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More tactical strategies to protect your energy and prevent burnout
Arti Shah, OD, FAAO
Feb. 6, 2026
In part one of my series on strategic solutions for female ODs navigating career and life integration, I shared why I was drawn to a profession that pairs scientific rigor with the flexibility to grow both a career and family. Even so, my journey—and that of many women I know—shows persistent challenges in pay disparities, societal stigma and the juggling act of patient care and parenting.
Drawing on personal experience and the ALIGN survey of 46 professionally engaged female optometrists, I’ll detail four more strategies women use to achieve greater balance and satisfaction in their careers.
SUSTAINABLE WORK PRACTICES
There was a season in my life when every day felt like a marathon, and no matter how hard I pushed I had a constant sense of falling behind. In both private practice and industry, the pressure to be “always on” makes it tempting to answer those midnight emails or take work home every weekend. Eventually I learned that this pace wasn’t just unsustainable—it was unhealthy.
Building sustainable habits, like sticking to set work hours, blocking focused time and batching tasks, required some trial and error (and honest conversations with my team and family) to help me manage the dual demands of my career and personal life. It’s still not perfect, but the alternative is burnout and a loss of joy.
Why It Matters
Adopting sustainable work practices is essential for long-term health and satisfaction. When we set realistic boundaries with work hours and tasks, we free ourselves to adapt to life’s changes—be it parenthood, eldercare or personal transitions—without feeling like we must sacrifice our careers in the process.
Practical Tools
I recently started using Asana (and Trello next) to streamline my workflow and track my projects. I’d be lost without shared Google Calendars and Cozi to manage my family affairs.
PRIORITIZE SELF-CARE AND WELL-BEING
I’ve learned that when self care takes a back seat, everything else eventually suffers. Like so many women, I used to put my patients’ needs, my family’s needs and the relentless daily to-do list ahead of taking care of myself. But that approach quickly catches up—chronic stress, fatigue, lack of focus and more serious health problems start to surface. Experience has taught me that self care is the foundation that allows me to show up at my best. Prioritizing my physical, mental and emotional health has been crucial to my resilience.
Why It Matters
Consistent self care helps improve concentration, reduce anxiety and boost joy. It also sets a powerful example for others that women’s health and well-being are valuable and nonnegotiable.
Practical Tools
I use apps like Peloton, MyFitnessPal and AllTrails for exercise; Calm, Headspace, Breethe for mindfulness; Reflectly for journaling; Amazon Kindle for reading; Spotify, Amazon or Apple Music for tunes. I also make sure to schedule “me time,” just like I would for a patient or a meeting, so self care becomes part of my routine.
BUILD AND ENGAGE YOUR COMMUNITY
It’s all too common to feel the pressure to handle every challenge alone. Many optometrists hesitate to ask for help, worried about appearing incapable or simply not wanting to burden others. Seeking support from peers, engaging in professional networks and finding mentors can turn this feeling around while providing a sense of belonging. Those who make the effort to connect often discover that many colleagues have faced remarkably similar challenges and are quick to offer practical advice, empathy or a listening ear.
Why It Matters
None of us are meant to go through it alone. Community builds confidence, shares resources and provides both practical and emotional backup when life gets tough. It reminds us that our struggles and successes are part of a larger story and that collective strength can drive positive changes in the profession and beyond.
Practical Tools
For me, the American Academy of Optometry, work colleagues and my husband have provided invaluable support, and joining online and in-person practitioner groups, like Women In Optometry and ODs on Facebook, keeps me connected to a network of colleagues who understand my passion and pressures.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Financial concerns are a common source of stress—student loan debt, planning for family changes or grappling with persistent pay gaps can cast a long shadow over even the most rewarding aspects of optometric practice. Few optometrists receive formal training in business or personal finance, and navigating these topics can feel daunting. Learning to approach financial management with the same intention and diligence as clinical skills not only reduces anxiety but empowers practitioners to make more confident decisions.
Why It Matters
When we have a handle on our finances, life feels more secure. We can make better decisions for ourselves and our families, navigate career shifts with confidence and negotiate from a place of strength.
Practical Tools
QuickBooks has helped me better understand my practice numbers, and working with a financial advisor has helped me define and clarify future goals. ADP and Gusto are useful for payroll, and I always recommend an annual sit-down to review financial health and plan next steps.
ADDITIONAL TIPS ON ACHIEVING WORK-LIFE ALIGNMENT
- Clarify your “why” regularly to stay motivated and focused.
- Set realistic expectations for yourself and clearly communicate them to others.
- Treat personal time as non-negotiable—block it off in your calendar.
- Be open to asking for help and investing in resources that save time.
- Engage in regular self-reflection to adjust your strategies as your career and life evolve.
Female optometrists are redefining what success means by embracing flexibility, setting clear boundaries and leveraging technology and community support. By being honest about our challenges, sharing solutions and standing together, we can create careers—and lives—that align with our ambitions and values. I invite you to make small changes, ask for support and give yourself credit for how far you’ve come.
I want to extend my sincere thanks to the friends and colleagues who participated in the ALIGN survey, to my husband and daughter for their patience and support throughout the writing process and to the AAO Merton C. Flom Leadership Academy for inspiring and encouraging me to pursue this work.
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Arti Shah, OD, FAAO, holds the position of Professional and Academic Affairs Senior Manager at CooperVision, maintains an active optometric practice within a group private practice setting and holds a medical staff position at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. A graduate from UC Berkeley School of Optometry, she completed her fellowship training in Cornea and Contact Lens at SUNY. Dr. Shah is a recognized member of numerous professional organizations including the California Optometric Association, LA County Optometric Society, AOA, the International Keratoconus Academy and is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. To contact her: artishahod@yahoo.com |
