- 1. Limits on Rising Expectations with Knowledge
- 2. Curb Rising Expectations with Productivity
- 3. “Enough” Halts Rising Expectations
- 4. Compare to Those Less Fortunate
- 5. Competitive Rising Expectations – Be Wary of Winning
- 6. Consumer Rising Expectations – Tune Out Ads
- 7. Don’t Obsess Over Fashion
- 8. Simplify Rising Holiday Expectations
- 9. Resist Rising Expectations with Housing
- 10. Free Others From Rising Expectations
- 11. Deny Your Children and Yourself
Do you feel stressed out? I know I do. Most people I know feel that way. Much of this is from society’s rising expectations of us.
We can reduce the effect of these external forces. It takes clear thinking and a solid strategy.
I learned some solutions from Richard A. Swenson’s book, “The Overload Syndrome.” His book inspired this post.
1. Limits on Rising Expectations with Knowledge
It is difficult for super-achieving physicians to accept that we have limits. We need to become familiar with them and honor them. Despite our programming, we are not superheroes.
You will never know everything in the Prescribers’ Digital Reference (formerly, Physicians’ Desk Reference, PDR). Let alone the contents of the thousands of new journal articles.
No matter how much you study or how smart you are.
We need to realize there is a limit to how much we can do in a day and a limit to the capacity of our knowledge and ability.
2. Curb Rising Expectations with Productivity
Is more always better? Expectations of increasing success, productivity, and prosperity cause chronic frustration and fatigue.
We cannot or should not increase our wRVU performance every single year.
3. “Enough” Halts Rising Expectations
The common idea of enough is “more than we have now.” But, instead, we can define enough as “what we have now.”
Our expectation will be fulfilled. The less you want, the richer you are. If we can focus on needs rather than wants, we will find it easier to reach “enough.”
Keep your spending increases small and invest. Building wealth is simple, but not easy.
4. Compare to Those Less Fortunate
Some of us in the upper-middle-class and upper-class associate with only our peers.
They have beautiful spacious homes. Swimming pools and country club memberships are part of the rising expectations.
As are international flights for vacations. Comparisons are very important.
Who Are Your Peers?
The opinions of others will affect your own view of wealth and success.
My private-practice income was in the top 5 to 10% of my field. Yet, I did not feel rich.
Three of my partners owned their own planes, hotels, and houses exceeding 10,000 sq. ft.
Spend time around those in the lower or lower-middle income range. Get to know your patients and staff better.
Volunteer to help the poor. I always feel rich and grateful after volunteering at a food pantry.
5. Competitive Rising Expectations – Be Wary of Winning
Success has a way of increasing expectations. Our accomplishments can become criteria for our self-esteem if we are not careful.
This can lead to a psychological trap. We may feel we are in a race to keep up with rising expectations of achievement.
It is healthy to have high standards and lofty goals but be aware of your thresholds and limitations.
6. Consumer Rising Expectations – Tune Out Ads
Advertisements are nothing more than roads to discontent and need creation. Wage war against them. The first step may be to turn off your “idiot box.”
Advertisers load TV shows up with commercials. Their intentions are to push your subconscious towards increased spending.
Limit your cable TV viewing. Use TiVo or DVR to avoid ads. Pay extra for ad-free games, Kindle, apps, and Hulu.
Watch expenses on big-ticket items the most.
7. Don’t Obsess Over Fashion
Our assumptions and opinions of others affect our buying habits. They influence our choice of cars, clothes, furniture, carpeting, appliances, and cell phones.
Don’t feel compelled to spend money to keep up with fashion. Use your own judgment and critical thinking skills.
It will save you a fortune. Newer is not always better. Especially with the first round of new technology devices.
Buy based on utility rather than status. You may suffer from fashion mediocrity, but you will save a fortune in the process.
8. Simplify Rising Holiday Expectations
Sometimes I feel that between November and January I am living in one big commercial.
Christmas is now promoted as a buying sport that starts well before Thanksgiving. We spend a fortune on birthdays, engagements, weddings, funerals, and Christmas.
Scale them back 50%. You will not notice any drop in quality of life.
