Have you ever thought about the fears you have overcome to get to where you are today? For this episode, hosts Andy and John are joined by guests Patricia Capone, Marcus Robinson, and Aatish Patel to discuss these fears and how they have conquered them as they have become older and wiser.
Fear of Approval: Letting Go of People Pleasing
John shares a significant personal victory—the realization that not everyone needs to like him. He narrates how, in his younger years, he often felt compelled to morph into someone more palatable to others. Through self-reflection, he discerns the difference between adapting to accomplish a goal and the need for approval. This revelation has helped him embrace his authentic self, resulting in increased happiness. Similarly, Andy reinforces John’s perspective, with the acknowledgment that authenticity is more valuable than being a chameleon for others’ approval.
Fear of Missing Out on Life’s Milestones
Patricia shares a tale of societal expectations versus personal aspirations. She describes the pressure she faced regarding family and career choices—a pressure born from external fears rather than her own. Despite warnings that her career would impede her personal life, Patricia pursued medical school. She realized that these fears were misplaced, debunking the myth that a career in medicine would prevent personal fulfillment, such as having a family.
Inherited Fears: The Unseen Burden
Fear isn’t always self-created; sometimes, it’s instilled by those around us. Andy touches upon a profound insight: as individuals, and especially as parents, it’s crucial not to pass along our fears to others. He acknowledges the challenge of not only confronting one’s inherent fears but also those compounded by external influences.
At an age where authority figures are viewed as infallible, young minds often absorb an array of fears. As Patricia notes, the motives of these figures aren’t always altruistic, and recognizing this can help liberate individuals from unnecessary burdens.
Fear of Imperfection
Marcus reflects on the notion of perfection, which often clouds our perspective. Through sports analogies, he emphasizes the importance of progress over perfection. Instead of focusing solely on achieving grand successes, he highlights the value of incremental improvements, much like advancing in a game with strategic plays rather than constantly aiming for home runs.
Andy and John further this notion by discussing the idea that life is not a competitive race. True fulfillment lies in recognizing that success isn’t solely about outdoing others, but rather about personal growth and happiness.
Take-Home Points:
- The fear of approval leads to comparisons and undue pressures, which are the thieves of joy.
- It is important to determine if the fears we have are those we have placed on ourselves or those that have been inherited from others.
- The pressures of being perfect
- Conquering your fears can be difficult. It’s important to celebrate your wins along the way.
Post by Patricia Capone, DO PGY-4
About Our Guest:
Marcus Robinson, MD
PGY-2, AdventHealth East Orlando, Emergency Medicine Residency Program
Aatish Patel, MD
PGY-3, Chief Resident, AdventHealth East Orlando, Emergency Medicine Residency Program
Patricia Capone, DO
PGY-4, Chief Resident, OhioHealth Doctors Hospital, Emergency Medicine Residency Program
EM Over Easy Blog Editor, Med Student Over Easy Cohost
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