015. Not What It's Cracked Up to Be

Imagine being an orthopedic surgeon. You’re a well-respected member of your community, your work has true lasting impact and meaning, and your skills are in high demand (you make bank). Not to mention it just sounds cool, doesn’t it? 

When leaving my role as a medical device rep and began to spread that news with the doctors I shared an OR with for the last 4 years, the inevitable question came up, “well what are you doing now?”

Most assumed I was transitioning to another company within the field. They were shocked to learn I was leaving behind this lucrative career to become a land investor. However, once the initial surprise wore off, we had some of the most open and honest conversations around career choices. Many were intrigued by my new endeavor, with a hint of jealousy in their eyes, perhaps thinking, “I wish I could do something like that too.”

I conducted a little experiment to gauge how many of them still enjoyed being surgeons or if they regretted their career path.

Roughly 7 out of 10 admitted if they had to do it all over again, they would do something much different. 

One said he almost joined the Navy to fly planes. His acceptance into the Navy arrived  the same week as his acceptance into medical school. Looking back, he wished he was in the air instead of the OR. 

Another expressed regret about not pursuing a career in law or finance, claiming he could have made just as much money with a lot less headache and time. 

One even told his kid to become “anything but a doctor. Go be a plumber, you’ll at least be much happier.”

The journey was explained to me like this…years of intense study and sacrifice during their youth, followed by grueling hours in medical school, residency, and finally, entering the workforce at the bottom of the totem pole, meaning your first few holidays will be spent at the hospital instead of at home. 

Upon graduation, the debt burden is enormous. Therefore you have to work to pay this down and keep your astronomical new insurance coverage. And the healthcare system in the US isn’t the easiest business to be in and ensure always getting paid. They perform operations for free. You might work for yourself but be a “slave to the hospital,” as one surgeon put it to me. 

It’s a case of decades long delayed gratification, believing each next step is going to be the one where it gets better. But by that the improved pay and hours materialize, these docs are too burned out and jaded, mired in the sunk cost of their profession.

However, not everyone shared this sentiment. Some doctors couldn’t imagine being anywhere but the OR. They want to fix every broken hip in their zip code and the next. They live for it and that’s awesome to see. 

My point with all this: reality often diverges from expectations. Said another way, it’s not always what it’s cracked up to be. 

This holds true for almost any endeavor in life. There are always trade offs. 

Looking for a new job and have been eying a company? Sure, it might be a lot better than your current situation, but they still have toxic people and terrible clients. People are people no matter where you go. 

Dream of owning a business and being your own boss? Sure, it has a ton of perks but the risks involved will keep you up at night. You will work well more than 40 hours a week for a very inconsistent paycheck or none at all for an unknown period of time.

Lusting over the idea of finding a new partner? Of course there could be a better match for you out there. In fact, there probably is, statistically speaking. However, your “perfect match” comes with their own set of quirks, insecurities, and unbreakable habits that will get under your skin. Just give it time. 

This isn’t to discourage pursuing new opportunities; they are worth the risks involved. I’m just trying to set realistic expectations, as I do with myself, every time I let shiny object syndrome take over. 

Appreciate where you are and what you have. Find the joy in your present circumstance and keep methodically building your future. Taking intentional next steps to ensure it’s where you want to go. 

And the next time you see a guy in scrubs and a white coat, just realize their reality might not be as glamorous as it seems.