Balancing the Grind with Dr. Ricky Sia, Medical Director of Eleventh Heaven

Dr Ricky Sia is the Medical Director at Eleventh Heaven, a boutique non-surgical cosmetic medicine clinic based in Brisbane.

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

I am the medical director of Eleventh Heaven, a boutique non-surgical cosmetic medicine clinic in Brisbane with special focus on facial artistry & design utilising cosmetic injectables, threadlifts and skin refinement with laser skin treatment. 

My background stems from internal/hospital medicine and I underwent training in the United Kingdom and Australia. My experience has helped to shape my communication, patient care and empowerment that form the foundation of Eleventh Heaven.

I like sharing my understanding and experience of medical aesthetics with my patients and facilitating their journey of beauty lifestyle enhancement to feeling happier, more confident and more refreshed. 

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

As a clinician and proceduralist, my typical workday involves me seeing patients to consult, formulate treatment plans and to perform non-surgical procedures such as cosmetic injectables, threadlifts and skin laser treatment in appropriate candidates. 

As an administrator, I am also responsible to advance the characteristic excellencies of Eleventh Heaven and to oversee the clinic, including the clinic presentation, clinic-patient communication, to provide staff support and guidance.

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

The bulk of aesthetic medicine involves one being a proceduralist so remote working is not possible or practical. Within limitations, it is however possible to have a telehealth consult for our interstate patients prior to them traveling to see us physically. 

The administrative and managerial aspects can of course be attended remotely but personally I prefer to have these completed during clinic hours at the clinic in order to have a healthy work-life balance.

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

With my previous experience in hospital medicine, I have learnt to work efficiently and efficaciously in a team to complete allocated tasks during work hours. 

To me, a healthy work-life balance is very important. Although I often will gather ideas or inspirations to further advance Eleventh Heaven when I am at home, having a walk or travelling, my principle has always been to bring home minimal or no administrative tasks so I that can dedicate my time for my other passions, spend time with my golden retriever or to socialise. 

To achieve a good work-life balance, I will firstly categorise and attend to matters in priority order. Secondly, I greatly value efficiency so I continue to work at a fast pace like I used to during my hospital life (except for my consultations and procedures) but under no circumstances that means sloppiness as results must still be delivered with accuracy in a timely fashion.

I think these principles have always allowed me to leave work with me knowing all jobs have been completed and meticulously followed up. Thereby, once I have left work, I can reassure myself to resume my preferred lifestyle and routines. 

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

I have started strength training with Matthew Everett-Jones from Biologic Labs. This is one of the biggest commitments that I have made in the last 12 months, as I had never participated in many sports in the past.

Strength training with Matthew has sparked a brand new insight and appreciation of the art of physical training. It has also taught me self-discipline and mental strength in a brand new faculty. 

I hold myself accountable for turning up to training sessions (with or without Matthew), committing to push the boundaries of my physical and mental capacities and to be adherent to my dietary requirements. 

Over time, I have learnt to challenge my mental faculty to overcome doubts and insecurities to learn to be athletic by constantly reminding myself of the goals and milestones I have set for myself.

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

I usually prefer fiction but my best friend recommended a book named Principles by Ray Dalio and I really like it.

This book talks about some rules for work and life that one of the most successful investors, Ray Dalio, has acquired through his career in finance. It is a beautifully written book with insights on life, work principles, radical truth and transparency.

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

For personal and professional reasons, I am a worshipper of healthy and radiant skin, as I believe healthy skin reflects our physical and mental wellbeing.

As part of my lifestyle routine, I religiously treat my skin regularly with my favourite no downtime skin laser device, named Clear + Brilliant from Solta Medical. This simple, effective and proactive treatment is also well loved by our patients in order to keep the skin looking its youthful best.

I firmly trust that good skin habits will not only confer protective effects but also reflect vitality and positivity.

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

With the challenges that we are currently facing with COVID-19 pandemic, I would be interested to read or learn about anyone who can contribute to the success of disease treatment/control and those who assist to rebuild our severely impacted socio-economic status.

I would like to gain some insight into their mindset and philosophies regarding their hard work, challenges faced and what drives them to strive for success during this unusually stressful period of time.

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

Be passionate and enjoy what you do – you will find enthusiasm and joy that not only you and your colleagues will benefit from, but your business encounters or clients will also appreciate your positive vibes. 

Be efficient and learn to prioritise – give your best effort, prioritise daily tasks and complete them in a timely manner. 

Be humble but do not be shy to ask for support – there is no need to be stressed or to feel helpless and isolated.

Give your absolute best at work. Then once you have finished work, be your absolute best to look after you and enjoy life just like you are meant to. 

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