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Balancing the Grind with Dr. Lisa Beckett, Managing Director at Candor Medical

Dr Lisa Beckett is the founder and managing director of Candor, an online platform that allows patients to access comprehensive, evidence-based medical treatments through a simple online form.

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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?

I’m an incessant learner. Since school I’ve always had a passion for knowledge and new skills. I find myself at odd ends when I don’t have an educational goal to strive for, which is why being an entrepreneur has been so exciting – there’s always more to learn! 

Medically I’m a Specialist General Practitioner fellow with the RACGP. I also have a Bachelor of BioMedical Science, a Diploma in Child Health and I’m an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. I teach medical students and junior doctors and I’m involved in education for registrars on the GP training program. I’ve been working in a traditional general practice role for the last eight years which has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. 

I’ve recently taken a detour to launch Candor which is an online medical service that connects patients with qualified GPs and uses technology to enable thorough online consultations. Patients simply fill out an online assessment form which is then reviewed by an Australian GP who provides a tailored treatment plan and prescription. This allows us to provide medical services in innovative ways with the use of technology and AI. 

2) What does a day in your life look like? Can you take us through a recent workday?

My day starts when my baby decides it should, which is usually by 6am. We do a morning pilates workout and have breakfast together before the workday begins. Generally I’ll start by addressing any incoming emails or urgent tasks. 

We often get patient consultations submitted through the night so it’s a priority for me to respond to these as soon as I’m able. Since Candor is a telehealth service, it means we can provide convenient consultations to patients while simultaneously easing the burden on the demand for GPs. 

Between consulting patients I will collaborate with team members or external consultants, work on developing our website and products, engage in marketing and outreach or continue to increase my knowledge in all aspects of business management. No day looks the same. It might be developing a new product or designing new marketing materials, or attending conferences and networking. 

3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?

It does and that’s one of the best things about it. We don’t have a traditional office. Covid has taught us how flexible our work lives can be and I take full advantage of that. Being able to work from home allows me to be present in my sons’ lives and gives me the freedom to structure my day around business and family needs. Which isn’t to say it’s always easy. I’ve had to find some creative solutions to getting everything done with a new baby. Nap times are great for meetings and calls and I’ll often be found typing and feeding simultaneously!

4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?

Work life balance for me is more about doing things with intention, rather than trying to do everything. I had my second son the same week Candor was launched, which in hindsight wasn’t well planned! It’s often hard to take time for myself between the business and being a mum. It’s also hard to ever switch off. 

When you’re working unstructured hours there’s no clear end to the workday, and the mental load of motherhood is always present. I like to focus as much as I can on each task as I’m doing it.

Time with my kids and husband is mindful and I’m fully present, not wanting to miss anything. When I work I set achievable goals and focus, doing my best to not be distracted. The precious moments for self care are genuinely appreciated and valued. I love to paint and draw and will find ways to incorporate this whenever I can.

5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?

My life looks very different today than it did a year ago. I previously had very structured routines with time allocated for each task, but launching a business and having a new baby has certainly made that a challenge.

I exercise first thing in the morning and do some mindfulness or self care before bed each day. I’ll write a to-do list of the day’s tasks by hand to give me focus and I try not to add non-urgent tasks to this. Reviewing this list at the end of the day helps me prioritise what needs to be done, what can wait and what I should delegate. 

6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?

There are a number of medical journals including the AJGP that I keep up to date with, but reading for pleasure has unfortunately taken a backseat these days. When I do get time, I find art books and cookbooks enjoyable, often because I can stop and start wherever I like.

If I had a whole day to just read it would probably be a good thriller. I really enjoyed the IMreasoning podcast when it was running, and No Such Thing as a Fish is always worth a listen for something lighthearted and educational. 

7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?

I love the FitOn app for workouts and I use Bloom for daily mindfulness and self care. In terms of products and gadgets, my day is much improved by dry shampoo and coffee! 

8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?  

I most like to hear from other working mothers who’ve taken risks to start their own businesses or detour from the path. It’s inspiring to talk to women who have found ways to make it work, even with the responsibility of raising a family.

It’s learning from my peers and hearing about how they overcome challenges that I find gives me the most encouragement to continue striving for success, even on the tougher days. 

9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?

Attempting to do everything at once means doing nothing well. I do my best to give all I have to each task, whether it’s a patient consultation or time with my kids. Being mindful in the moment means better work, better relationships and less burnout. 

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About Author

Hey there! I'm Hao, the Editor-in-Chief at Balance the Grind. We’re on a mission to showcase healthy work-life balance through interesting stories from people all over the world, in different careers and lifestyles.