Work and Play…It’s All About Connecting

Dr. Damian McHugh talks about balance vs. integration when it comes to work and play, and what’s really at the heart of living your best life.

Work and play, two simple words that many of us contemplate frequently. Striking a balance between the two seems to be what most people want but have yet to crack the code. Prior Surgeon General, Jerome Adams MD, speaks publicly about a different concept – work/life integration. When we think about balance, we’re looking for separation between work and play. When we look at integration, we’re bringing both aspects together in our everyday activities. Since hearing Dr. Adams' talk over a year ago, I have pondered more about what we all really want, and the conclusion I came to is that it’s all about connection. It’s the pursuit of how, when, and where we can connect…with ourselves, our family and friends, and our colleagues.

A collection of stories to illustrate my point…

About two and a half years ago, I planned a break in Paris and London with my wife and sons. We paused, and gratefully celebrated hanging up my stethoscope after 31 years of practicing as a full-time physician. We sat on Christmas day in opulence, listening to a quartet play festive music in the Gustave Eiffel lounge of that famed tower. My lads and I sipped champagne and I reminded myself that I simply could not be more fortunate. My view was unsurpassed. I was closing the door on a career of service to my community and opening the door to serving Curi’s clientele and to add, where I could, my expertise to the team that serves you. The balance I achieved on that break, and the time it afforded me to connect with my family, helped me become who I am now.

In preparation for Curi’s 50^th anniversary next year, I have recently had the joy of interviewing two of our founding father physicians, Harvey Estes (age 99) and Henry Carr (age 94). As you will read in the article I plan to publish next year, these physicians were kind-hearted souls who simply stood up and did the next right thing, each and every day. They were not, at the time, especially special people. Now, however, when I (and countless others) look back at their careers with a retrospectoscope, we see the trail-blazing pioneers that they were. Spending that invaluable time with them was a wonderful way to integrate work and life, to connect, and to reflect personally and professionally on their lives as well as my own.

In a few days’ time, the world will witness the finest athletes coming together in Paris for the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad. As they compete across 39 sports, quite a number of the 10,500 will be able to see that tower as they try their hardest to be the best, the fastest, the strongest. In that quest, they do not differ from the vast majority of Curi’s clients, an increasing number of whom I am privileged to be around each week. We’re all striving to do the very best work we can. Whether I think about a malpractice suit, a practice consulting project, or a personal or practice financial plan, I am proud of the expertise and resolve we have at Curi, but I’m even more proud of our ability to connect, to provide support, and to integrate our lives with our clients’ lives in both work and play.

So, as I eagerly watch the shot putt or beach volleyball, when I witness the grit on a marathon athlete’s face, or the exhaustion and exhilaration of the fastest swimmer, I will make a point to reach out to a friend, a colleague, or one of my sons, and have a chat about how lucky we are to be connected and to enjoy life together in all the ways we do. My own gold medal is knowing that in a small but certain way, while my team and I support each other, and we work hard to help and cheer on our clients, success is but a journey. Living your best life is the destination.