Find Your Passion

I recently had lunch with a friend who asked me what my inspiration was for starting Look New Canaan. Or, rather, how was I able to distill down exactly what I wanted the practice to be. How was I able to filter out all the “noise” about what we should be doing and how we need to do it, and really build a practice that is authentic to me?

Over our lunch of salads, sandwiches, and diner coffee (the best!), we really got into a great discussion about optometry. Why did we both pursue the field, where our careers have taken us, and in this phase, what do we want next? I have had similar discussions recently with many friends and classmates now that we have been out of optometry school almost two decades. We are setting into our routines and looking ahead to what is next.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge Walt Disney fan. If I’m not listening to Disney music, I’m checking wait times at the Magic Kingdom, or planning our family’s next trip to Disney World. Of course, one of my favorite quotes is a Walt Disney quote, and one I’ve gone back to time and time again throughout this journey. It’s even posted on my home office board right about my monitor: “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

When I started Look, I sat down and thought of specific questions. What are the parts of optometry I really enjoy doing and look forward to? What are the parts that aren’t my favorite that I could refer to friends locally who are passionate about? If I could dream up my ideal practice, what would it look like? Can I create it it?

It’s no secret that I love the optical, so building a practice focused around beautiful eyewear was a dream come true. I am also a mom of two boys, and I have a passion for myopia management and pediatrics in general. I decided that these were going to be the pillars of my practice, and I’ve worked hard to focus my growth, marketing, and outreach on those areas. It takes true focus, determination, and discipline not to fall into the trap of trying to do everything, but not do it well — especially early on.

What was my advice for my friend at lunch? I asked him the same question. What brings you joy in optometry and what doesn’t? Over our coffees, we distilled down his true passions in eye care, setting in motion a plan for him to focus more on that, and filter out the noise of the rest.

As you head into the fall and reset for another season of practice, I urge you to look inward and ask yourself the same question. How can you spend more time building the practice that challenges you, supports you, and fulfills you? What do you really enjoy in optometry, and can you find a way to do more of that?

Yours in success,
Jennifer L. Stewart