People often ask me, especially now as my tenure as Lee Health's president and CEO comes to a close at the end of September, what career advice I can offer.
My answer is simple: Set goals, but don't become so focused on them that you miss the opportunities in your peripheral vision — the ones you never imagined could change your career.
Careers are rarely linear. The path often includes unexpected turns, and sometimes those turns lead to places far better than the destination you originally had in mind.
When I look back on my own career, many of the most meaningful moments weren't part of a master plan. They came from opportunities that appeared when I was willing to say yes.
One of those moments came when Jim Nathan, Lee Health's former president and CEO, asked me to join the leadership team and lead Cape Coral Hospital. I had never run a hospital before. It was a significant opportunity and a new challenge, and I decided to say yes. That decision changed the course of my career in ways I could not have anticipated at the time.
I've also tried to approach my career by focusing on the work in front of me rather than the next job or promotion. In every role, my goal was simply to do the best job I could. I found that when I focused on doing my best work, continuing to learn, and helping others, new opportunities often followed.
One lesson I've learned is that growth often begins before we feel ready. If an opportunity challenges you, don't dismiss it simply because it wasn't part of your plan. Consider what you might learn, who you might meet and how the experience could prepare you for what comes next.
As I reflect on my own journey, I'm grateful not only for the goals I pursued, but also for the unexpected opportunities that shaped my path in ways I could never have anticipated.
So, pursue your goals with purpose — but stay curious. Be open to new experiences, unexpected challenges and opportunities that stretch you.
Some of the most rewarding chapters of your career may be the ones you never planned.
Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA is the president and CEO of Lee Health, Southwest Florida's major destination for health care offering acute care, emergency care, rehabilitation and diagnostic services, health and wellness education, and community outreach and advocacy programs. Visit LeeHealth.org to learn more.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Lee Health: The opportunities you don't see coming