Goals and Plans

Goals and Plans

As many of you know, I have lived most of my life as an achievement junkie. Day in and day out, I measured myself on the durability of my accomplishments. Strangely, the more successful I became, the less happy I was. Or maybe not unhappy, but it never seemed that getting to the mountaintop was as fun anymore. There was always a higher peak to climb. Thus, in half retirement, I have been quite intentional in trying to release myself from this self fulfilling spiral. I still have goals and plans. The voracity of those, however, is much more fleeting.

Here is what I have been thinking about.

Career/Medicine

Although not always apparent in this blog, I do still love the promise of practicing medicine. The shear diagnostic challenge coupled with the possibility of helping those in need is very enticing. Thus, I think it is unlikely that I will be quitting any time soon.

My current role as a hospice medical director suites me perfectly. I get all the benefits of being a doctor with many less hassles:

• No direct patient care.
• Only 15 hours or so a week of on location work (the rest is by phone call).
• A great group of colleagues who I meet with weekly and discuss patient care.
• Routine and schedule.
• A steady pay check.

My goals and plans for the next few years are to maintain this position as close as possible to it’s current form. It passes the lottery test. I would still do this job if I won the lottery.

Change, however, is inevitable. When you work on someone else’s dime, you are always a slave to their whims. My job may change. My company may no longer need me.

There are things I can’t control.

Leisure

My goals and plans are simple. To spend as much time as possible with my family. My kids are 11 and 14. These are important years. I want to be available to them and be present in their lives. This is part of the great advantage of my modified schedule. I can be there in the morning when they leave for school, and be back in the afternoon when they return.

My wife and I like to exercise. Take long walks. Enjoy nice weather and spending time together. Although we want to travel, at this point in our lives, it is not an all consuming need. Maybe three to four weeks a year is just fine.

Eventually, when the kids go off to college, I am hoping that we are more location independent. Because I enjoy my work, I suspect by the time that occurs, I will be able to perform most of my duties virtually.

That would be the best of both worlds.

Creativity

I will keep writing this blog. This is the experimental lab in which I try out my best ideas. It is my chart of accountability in which I can review from time to time to see how I am doing. It has also become part of my social structure. Not only online, but real life friends who I see from time to time. This blog is also my daily meditation. A habit to bring calm and introspection.

The What’s Up Next Podcast continues to grow. Part of my goals and plans are to continue the public conversation about next level financial independence topics. This venture is much less personal than writing the blog, but no less me by an means. I am sure we will change up the format from time to time, but panel discussions are powerful and necessary. I hope to keep having them.

My goals and plans are to have my public speaking resume continue to grow. This is the place I can speak openly and honestly about both medicine and finance. It is my chance to articulate to the masses my unique beliefs regarding our healthcare system and its foibles. I have a message about what being a doctor has meant to me. I hope to share it, and tell my stories.

Final Thoughts

Although spurning the achievement treadmill, I still have plans and goals for the future. I plan to continue to work as long as it is comfortable. Spend time with my family. And create.

I’m thinking that will keep me busy.