When “success” doesn’t really feel the best way you thought it will
Let’s be actual for a second.
You spent years grinding by college, coaching, sleepless nights, delayed gratification, and unattainable schedules, all in pursuit of the dream: turning into a physician. The letters after your title. The respect. The revenue. The soundness.
After which… you bought there.
And certain, there have been moments of delight and deep satisfaction. The primary time somebody referred to as you “physician.” The primary life you saved. The primary actual paycheck. You made it.
However then one thing surprising occurred. That feeling of arrival didn’t final. Actually, as soon as the adrenaline wore off and the routines settled in, you began questioning: “Is that this it?” It’s not that you simply’re ungrateful… not even shut. It’s simply that someplace alongside the best way, you started to really feel the tug. The load of all of it. The grind. The stress. The fixed trade-offs. The creeping thought that perhaps you don’t need extra anymore. Possibly you simply need much less.
Much less chaos.
Much less busy-ness.
Much less of a life that appears nice on paper however doesn’t really feel nice to dwell.
And extra time, house, and freedom to be absolutely you, whoever that’s as of late. If any of that sounds acquainted, this is perhaps an important mindset shift you may make: You could be a physician and likewise a complete lot extra. Let’s discuss how.
Disclaimer: This text is for informational and academic functions solely and doesn’t represent monetary, authorized, or funding recommendation. Any funding entails danger, and it is best to seek the advice of your monetary advisor, legal professional, or CPA earlier than making any funding selections. Previous efficiency shouldn’t be indicative of future outcomes. The creator and related entities disclaim any legal responsibility for loss incurred on account of using this materials or its content material.
1. The Arrival Fallacy: When “I’ll be pleased when…” by no means ends
Let’s rewind.
Bear in mind again in med college, pondering, “If I can simply survive this, issues will relax in residency…”?
Then in residency, it was, “As soon as I’m an attending, life will really feel simpler.”
Then got here non-public observe or lecturers or hospital employment and the brand new “subsequent”: accomplice monitor, the home, the youngsters, the upgraded automotive, the dream trip. Every step felt like progress. However every got here with extra tasks, extra expectations, and one way or the other… no more peace.
That’s what psychologists name the arrival fallacy. It’s the assumption that happiness is ready for you simply across the subsequent nook. The concept in case you simply get there, every thing will lastly really feel proper. However this is what I’ve discovered, each personally and from working with 1000’s of physicians:
There isn’t any magical “there.”
And worse, chasing it too lengthy leaves you feeling such as you’re working on a treadmill the place the pace retains growing however you are not really getting wherever you need to go. You would possibly even attain some extent the place your life appears to be like wildly profitable by each metric… however deep down, you’re feeling disconnected. Trapped. Out of sync with what you thought this might really feel like.
It’s a tough realization, particularly while you’ve sacrificed a lot to get right here. However step one to altering the sport is recognizing you’re enjoying the improper one.
As a result of in case your complete life is constructed round arriving at “sometime,” you’ll at all times miss out on in the present day.
2. Increasing Your Id: You’re not “simply” something
Right here’s the half nobody instructed you in med college:
The most important limitation most physicians face isn’t their scientific data, their incomes potential, and even their time.
It’s their id.
Most of us stroll round with a deeply ingrained perception. I’m a physician. That’s who I’m. That’s what I do.
And hey, that id has served us properly. It’s how we navigated ten years of coaching, earned belief, and constructed a significant profession. However over time, that id can develop into a field. One which feels smaller and smaller, particularly after we begin dreaming about life outdoors the hospital.
I hear it on a regular basis from docs who need to begin a enterprise, spend money on actual property, take a sabbatical, or just work much less:
“However I don’t understand how to do this.”
“I’m not wired that method.”
“That’s not who I’m.”
However right here’s the reality. You’re not simply a physician.
You are additionally a problem-solver, a frontrunner, a decision-maker, a learner. You’re resourceful, analytical, compassionate, and gritty as hell.
And guess what? These traits don’t simply apply in medication. They translate in all places.
Wish to begin investing? You’ve already discovered easy methods to do due diligence and handle danger.
Wish to construct a enterprise? You’ve been managing complexity and making high-stakes selections for years.
Wish to be extra current with your loved ones or pursue your artistic passions? You have already got the self-discipline. Now you simply want the margin.
The one actual shift is increasing your story.
As a substitute of claiming “I’m simply a physician,” you begin saying issues like:
- “I’m a physician and an entrepreneur.”
- “I’m a doctor and an actual property investor.”
- “I’m somebody who’s constructing freedom and alignment on my phrases.”
If you change the way you see your self, you modify what you consider is feasible. And from there? The whole lot else begins to shift.
3. You Don’t Must Burn It All Right down to Construct One thing Higher
Let me be clear.
This isn’t about abandoning medication or strolling away from a profession you’ve labored so onerous for. Except that’s what you really need. It’s about giving your self permission to query the default path and as a substitute, construct one thing extra intentional. It’s about transferring from autopilot to alignment.
So typically, we predict our solely choices are:
- Keep within the grind and be “accountable,” or
- Stop every thing, begin over, and danger all of it.
However there’s a 3rd path. It’s the one I’ve chosen, and I assist others stroll it too.
You possibly can create optionality. You do this by increase passive revenue streams, exploring aspect ventures, and designing a life the place your id isn’t solely tied to your work badge or name schedule. You slowly create house, financially, emotionally, and mentally, to make selections from a spot of freedom, not worry.
That may appear like:
- Taking one much less shift a month to be current along with your children
- Constructing an actual property portfolio that covers your fundamental bills
- Launching that course, guide, or product you’ve got been dreaming about
- Saying no to issues that not align, and sure to issues that gentle you up
And right here’s the good half. You don’t must have all of it found out proper now. You simply must take one aligned step. Each step in the fitting course creates momentum. And momentum is a game-changer.
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Ultimate Ideas
So right here’s the large concept.
Wanting much less doesn’t make you weak. It means you’re waking up.
You’re waking as much as the concept that success isn’t about accumulating extra. It’s about aligning with what really issues. You’re realizing that success isn’t discovered at some distant milestone. It’s created by presence, objective, and priorities that replicate your values. You’re recognizing that your white coat is a part of your id, however not the entire story.
And in case you’re feeling such as you’re meant for one thing extra… or perhaps one thing much less… you’re not alone. There’s a complete group of us right here who’ve felt that very same tug. We’re constructing lives of freedom, alignment, and intentionality.
Not completely. Not in a single day. However collectively. You are a physician… however that’s not all you might be.
This put up is for academic functions solely and to not be thought-about monetary recommendation. As at all times, do your individual due diligence earlier than making any funding selections.
Had been these useful in any method? Be sure to join the e-newsletter and be part of the Passive Earnings Docs Fb Group for extra physician-tailored content material.
Peter Kim, MD is the founding father of Passive Earnings MD, the creator of Passive Actual Property Academy, and affords weekly schooling by his Monday podcast, the Passive Earnings MD Podcast. Be part of our group on the Passive Earnings Doc Fb Group.
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