this day.
I feel the responsibility for the results ultimately lies with my mum. But still, I’m not surprised I now run a company that helps people become doctors. In a way I want to help others avoid this drama, and wish I could have done this as a kid to help my mum achieve her goals and save our family from the drama.
So from getting into medical school and becoming a doctor, to actually living a life where you see your kids and go on holidays while still giving your all to your job, I’ve seen the struggle. I’ve felt it.
When I became a doctor myself (maybe because I was living out my parents dreams), I saw what was ahead of me and said, ‘no way.’ I got out.
I see my friends who are doctors now loving and struggling with their profession. It’s not an easy ride. But it’s an important one. So the people who have decided to give their lives to it (and that’s what they do—they give their WHOLE lives to it—it’s not a career, it’s a lifestyle), they deserve our support. And I want to give that to them—throughout the whole process. From getting into medicine, to thriving while there, to dealing with difficult situations, to getting out if they want.
The impact that would make on the hundreds of thousands of doctors in Australia, not to mention the world, will be HUGE. Plus the extended impact, on the patients’ lives these happier doctors will help, will be mind boggling. It will help billions of people.
The ideas I have for doing this will encompass charity work, education, doctors’ lifestyles, health and happiness. The possibilities I see are huge.
Right now, this is my Great Work.