Meet Tamara Beckford MD

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tamara Beckford MD. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tamara, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?

I have been an emergency medicine physician for over 15 years and worked on the frontlines in March 2020. It was the most stressful time in my professional career.

The hospital was full, patients were scared, and misinformation was all over. A lot of people died. Parents lost their kids. Kids lost their parents. Many died alone.

It was a traumatic time for the world, especially for healthcare workers.

Despite the pandemic, I didn’t burn out; I thrived.

Here’s how I did it.

My first step was making self-care a priority. I quickly realized that I couldn’t pour into others until I cared for myself. I started with a wake-up routine that allowed me to center myself before starting my day. I began each day intentionally, and it made a huge difference.

Another strategy was embracing the power of taking small breaks. I learned the value of those small moments during the day to recharge, even for only 2 minutes. Those micro-moments during the day helped, even if it was taking a few deep breaths before moving on to the next patient.

I also found joy in the simple things. This included launching a show. On the show, I interview physicians worldwide about their incredible work inside and outside clinical medicine. This allowed me to build new relationships and learn about interesting areas. I also spent more time with my family.

The final and most important strategy was setting boundaries. I was slow to yes and fast to no. This way, I didn’t overextend myself or engage in activities that didn’t bring me joy or align with my purpose. By setting boundaries, I gave my energy where it mattered most.

I also was focused on what was in my locus of control. I couldn’t control who showed up or how sick they were. However, I could control my response to any situation. In a difficult situation, I could choose to respond (intentionally) vs. react (knee-jerk). I opted for the former.

All of these strategies helped me to thrive and avoid burnout.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am Dr. Tamara Beckford, a board-certified emergency medicine physician, international speaker, and the CEO of UR Caring Docs. Through self-care workshops, I assist companies in reducing employee burnout. Additionally, I lead retreats tailored for doctors in private practice, focusing on building cohesive teams, increasing profitability, and retaining talent.

I also have the pleasure of hosting the Dr. Tamara Beckford Show, where I engage in conversations with physicians about self-care, wellness, and their pursuits both inside and outside clinical medicine.  I’ve interviewed 200+ physicians worldwide. It’s gratifying to know that the podcast, which shares its name with the show, ranks in the top 3% of podcasts globally. I’ve also had the honor of being a guest on over 80 podcasts.

I have presented to several organizations about wellness including Power to Fly, Jack and Jill Humble-Kingwood Chapter, CenterPoint Energy, The Grants Professionals Association, Physician Coach Support, Garden State Bar Association, the 40 Acre Conference and many more.

I also serve as a Success Mentor at EntreMD Business School (EBS). In this capacity, I mentor. over 60 physicians each week, assisting them in building profitable six- and seven-figure businesses. I’m proud to have co-authored two bestselling books, “Made For More” and “Thriving After Burnout”. Additionally, the New Jersey Academy of Sciences recognized me as a COVID-19 Hero for my efforts during the pandemic.

Outside of work, I am mother and wife. I also love trying new food.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on my journey, a few qualities proved to be most impactful in avoiding burnout and building a fulfilling career and business.

I’ll share them below.

Boundaries and Self-Care: First, setting clear boundaries between work and personal life was crucial. While it was tempting to dedicate every waking moment to my career, neglecting my well-being could lead to burnout. Establishing firm boundaries around work hours and time for myself was crucial. I prioritized self-care activities that recharged me mentally, emotionally, and physically. Regular exercise, quality sleep, and engaging in hobbies that brought me joy were all part of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. I understood that I could only effectively care for others if I cared for myself first. This was most important as I worked on the frontlines during the pandemic. If you’re an entrepeneur, balance is key.

Coaching and Community: My life transformed when I found a coach who changed how I viewed the world. Through coaching, I learned that it was okay to pivot. I also joined a community of supportive physician entrepreneurs, which was crucial as I built my business. Medical school had prepared me to be a good doctor, but I had to acquire additional skills to thrive as an entrepreneur. Finding mentors who could provide guidance, share their experiences, and offer advice on navigating challenges was invaluable. Learning from those who had walked a similar path provided me with valuable insights and helped me avoid pitfalls. Entrepreneurship could be lonely, but I learned that it didn’t have to be – finding my people was essential. Finding the right coach can take you from where you are to where you want to be.

Resilience and Continous Learning: There were times when I wanted to quit, and it felt like nothing was working. On those days, I had to dig deep and recommit to my goals. Developing resilience and the ability to be a continuous learner made a significant difference. Resilience meant bouncing back from any setback. Embracing continuous learning meant not staying stuck, but keeping my mind open to embracing new ways. Learning new information and gaining different perspectives challenged me to think differently. I found it essential to surround myself with individuals who thought differently from me. Finally, I recognized that growth happened outside my comfort zone. For example, I didn’t post on social media because I was scared. I wondered what people would think. But I pushed past the fear and post daily. last year my content was viewed 1.4 million times on social media.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes. Here are two ways we can collaborate.

Private Practice Owners: I lead retreats explicitly tailored for private practice owners, focusing on achieving three key goals: enhancing team cohesion, combating burnout, and ultimately driving increased profits. These retreats provide a unique blend of relaxation, skill-building, and strategic planning to create a more productive work environment. I would love to chat if you’re a private practice owner.

Organizations: I offer companies solutions to combat burnout and retain their best talent through specialized self-care workshops. Prioritizing employee well-being and reducing burnout isn’t just a luxury—it’s a strategic imperative for any forward-thinking organization. It directly impacts the bottom line by enhancing productivity, reducing turnover costs, and ensuring sustained success in an increasingly competitive market. I would love to partner with organizations interested in building a robust wellness program for their teams.

Grab your self-care transformation guide: https://www.urcaringdocs.com/free-download  

Contact Info:

Image Credits
J Raphael Photography

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