Friday's Digest - The Newsletter for Doctors & Scientists

Friday's Digest #67

Is It Possible To Work Hard All The Time and Enjoy Life?

For me, “enjoy life” means leisure time without obligations, worries, or schedules.

But such leisure is rare. I can’t seem to have time for it.

December 8th, 2023

Friday's Digest - The Newsletter for Doctors & Scientists

For two decades, I've been developing tools that have improved my practice in medicine, dentistry, and scientific research.

Join me every Friday to discover a new tool you can integrate into your workflow as a doctor, a scientist, or both.

I believe in sharing knowledge, embracing automation, boosting productivity, and finding joy in the process.

Photo by Garrhet Sampson on Unsplash

My Podcast

In a hurry? Don’t feel like reading?

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Preface
Main Article
Readers’ Favorite
Stuff

Preface

This week, I decided to conduct a little experiment on social media.

Creating original content for social media and ensuring it reaches a broad audience is no walk in the park. Often, what we see on these platforms is just reused material from other sources.

What can you do to get your post noticed?

It needs to be catchy, easy to digest, and, above all, brief. A picture or a video helps, and you're better off avoiding links.

So, I went against the grain. I crafted a longer-than-usual post and threw in a couple of links. The result wasn't great. My post didn't reach many people.

But, interestingly, it did bring in more private messages and newsletter subscriptions than my usual posts. It seems to have resonated with a crowd that doesn’t typically engage with my content.

Now, speaking the truth on social media is another ball game.

There's no actual mechanism to ensure honesty. Coming from a culture where everything is openly discussed, adapting to social media's norms has been challenging.

Back home, political differences don't usually distort how we perceive reality.

Both the right and the left-wing see the world through similar lenses, though they differ on how to solve issues.

But social media is a different world.

Take, for instance, the issue of women's organizations denying the rape of Israeli women. I can’t understand how anyone, let alone a member of a women’s organization, can perceive reality in such a distorted manner.

Some things shouldn't be subject to differing opinions. Some things are just wrong.

Yet, social media plays by its own rules. Short posts, images, no links – that's the formula.

Truth, unfortunately, doesn't always fit into this equation.

Number 67.

Main Article

A colleague I deeply respect once told me, "The climb is only tough when you're going uphill."

This advice resonated with me, and I still think about it almost every day.

She mentioned it to me during a week when I juggled medical school, an on-call shift as an oral & maxillofacial surgeon, and wondering if I could squeeze in studying for the USMLE during my call. And don’t forget my research and my private practice.

Back then, “uphill” felt like climbing the Everest.

At that time, “enjoying life” wasn't just a low priority. It wasn't even a possibility.

You're basically on auto-pilot during such intense periods.

Thankfully, that extreme busyness had an expiry date.

Today, life is still busy, but not overwhelmingly so.

Nowadays, I have a choice: push hard at work or take time to enjoy life.

So first, let's define "enjoy life."

Is it about feeling fulfilled with family life, personal growth, and career?

Or is it about leisure – vacations, a nice meal, or a cold beer on a sunny day?

For me, at least currently, “enjoy life” means leisure time without obligations, worries, schedules, or work interruptions.

As a surgeon, such leisure is rare. I can’t seem to have time for it.

This is where the life coaches among my readers will be outraged.

"Don’t you know, Shay?! Not having time is a myth!”

Instead, you should say, "I prioritize leisure low."

In other words, I decided not to allocate time for leisure.

Well, that’s the thing about being a surgeon-scientist.

I feel fulfilled only when I accomplish all of my tasks.

As I undergo a 2-year fellowship, eight hours of sleep every night is a fantasy.

The same goes for regular meals on OR days. It's a constant state of tiredness and hunger.

Could I cut down on work?

Absolutely.

I could opt for 5-hour workdays, four times a week, focusing on small surgical procedures. I could pick my kids up from school, enjoy afternoon jogs, and have relaxed dinners and weekends.

Or, I could become an online teacher, leveraging my experience to guide students in various fields (dental, medicine, science, USMLE). It pays well, and with my 25+ years of teaching experience, it will require minimal effort.

But these options aren’t for me. Why?

Because my heart is elsewhere.

I want to excel in every surgery, constantly learn and document everything (my “second brain”).

I want to bring new treatments from the lab to patients with head and neck cancer.

In my case, these ambitions don't align with the conventional definition of “enjoying life.”

For those wondering what life as a surgeon-scientist entails, it's a choice of sacrifice.

So, can you work really hard and still enjoy life as a surgeon-scientist?

The answer: you'll need to redefine “enjoying life.”

You must let go of adequate sleep, regular meals, leisure, hobbies, and vacations.

You always have the option to step off this demanding way of life for a calmer one.

But if you're passionate about being a surgeon-scientist, a calmer life will probably not be your chosen path.

Readers’ Favorite

“My Second Brain” is one of the most important tools I use on a daily basis. In essence, I document every fact I learn so I can find it later in life.

In issue #64, I explain how. You can read it by clicking here.

Stuff

💡Gear I use - “The Roost Stand” - a portable laptop stand.

Who should consider it?

This stand is ideal for those who frequently work on the go, but crave an office-like setup.

It elevates your laptop to eye level and, when used with a separate keyboard and mouse, transforms any space into a very productive workstation.

If you work in a traditional office or home without needing a mobile office, this product might not be for you.

I carry it in my bag, and it’s up and ready to go in 10 seconds.

At 90$, it’s pricey.

But it's worth watching for sales. For example, it was available for $63 last Black Friday.

Epilogue

That’s it for this issue.

Not dedicating an entire issue to the war felt unnatural to me.

Let me know what you think.

Shay

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