One Trick Pony vs Trained Assassin

Last I counted there were 14 lawyers in my family including my Dad, uncles, cousins, and brothers in law.  The number always seems to be increasing.  There is one pharmacist and one physician and a scattering of other occupations.  It seems absurd that there would be so many attorneys in the same family but I digress.  Analyzing who makes a better golfer is difficult but I think that it comes down to two key points.

1. Trained Assassins- Both MDs and JDs are highly competitive but attorneys are trained assassins. Winning is all they try and do all day long.  It doesn’t matter what they are arguing or doing, lawyers are trained to win.  If they lose then they fail as professionals.  In medicine we understand that we always end up losing and winning doesn’t become our main goal.  Palliation, longevity, and support become our goals.  My brother Brad (almost an attorney if he passes the bar next week) often has the mental advantage when we are tied going into 18. He’s a trained assassin.

2. One Trick Pony- When I started medical school I felt like I was a well rounded human being.  I had several hobbies and liked to play multiple sports.  I soon found out that I needed to focus on golf or else I would be good at nothing in life. Plus I didn’t have the time or money to do do multiple things. I played less in med school and residency than I did at other times in life but my game seemed to improve.  Any free time I had was focused on golf and I gave up a lot of my other hobbies.  In the ER I am considered a “Jack of all trades”.  I gave up this distinction outside of my job long ago. Right now I am a one trick pony.

Many of you would foolishly choose a Trained Assassin over a One Trick Pony.  Assassins do sound much cooler.  I don’t worry about being cool.  My assassin skills are improving with time anyhow.  Today I was one shot down with 2 holes to play and beat my brother Brad by 1.  I’d choose an MD over JD in golf any day.