Defining success is highly subjective – not just for doctors but for anyone.

What motivates each of us differs from one person to the next as do our measures of what we think makes us successful.

Is it wealth? Is it power? It might be respect. Or it could be happiness with a loving partner, family and friends.

More likely, success to most of us will be a combination of all of the above in varying degrees.

Many successful and famous people have recognised failure as an indelible ingredient of success.

Winston Churchill noted, “Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.”

Coco Chanel said, “Success is often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable.”

While Martin Luther King Jr took a different slant saying, “We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries or the size of our automobiles rather than by the quality of our service and relationship to mankind.”

Once you have considered how you define success, you can begin thinking about how to achieve it.

Below are some tips that we here at AHA Clinics think will steer you on the right path.

Follow your dream

This is particularly important for young doctors in medical school.

We spend a third of our lives or more at work. So if you are drawn to a particular discipline during study, don’t be afraid to pursue it.

You need to spend your career being fulfilled by the work you do and not just fronting up Monday morning to earn another pay cheque.

Never be afraid to embrace your calling, even if challenges present themselves. Studying and working in your chosen field will come easier to you if you are invested in it.

Set goals

It’s much easier to arrive at where you want to go with a map, a compass and a timeline.

Set yourself goals within a reasonable timeframe to ensure you always have clarity, focus, motivation and direction. These should be SMART goals – that’s Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.

Keep learning

Medicine and General Practice is a constantly evolving field and successful doctors never stop educating themselves.

There is always something new to learn whether that be the availability of new treatments, procedures, or a new understanding of particular diseases.

You may even wish to study further to enhance your skill set in a new or complementary field.

Those who don’t look to always improve their knowledge base will quickly be left behind.

Embrace new technology

Technology in medicine moves equally as fast. There is always something new to discover, explore and utilise.

AHA Clinics prides itself on having the very latest technologies and equipment in its clinics.

We encourage our doctors to read the latest journals, attend conferences and tutorials, engage with their peers, join social media groups and subscribe to health podcasts to remain abreast of all the latest health news and trends.

Build relationships

Building solid relationships with your peers and colleagues helps establish a harmonious working environment and should be a key plank for any successful doctor.

Courtesy, respect and consideration of others are easy to do in good times and go a long way towards keeping the train on the rails when the pressure is really on.

It also helps to build your network which could open up new opportunities for you somewhere down the track.

Be a team player

Great doctors are great team players. That’s because effective treatment of patients so often demands a team approach.

Being a great team player requires discipline, dedication, selflessness and a strong work ethic.

It also allows young doctors to observe, participate and learn techniques new to them for the benefit of all.

Find a mentor

Mentors are critical to the development of doctors young and not so young. They provide an invaluable sounding board and a critical but hopefully also understanding ear throughout every stage of a doctor’s career.

Mentors may also offer networking opportunities that can lead to exciting new career paths.

Becoming a mentor is just as important as being mentored. It can also be incredibly rewarding and is a concept that AHA Clinics actively encourages.

Take care of yourself

No doctor can operate to the best of their ability if they are neglecting their own health.

At AHA Clinics, we place a high priority on our doctors’ health and wellbeing as well as work/life balance. Too many doctors have fallen victim to burnout in recent years as a result of working too many hours with too few breaks.

We are acutely aware that the work appetite of everyone varies and are happy to tailor hours to suit all of our doctors.

Apply now to work at AHA

Are you looking for a fresh start in a clinic with a fantastic culture that supports you both professionally and personally?

Life-changing opportunities are yours for the taking at Seaford.

We are situated in the heart of Adelaide’s southern beaches where you can maximise your income and then unwind and enjoy all the perks the coastal lifestyle has to offer.

Our purpose built, state-of-the-art facilities utilise natural light and make coming to work here a joy.

If this sounds attractive, we’d love to hear from you.

Our team is on hand, ready to answer all of your questions. 

But don’t take our word for it!

We can put you in touch with some of our resident doctors for a more personal perspective of what it’s like to work here at Seaford.

You can learn more about our practice and register your interest here or email recruit@aharecruitment.com.au.

Our AHA leadership team will contact you soon to arrange an interview.