We would enjoy holidays more if they were simpler, less stressful, and less costly.
You don’t need to obsess over expenses or a budget to become rich.
9. Resist Rising Expectations with Housing
The floor plan of new homes far exceeds the space required. I am not advocating for tiny houses. Although that can be a reasonable choice.
No one needs 10,000 sq. ft. – not uncommon among physician houses.
Realtors, neighbors, colleagues, and bankers talk us into McMansions. Some will tell you that because you can afford a bigger mortgage, you should.
Don’t let that argument put you into too much house. Be conscious about spending money in a way that boosts your happiness.
10. Free Others From Rising Expectations
When we put expectations on others they return the favor. This creates reciprocity of high expectations.
When we cut others some slack, they will do the same for us. This is true with administrators, colleagues, friends, and our spouse.
11. Deny Your Children and Yourself
We seem to have a society steeped in entitlement thinking. The world does not owe us a living. We are all in danger of spoiling our children.
The upper-middle class, like physicians, want to share their success with their children. In the end, this can cause more damage than benefit.
Their material expectations are set high. Many expect to start out where their parents ended up. Realize it took decades of hard work and saving to get there.
I worked to create a sense of scarcity and deprivation within my home. I do not want us all to feel rich.
That is part of the reason why I have money diverted into investments from each check. It creates a sense of adequate resources, but not excessive wealth.
We live in a rich nation with advanced technology and luxury everywhere. It is easy for us to get soft.
Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
Consider denying yourself. Could you skip coffee for a few days and tolerate a headache?
How about a little less sleep for a few days?
Ever try fasting? Could you exercise for an hour a day for the next two weeks?
Could you go outside without a coat?
Of course, you could do these things.
Ancient Idea That Still Works
You can then return to your regular routine. The strength of your character will be palpable. Pride and gratitude will outweigh any sense of deprivation.
Seneca (a stoic 2,000 years ago) advocated for this technique. It still works to improve our sense of well-being.
What about you? Are you stressed about not meeting rising expectations?
How do you fight against that? Do you have tools you could share to improve contentment for others?
The children of physicians certainly can have issues with entitlement. I know I have been a lot more lenient financially with my daughter because it really is hard to resist her asking for something when in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t cost that much.
But I try to set limits and make her accountable for her money.
The enough concept is important because there is always someone higher than your status that will make you never be satisfied if that is what you are trying to become.
Xrayvsn recently posted…Tiptoe Through The Tulips
Xrayvsn,
I really struggle with this one. I grew up very poor. I’m glad to be able to financially provide for my children. They have more than just a roof over their head and a full belly. They enjoy safety, travel, educational opportunities, high-tech toys, sports, and tutors.
There is a risk all the resources will spoil them and reduce their drive. I was ambitious and “hungry” partly because I wanted a better life for myself in the future.
Provide well. Share. But don’t spoil.
Where do we draw the line? Private school? European vacation? Is a cell phone okay, as long as it isn’t an iPhone X? I’m not sure. My wife and I make it up as we go and hope for the best.
I love lacking ambition. It is a simple and enjoyable way to live. I recommend it to anyone with an open mind.
I realized a long time ago that stuff and status did not matter to me….
My children are the same…
We could all benefit from being more like you guys, MB.
It is rare to hear that among doctors.
A lot of the good stuff of my life came from my persistence and killer work ethic. It is tough to give that up.
Fortunately, my wife and I are not too materialistic. Frugality seems easy and natural to us.
Our biggest drives are internal rather than external.
Great post, WD.
I think a huge part of this is simply learning to say “no”. It is really hard for a group of people who said yes to a ton of things to get to where they are. I know this is a challenge for me, even after I adopted my “Hell, Yes” policy.
“Pride and gratitude will outweigh any sense of deprivation.” That is an awesome quote.
Learning to be content really is the super power to all of this. Combine that with the power of learning to live by your own expectations (and no those of others) and true freedom can be found.
TPP,
I’m learning the beauty of a well-said “No!”
Saying “yes” has brought me a lot of wonderful things in my life, so it is hard to switch. But the more I say NO (strategically) the more my life seems to improve.
