I doled out advice the other day in a an online group that revolved around entrepreneurship in healthcare.

The topic?

Pressures of the online world.

So many physicians feel like it’s a race, and that they’re somehow missing out on a prize of some sort if they’re not keeping up.

But in my experience, that’s been farther from the truth.

Part of my success (as defined by the attainment of happiness) has been due to the slower pace I’ve adapted, where growth is concerned.

the social media race: a marathon rather than a sprint!

For me, it was always incredibly important to grow organically. That meant trust built up over time.

It’s crucial for me to have my physician audience see exactly what I’m capable of, by building it on my own. If my audience sees the content I put out, and actually connects with it, there’s no greater proof that I’m good at what I do. How else would they trust what I say, if they don’t see that I’ve done it myself? And how else could I claim it?

The Overwhelm

When I did look around at those around me in the past, I understood the feeling of ‘overwhelm’. There’s not enough hours in the day to not only absorb what’s out there, but to mirror it too.

All around, you hear stories of success.

You see everybody’s polished photos.

You feel like there’s something wrong where you are on your own journey; as if there’s something you could be doing differently, or need to do more of.

But the reality is that people struggle. And their struggles aren’t always evident online. You have to simply keep reminding yourself of it.

Even if we ‘live’ in the online space these days, it’s still curated; life’s online magazine.

In fact, here’s my greatest piece of advice:

Use others’ successes as motivation for your own growth. Remind yourself that behind each account, behind each share, behind each perceived achievement, lies truths you may not know.

Use others' #success as motivation for your own growth. Remind yourself that behind each account, behind each share, behind each perceived achievement, lies truths you may not know. #medtwitter #amwriting Click To Tweet

So when someone asked about content creation,

and about social media growth online, I opened up about my own path, and wrote that I do all of my “own stunts”. I did this purposely, rather than outsource, all of these years. I realized it would be the BEST for “putting my money where my mouth is”.

How else to consult where social media is concerned (the value that I planned to bring to the table) than to actually work through it and build something of my own, from the ground up?

It may have taken tons of blood, sweat, and tears, but I’m proud of what I’m grown. I’m ready now to help others, because I feel good about what I bring to the table.

Here’s the crux of my advice, summed up in one fell swoop:

Move about slowly, taking pressure off, and actively dedicate breaks to those in your life that matter most.

Bam, that’s the truth.

Social media advice: move about slowly, take pressure off of yourself, & actively dedicate breaks to those in your life that matter most. #medtwitter #amwriting Click To Tweet

My online colleague, Dr. Linda Street, post profoundly to my reply, mentioning a harsh reality many of us grapple with – that this is especially hard for those that are still in clinical medicine, juggling real life AND the online.

Touche. She’s so spot on.

In this case especially – when we’re already overwhelmed by our regular day jobs – I just don’t think there’s any way to succeed but to take it slowly. The pressure is just too high.

We simply have to keep reminding ourselves to continue trekking at our own pace. Look around, but at the same time, wear blinders. It’s a very tight rope to walk, but finding that balance is key to getting to the other side (in one piece).