Advice for New Attendings

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It's that time of year again. New residents coming into programs and senior residents graduating. I have been reading all the "Tips for New Docs" on twitter and this made me reflect on advice that I would give my graduating residents. Here are my pearls - Hope that you find them useful

1. The only thing you have earned is the right to apply your skills and knowledge and get paid for it. You still need to earn the respect of your colleagues. Establish (and be true) to your brand name.
   
2. You still only know 95% of what it takes to be competent. Tread carefully over the next 2 years.
   
3. You have sacrificed so much effort becoming an attending physician that you may have lost sight of the fact that you are WAY BIGGER than just an “attending physician”. Create a personal mission.
   
4. You also only know 80% about life. Read. Learn from others. Listen. Ask yourself some key questions.
   
5. The life side is way more important than the med side. This is where your focus should really be. 
   
6. You probably also only know 80% about yourself. Introspect - what do you believe? Why? What do you value? Why? How do you undermine yourself? How do you talk to your self? Who are you? What is your purpose in this life?
   
7. Think DEEPLY before you decide. Anything you sign up for needs to align with your values. If it doesn’t just say no.
   
8. You are a leader - you don’t need a leadership position in your group to behave like one. LEAD!
   
9. It doesn’t matter what the data shows or who is right - people need to feel heard and valued. You will ALWAYS have to win people over. 
   
10. A good life is about people, connectedness, memories and experiences - you need a lot less money than you think you do.