I’m actually setting a very ambitious goal of doing less. It doesn’t come naturally to me to cut back. I have to put “cut back my to-do lists X amount” to actually make it happen. Strange, I know. But a lot of doctors and high achievers can relate.
Great article Wealthy Doc. Since leaving my full time banking job I have spent a lot of time identifying and focusing on my values. While it took awhile (old habits are hard to break) the quality of my life and thinking has greatly improved. Meaning for me is no longer derived from who owns the biggest house, who drives the fanciest car, who has the biggest title, or who has the most money. Those things do not matter to me anymore, and my life is so much better for it. These days I just putter around finding ways to help people and that is where the fun is for me.
Mike Drak,
I can relate.
I thought everything would be so easy after I cut back to part-time. I mean I would have tons of free time and plenty of money to enjoy it. What could be hard about that?
The transition from over-packed structured work hours to blocks of free-time was a big one. It wasn’t that I had nothing to do and was bored. Quite the opposite. I had so many interests and ways of spending my time that it flew by. I realized I didn’t want to waste my time and life. I needed to become more strategic. For me, that meant clarifying my values. Then making goals from those values. Then projects and tasks and schedules from that. It was all new to me since I’ve just been following a standard school-to-job program that had been laid out for me.
I can relate to setting my own priorities and helping people how and when I want to. You and I think a lot alike. I’m sure you too get strange looks when you turn down some shiny new toy or job opportunity. Our cultural pressures are fierce. It takes clarity of thinking and strong resolve for us to do something a little different with our time and life.
I just ignore the noise and don’t give an F. It may take a bit of self-confidence, maybe cockiness and stubbornness. But I know who I am, what I’m all about and really don’t care what anyone else thinks or does as long as myself and my family is taken care of, I meet reasonable expectations of society and work, and I don’t cause any harm to anyone. I value simplicity in life which helps matters greatly, try to think critically and for myself, while trying to keep a broad open perspective.
I love it, JSA.
We need more people like you!
Great advice, WD. My experience with cutting back is similar to yours: I’ve never had so many fun things competing for my time that bring me joy.
Looking at your list, every doc should be able to find one or two items that fit their specific super powers. Mine, for example, is eschewing fashion.
Gratitude as a practice is good for the soul. Thanks for sharing these tips for success,
CD
P.S. Enjoyed your interview on Xrayvsn!
Crispy Doc recently posted…Does Working Part-Time Make You A Better Doctor?
Crispy Doc,
I’m glad you like it. Some of those tips will resonate with certain individuals, but not all.
Like you, I have learned the importance of gratitude. Each morning I think of a few things and people that I’m grateful for. It doesn’t have to be a long list or be written down. But even basking in gratitude for a minute has a positive impact on an entire day. Amazing stuff.
And as you probably notice about me. I too don’t spend a lot of time or money on fashion!
I enjoyed the X-ray treatment, even though I felt a bit exposed. Xrayvsn does an amazing job with his interviews.
This post reads like a how to for living with purpose and pursuing true happiness. Well done WD!
Thanks, Psy-Fi MD
It is easier said than done. But it is worth striving for.
This post spoke to me greatly. Contentment, gratitude and generosity are 3 principles that I’m extremely passionate about. Contentment may be the most important. It helps us put things in perspective. Coming from a 3rd world country with so much lack around me helps me navigate the consumerist culture I now find myself immersed in. Comparison is the thief of joy, so I never try to compare. You know why? Because someone would always make more than you, be more than you, do more than you and give more than you. But none of that should take away your own joys and happiness! As it is, most of us are living a wonderful life….if only we can pause and reflect on it. Great post WD!
ImmigrantFinances,
I’m so glad this resonated with you.
Growing up poor has helped me be grateful for my material blessings. There will always be someone richer, taller, etc. It is tough to not compare.
I try to remember where I came from and all I have to be thankful for. That helps.
But of course, sometimes I forget and start comparing myself to Jim Dahle or some other impossible standard.
The less you want, the richer you are. It’s really a wise idea. However, few people can do that. So, life becoming more stressful for many people.
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