Hey Fam!
Madison and I are just days—maybe hours—away from welcoming our second child into the world.
And this season has me reflecting a lot lately about this idea that keeps floating around in professional circles (especially in medicine): Wait until things settle down. Then pursue the next thing. But here’s what I’m learning: there is no “settled down.”
The perfect time rarely shows up with a neat little bow. What does show up, often quietly and unexpectedly, is the right invitation—and the courage to say yes to it.
Sara Blakely Started Spanx at the “Worst” Time
Before she was a billionaire and the founder of Spanx, Sara Blakely was selling fax machines door-to-door and had no background in fashion. She had the idea for Spanx but kept thinking she’d wait until she had more experience, more time, or a “better plan.” Eventually, she realized that day might never come—and just decided to start. She wrote her patent herself, launched without investors, and built a billion-dollar brand in what everyone would call the wrong time.
Today, Spanx is a household name. And Sara is often quoted as saying: "Don't wait to be ready. You're probably more ready than you think." She could’ve waited for perfect timing. But the opportunity would’ve passed.
Growing a Family and your Career
In medicine—and really in any demanding field—there’s this unspoken belief: “Get through training first. Then life begins.”
When Madison and I had our first child in medical school, people were surprised. But truthfully, we had more time then than we do now in residency.
And I won’t be shocked if, post-residency, the demands only shift and multiply. There’s always another milestone ahead—another reason to delay joy, growth, or risk.
But we’ve realized something: if you keep waiting for a “better time,” life might just pass you by.
Instead, we’ve tried to root our decisions in obedience over convenience—trusting that if God gives us peace about a next step, that's all we need to pull the trigger.
How to Apply This in Your Life
1. Reject the myth of the “perfect season.”
There will always be challenges. Don’t let ideal conditions be a prerequisite for important decisions.
2. Water the unseen roots.
Whether it’s parenting, building a business, or deepening your faith, the most important growth often happens in hidden seasons.
3. Choose obedience over logic.
Not everything has to make sense to others. If something’s placed on your heart, trust that it was for a reason.
4. Redefine readiness.
You don’t have to feel fully ready—you just have to feel willing.
Quote to Reflect On
“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” - Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NLT)
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Resources for Further Growth
📖 The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer – an amazing look at how to slow down and say yes to what matters. Read it here
📰 The Evolving Student Newsletter – A free 10-email series delivering evidence-based strategies to enhance your learning journey. Sign up here
🎓 The Evolving Student Course – A 30-day challenge designed to transform you into an elite learner, offering proven strategies to unlock your academic potential. Enroll now
👥 Teach As You Learn Community – A supportive network of aspiring and practicing physicians committed to mentorship, guidance, and collaborative growth. Join here
📚 Shortform – Access comprehensive guides to over 1,000 nonfiction books, distilling key insights to accelerate your learning. Explore top book summaries
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🎯 The Match Guy Services – Receive expert guidance on residency applications, personal statements, and interview preparation to navigate the competitive medical field successfully. Residency guidance
💍 Ultrahuman Ring (10% off!) – Optimize your sleep, recovery, and performance with this cutting-edge wearable, providing valuable insights into your health metrics. Track sleep & recovery
🛍️ Amazon Storefront Check out essentially everything I use in my personal and professional life, from my reading list to the my favorite pieces of tech. Shop now
What’s something you’ve been putting off because you’re “waiting for the right time”? Reply and let me know—I love hearing how you’re navigating this too.
See you next week! (Maybe with baby pictures 😉)
JR
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