I’m a Physician… However That’s Not All I Am

When “success” doesn’t really feel the way in which you thought it might

Let’s be actual for a second.

You spent years grinding by way of college, coaching, sleepless nights, delayed gratification, and unimaginable schedules, all in pursuit of the dream: turning into a physician. The letters after your title. The respect. The earnings. The soundness.

After which… you bought there.

And positive, 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 sudden occurred. That feeling of arrival didn’t final. The truth is, 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 way in which, you started to really feel the tug. The burden of all of it. The grind. The strain. 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 reside.

And extra time, house, and freedom to be totally you, whoever that’s lately. If any of that sounds acquainted, this is perhaps an important mindset shift you may make: You could be a physician and in addition a complete lot extra. Let’s speak about 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 you need to seek the advice of your monetary advisor, lawyer, or CPA earlier than making any funding choices. Previous efficiency is just not indicative of future outcomes. The writer and related entities disclaim any legal responsibility for loss incurred on account of the usage of this materials or its content material.

1. The Arrival Fallacy: When “I’ll be blissful when…” by no means ends

Let’s rewind.

Bear in mind again in med college, pondering, “If I can simply survive this, issues will settle down in residency…”?

Then in residency, it was, “As soon as I’m an attending, life will really feel simpler.”

Then got here non-public follow or lecturers or hospital employment and the brand new “subsequent”: associate 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 someway… no more peace.

That’s what psychologists name the arrival fallacy. It’s the idea that happiness is ready for you simply across the subsequent nook. The concept that should you simply get there, the whole lot will lastly really feel proper. However this is what I’ve discovered, each personally and from working with hundreds of physicians:

There is no such thing as a magical “there.”

And worse, chasing it too lengthy leaves you feeling such as you’re operating on a treadmill the place the pace retains rising however you are not really getting wherever you need to go. You may even attain some extent the place your life appears wildly profitable by each metric… however deep down, you are feeling disconnected. Trapped. Out of sync with what you thought this is able to really feel like.

It’s a tough realization, particularly once you’ve sacrificed a lot to get right here. However step one to altering the sport is recognizing you’re taking part in the unsuitable one.

As a result of in case your total life is constructed round arriving at “sometime,” you’ll all the time miss out on immediately.

2. Increasing Your Identification: You’re not “simply” something

Right here’s the half nobody advised you in med college:

The largest limitation most physicians face isn’t their medical information, 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 nicely. 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 once we begin dreaming about life outdoors the hospital.

I hear it on a regular basis from medical doctors who need to begin a enterprise, put money into actual property, take a sabbatical, or just work much less:

“However I don’t know the way to try 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 pacesetter, a decision-maker, a learner. You’re resourceful, analytical, compassionate, and gritty as hell.

And guess what? These traits don’t simply apply in drugs. They translate in all places.

Need to begin investing? You’ve already discovered the right way to do due diligence and handle danger.
Need to construct a enterprise? You’ve been managing complexity and making high-stakes choices for years.
Need 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.”

Once you change the way you see your self, you modify what you imagine is feasible. And from there? All the pieces 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 drugs or strolling away from a profession you’ve labored so arduous for. Until that’s what you actually 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 shifting from autopilot to alignment.

So usually, we expect our solely choices are:

• Keep within the grind and be “accountable,” or
• Give up the whole lot, 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 may create optionality. You try this by build up passive earnings streams, exploring facet 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 choices from a spot of freedom, not concern.

Which 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 best half. You don’t have to have all of it discovered proper now. You simply have to take one aligned step. Each step in the correct course creates momentum. And momentum is a game-changer.

Closing Ideas

So right here’s the large thought.

Wanting much less doesn’t make you weak. It means you’re waking up.

You’re waking as much as the concept 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 way of presence, goal, and priorities that mirror your values. You’re recognizing that your white coat is a part of your id, however not the entire story.

And should 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’re.

This put up is for academic functions solely and to not be thought of monetary recommendation. As all the time, do your personal due diligence earlier than making any funding choices.

Had been these useful in any method? Ensure to join the publication and be a 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 presents weekly training by way of his Monday podcast, the Passive Earnings MD Podcast. Be part of our group on the Passive Earnings Doc Fb Group.

Additional Studying