Ep52: Dr. Ben Reinking: Overcoming Burnout and Redefining Success for Physicians

Your Business – Your Next Level

In this episode of Your Business Your Next Level, I sit down with Dr. Ben Reinking, a board-certified pediatric cardiologist, master-certified physician development coach, and founder of The Developing Doctor. Ben shares his journey from practicing medicine to becoming a coach for physicians struggling with burnout. We dive deep into the emotional and professional challenges doctors face, the pressures of the healthcare system, and how high-achieving professionals can rediscover their purpose while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Ben introduces his approach to coaching physicians, helping them redefine success, set boundaries, and implement small daily choices that lead to long-term well-being. His insights apply not only to doctors but to any high-performance individual looking to realign their career with their values.

Key Takeaways:

Finding Your "Why" is Critical: Burnout often happens when professionals lose sight of the reasons they entered their field. Ben explains how reconnecting with that original purpose can reignite passion and motivation.

The 80/20 Rule Applies to Fulfillment: Studies show that if professionals spend just 20% of their time on work they truly enjoy, they can endure and even thrive during the other 80% of their responsibilities.

The Power of Small Daily Choices: Making intentional decisions—whether about personal time, work commitments, or self-care—can have a major impact on reducing stress and avoiding burnout.

Set Boundaries and Honor Them: Physicians and professionals often feel they can’t say "no" or take time for themselves, but Ben emphasizes the importance of creating and respecting personal and professional boundaries.

Coaching is for Growth, Not Just Crisis: Seeking help from a coach isn’t about admitting failure—it’s about accelerating growth, much like professional athletes do. Having an outside perspective can help identify blind spots and lead to meaningful improvements.

Timeline Summary:

[00:00] - Introduction to Dr. Ben Reinking and his mission to help physicians overcome burnout.

[02:00] - Why doctors experience burnout and the pressures of the healthcare system.

[05:00] - Rediscovering your "why" and how it transforms professional fulfillment.

[08:00] - The 80/20 rule: Finding time for work that truly matters.

[12:00] - Setting boundaries and creating a schedule that prioritizes well-being.

[15:00] - The power of saying "I don’t know" and why it builds trust and confidence.

[20:00] - How coaching helps high achievers grow without feeling like they’ve failed.

[25:00] - Final thoughts on self-awareness, leadership, and making work enjoyable.

Links & Resources:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-reinking-md-03987a101/

https://thedevelopingdoctor.com/