Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Tiffany Di Pietro. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dr. Tiffany, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
Having a positive outlook generally makes life easier. While I do not ignore issues or problems, I choose to focus on what is positive about a situation or what I can do to improve a problem. I believe that spending the majority of my life studying for tests and board exams is what has made me optimistic. If you put in the effort, you are rewarded. For example- if I studied for a test, I did well.
Also, being in medicine and dealing with life or death has also contributed to my optimism. I see first hand how quickly life can be taken from us. I have also seen the effects of positivity on patients who are undergoing surgery or major medical treatments. Almost always, the patients with positive thoughts and outlooks do better longterm.
Why dwell on the negative when there is so much to be thankful for? There is always something to smile about. I wake up everyday thankful for my good health and the health of my family foremost. I surround myself with people who support me and lift me up. I ignore the naysayers and negative energy as much as I can.
As I always say- if something doesn’t make you happy, make you healthy or make you money- it is likely a waste of your time.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a quadruple board-certified cardiologist and internist. Merging my love of medicine and science with my love of people, I established a boutique concierge practice in East Fort Lauderdale in 2012. My goal is to not only treat disease, but prevent it from ever occurring when possible.
My passion is creating a comfortable, relaxing environment for my patients coupled with providing extraordinary medicine and a human touch. Myself and my staff consistently go the extra mile for our patients and enjoy getting to know them as a person, not just as a patient. I believe the model we have- a retainer-based concierge model- allows us to provide exemplary care in a way that all patients desire.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The road to being a physician is not an easy one. Couple that with opening your own business while juggling a personal life makes it even harder! I think resilience, being able to effectively communicate and having self-knowledge are three skills that were most impactful and could really effect most people in the most positive way.
Resilience is key. Being able to bounce back from all of the things that are thrown at us like difficult situations (whether it be professional or personal) helps me to stay focused on my goals and not give up. Think of “there is a light at the end of the tunnel”.
Being able to effectively communicate is hands down the one tool that everyone needs to learn. Knowing how to express yourself effectively without hurting feelings or offending others, actively listening to others and attempting to understand different opinions is vital in creating long lasting friendships and collaborations. For example, if you know that you are not going to do something when invited, just say “no thank you” not “maybe”. Maybe leaves things open to possibility from another person’s perspective when in reality, you really mean no. As my best friend says, “say what you mean and mean what you say”. Also, try twisting comments from the negative to the positive. Instead of “I am so sorry I was late”, try “thank you so much for waiting for me.” A simple dynamic shift makes a huge difference.
Lastly, having self-knowledge is probably the hardest yet most important skill of all. Understanding your strengths and weaknesses allows you to develop strategies to improve and grow. Having a clear understanding of your values and beliefs helps you to make choices aligning with them, leading to a more fulfilling and satisfying life.
Most of these skills are life skills- they take time to learn. It is life itself which teaches them to us. Take the time to listen to others, learn from others (sometimes learning what not to do or how not to act is the biggest lesson of all!) and taking time each day to have a conversation with yourself to see how you can improve upon each day- one day at a time. Remember that the thief of happiness is comparison. Just try each day to be a better version of yourself.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Feeling “overwhelmed” is something that I have almost grown to love. The sense of accomplishment that comes with successfully completing my day, driving home and knowing that I have met all of my “daily goals” is truly a great feeling. Owning my own medical office, being available to concierge patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and being a devoted wife and mother means that time management is my number one priority.
I am a huge believer in “to-do” lists. I rank my lists starting with things that need to be accomplished today, then this week, then this month. The physical task of “checking off” something on my list helps me to feel accomplished and that I am moving in the right direction. Furthermore, I like to remind myself of what I need to do for my patients so I do not forget anything, which keeps my “perfectionist” anxiety at ease!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MedicineandCardiology.com
- Instagram: @DrTiffanyDiPieteo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrTiffanyDiPietro
- Twitter: @HeartDrTiffany
- Youtube: @DrTiffanyDiPietro
Image Credits
Creative Klick Photography
