The Mindset Shift IMGs Must Make in 2026
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Every IMG knows the checklist:
USMLEs.
USCE.
Letters of recommendation.
Research.
Applications.
And yet, year after year, some IMGs move forward while others—equally hardworking—stay stuck, but why?
I’ve been coaching IMGs since 2019, and I’ve reached a conclusion many people don’t expect: the difference isn’t effort, intelligence, or even credentials. It’s mindset.
And no—this isn’t self-help fluff. It’s strategy.
The issue isn’t your circumstances—it’s what you’ve decided they mean
Being an IMG is a fact.
Needing a visa is a fact.
Training outside the U.S. is a fact.
Having exam setbacks is a fact.
But what holds IMGs back isn’t the facts—it’s the story you attach to them.
When circumstances become identity, you start lowering your own ceiling:
“This specialty isn’t realistic for me.”
“I should just take what I can get.”
“I shouldn’t aim too high.”
Those thoughts don’t stay private. They show up in your decisions, your confidence, and your application.
Your inner dialogue isn’t just emotional—it’s strategic
Every action you take begins with a thought.
What you apply to.
Who you reach out to for mentorship.
How you show up in rotations.
How you speak about yourself in interviews.
If your inner dialogue is rooted in fear, your strategy will be too.
That’s why some IMGs over-prepare, over-explain, and still underperform—not because they aren’t capable, but because they’re operating from anxiety instead of clarity.
Self-sabotage doesn’t look dramatic—it looks reasonable at the time
For IMGs, self-sabotage often sounds like:
“I’m not ready yet.”
“Let me wait one more cycle.”
“I probably won’t be competitive anyway.”
It’s ruling yourself out before anyone else gets the chance.
The mindset reset I want you to make in 2026
In this episode of the IMG Roadmap Podcast, I walk you through:
How to separate facts from fear
How to identify the inner dialogue shaping your decisions
A simple writing exercise to expose what’s actually holding you back
How to reframe without denying your reality
Why mindset work must come before strategy—not after
Ready to do this differently in 2026?
If you’re tired of working hard without clarity…
If you feel capable but constantly unsure…
If you want your strategy to finally match your potential…
Listen to the full episode here
Start planning your year with intention:
https://drninalum.com/calendar
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