In this podcast we discussion the pursuit of happiness with Jeff from The Happy Philosopher including how he reached a burn out point in his job as a radiologist and how his focus on happiness helped him find a path forward.
In Today’s Podcast we cover:
A discussion with Jeff from The Happy Philosopher
An introduction to Jeff’s background story
Jeff found himself burned out about four years into his full-time profession and he was stressed out and anxious and just not happy
He reached a breaking point where he discussed with his wife his plan for five more years of work
He had shortened his “prison sentence” but hadn’t made his “cell any more comfortable” (we discussed suicide in the episode and Jeff asked that we include a phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline)
He couldn’t wait five years to be happy – he had to experiment now to find that happiness
Was there something about his job that led him to this breaking point or was it that he hadn’t found what made him happy?
Early Retirement Extreme was mind-blowing for him intellectually and led him to FI
How medical professionals can feel “trapped” in their job because of sunk costs
Did Jeff experience lifestyle inflation once he became a full-time physician?
What did Jeff’s path out of burnout look like?
How Jeff’s consumption of news led to much of his stress
What else has Jeff cut out of his life?
Happiness through subtraction
Decluttering and getting rid of the negatives in your life
Cutting down on commitments that aren’t necessary in our jobs and lives
How Jeff pursued a job sharing part-time work during his peak earning years
The Marginal Utility of Money and how your spending impacts your happiness
The concept of trading your time for money
How does Jeff approach how to spend money in his own life?
The concept of utility versus value
The importance of gratitude and how happiness is a skill
Make a conscious decision to place a space between stimulus and response
Hot Seat Questions
Jeff suggests you experiment with cutting out alcohol entirely from your life for a set period of time as an experiment (Jeff also wanted us to mention: "Anyone who is a heavy drinker should probably consult with a doctor or someone familiar with alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal before quitting cold turkey.")
Links from the show:
The Happy Philosopher
Early Retirement Extreme
Mr. Money Mustache
Happiness Through Subtraction at Mad Fientist
Alligators and Kittens at The Happy Philosopher
The Power of No at The Happy Philosopher
How Understanding the Marginal Utility of Money Will Make Your Happier at The Happy Philosopher
How to Be The Happiest Person in the Room at 1500 Days
7 Ways to Be Insufferable on Facebook at Wait But Why
Books Mentioned in the Show:
13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
Your Money or Your Life
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