Cautiously optimistic in 2017

[BurnedoutDoc]

The burned out doc has signed a contract on a new job!  It is a setting that will hopefully make her feel less burned out with better staffing and support.  This resulted in a better salary and going back on benefits like 401k match and paid vacations.  Thanks to this forum for encouraging me to keep striving towards a better financial future.

In addition, her spouse just got his bonus for this year and it was larger than expected.  So our family (n=1) is ready to spend (and save!) some money.  Anyone else feeling more secure about their finances?  Any new goals for 2017?  We will probably increase our vacation budget as well as our taxable account contributions.

 

 

[The White Coat Investor]

Congratulations! It's wonderful to hear a success story.

[Complete_newbie]

Yes. Got a goal: Increase income by ~250%

Not sure about my finances though.

 

[hightower]

Congratulations on your new position!  Burn out is such a big problem in our profession and I see it so much more clearly now since recognizing my own burn out last year.  I think the majority of the people I work with in my group are burned out and don't even realize it.

I would say cautiously optimistic adequately describes my outlook for this year as well. I too am transitioning from a job in which I was totally burned out to a hopefully better job later this year.  I'm not signing a contract with them until I get a feel for the new hospital for a few months.  I'll be working as "optional" status which means I can just sign up for a few shifts to start and see how it feels.  SO, we'll see how it goes

[Zaphod]

hightower wrote:

Congratulations on your new position!  Burn out is such a big problem in our profession and I see it so much more clearly now since recognizing my own burn out last year.  I think the majority of the people I work with in my group are burned out and don’t even realize it.

I would say cautiously optimistic adequately describes my outlook for this year as well. I too am transitioning from a job in which I was totally burned out to a hopefully better job later this year.  I’m not signing a contract with them until I get a feel for the new hospital for a few months.  I’ll be working as “optional” status which means I can just sign up for a few shifts to start and see how it feels.  SO, we’ll see how it goes

Click to expand...

Yes, you dont really realize it. You just have a general dislike for the position, see all the bad stuff magnified and feel trapped. It took several years out of residency in my 3.5d/wk position with no call, hospital, etc...to start to enjoy it more. There are still annoying things for sure, but Im no longer burned out...I still dont find it terribly interesting, but its enjoyable enough most of the time. Now working almost 4 days a week so far this year, going well.

Most people are just going through the motions and accept whatever negative state they get as part of the job, but its not! Its terrible and unnecessary and worst of all hurts physicians and patients.

[Wudoc111]

Congrats as well. Exciting time with new job and new friends!

I also felt burned out just 2 months ago and almost threw in the towel but this website and Bogleheads.org did the trick.  I wasn't sure where I was in the rat race but after reading, posting and receiving helpful feedback; I found clarity!  Now with a secure financial strategy, I returned to work with more energy and ready to embrace even more changes in healthcare (well at least until my next ABIM   ).  My patients' unique stories also keeps me going.

Goals 2017:

(completed) Rebalanced allocations with focus on simplicity (Wasn't as tedious as expected - also thanks to help here); Hard part is not touching it further and leaving things be

Need my umbrella policy up

OMG still have not gotten to the will

[wideopenspaces]

That is so great, Mrs. BurnedOutDoc :-) Thank you for sharing. I love it when I hear things like this! I had a baby in October and I initially planned to stay quarter time for 3 months after maternity leave, then go 3 months at half time, then back to three quarter time, which is my norm. However, this baby is taking more out of me than I expected (or remembered from my first one) and I've decided to wait to go half time until November. Or maybe later, we'll see. But my work has been pretty amazing about letting me set the pace and do what works for me, which has been awesome, and such a stress reliever. I am continually grateful for the job that I have. Anyway, financially we'll take a hit in 2017, but because we never substantially increased our lifestyle after residency, we will still save 20-30% of our income and not have to change our spending level at all.

[WallStreetPhysician]

BurnedoutDoc wrote:

The burned out doc has signed a contract on a new job!  It is a setting that will hopefully make her feel less burned out with better staffing and support.  This resulted in a better salary and going back on benefits like 401k match and paid vacations.  Thanks to this forum for encouraging me to keep striving towards a better financial future.

In addition, her spouse just got his bonus for this year and it was larger than expected.  So our family (n=1) is ready to spend (and save!) some money.  Anyone else feeling more secure about their finances?  Any new goals for 2017?  We will probably increase our vacation budget as well as our taxable account contributions.

 

 

Click to expand...

Better working conditions at a higher salary, a win-win! Congratulations, you deserve a celebratory vacation (or two) for pulling that off!

[retinadoc]

Young surgical specialist with modest net worth at the ?top of a bull market.

My goals:
1. Put aside ~$100k for a down payment
2. Invest remainder of surplus by DCA into market

Admittedly I'm taking this opportunity to "market time" my investable income by directing it into an Ally savings account in lieu of directly going into the market.

[BurnedoutDoc]

Half time is the best! I am fortunate to be in a speciality where I can do that.  Enjoy your new baby.

[adventure]

Zaphod wrote:

hightower wrote:

Congratulations on your new position!  Burn out is such a big problem in our profession and I see it so much more clearly now since recognizing my own burn out last year.  I think the majority of the people I work with in my group are burned out and don’t even realize it.

I would say cautiously optimistic adequately describes my outlook for this year as well. I too am transitioning from a job in which I was totally burned out to a hopefully better job later this year.  I’m not signing a contract with them until I get a feel for the new hospital for a few months.  I’ll be working as “optional” status which means I can just sign up for a few shifts to start and see how it feels.  SO, we’ll see how it goes

Click to expand…

Yes, you dont really realize it. You just have a general dislike for the position, see all the bad stuff magnified and feel trapped. It took several years out of residency in my 3.5d/wk position with no call, hospital, etc…to start to enjoy it more. There are still annoying things for sure, but Im no longer burned out…I still dont find it terribly interesting, but its enjoyable enough most of the time. Now working almost 4 days a week so far this year, going well.

Most people are just going through the motions and accept whatever negative state they get as part of the job, but its not! Its terrible and unnecessary and worst of all hurts physicians and patients.

Click to expand...

Do you think a big (multi month) vacation at the beginning would have helped?