Encore Careers: Standing where it all comes together

I closed my post Doctors and The Circle of Control with a call to action: if you are operating in a system where you are being required to compromise your core values and are being pushed towards things that you can do nothing about, it's time to consider your options. In this post I give you a framework to to get you started on your journey to a fulfilling encore career.

A purposeful career is a balance of passion, skill, impact and value

In this post I give you a framework to to get you started on your journey to a fulfilling encore career, to reroute the flow of your energy away from the drain of things that are beyond your control, into your own beautiful, restorative reservoir. How that looks is personal to you because it is all about your purpose and how you choose to bring together the things that you want to dedicate your time and resources to. 

Yet, it can be surprisingly difficult for doctors, even those well-established in their medical careers, to define their purpose. We are conditioned to think in a certain way or follow a specific path. Even if you think you know your purpose, it's easy to question it when faced with the rigours of medical practice, especially if it seems that the system is doing everything it can to prevent you from fulfilling it. This is a major cause of burnout, moral distress and disengagement for doctors (Ghaseminejad et al, 2025). Senior doctors, who have often sacrificed for their careers are particularly vulnerable, contributing to the rise in early retirement seen in this group (British Medical Association, 2023).

A great place to begin uncovering your purpose is by exploring your values. You can only truly understand and follow your purpose when you know your values and make them align with your work.

Consider your purpose as your reason for being. This is the Japanese concept of ikigari, which sits at the balanced intersection of the things you love to do, your skills and talents, what the world needs and what you need to be secure. Ikigari is about harmony, and that only comes when you are truly aligned with your values. Turning your core personal values into a statement of purpose requires the headspace for reflection, reiteration and introspection.

But it's worth it.

From García, H., & Miralles, F. (2016). Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life. Penguin Books. 

What is it that you really want and need to live and work to your values with purpose and impact?

I am a palliative care doctor, who found renewed purpose as an advocate with the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care, a coach and a service improvement consultant. I founded Hamilton Hill Coaching and Consultancy, to support senior doctors to craft purposeful encore careers and to help organisations retain them.

Because society cannot afford to lose our skills, experience and wisdom.

If this post resonated with you and you would like to explore your next career move, drop me a message.