So, how's work?

The WSJ noted that Americans, by many measures, are unhappier at work than they have been in years.

Despite wage increases, more paid time off and greater control over where they work, the number of U.S. workers who say they are angry, stressed and disengaged is climbing, according to Gallup’s 2023 workplace report. Meanwhile, a BambooHR analysis of data from more than 57,000 workers shows job-satisfaction scores have fallen to their lowest point since early 2020, after a 10% drop this year alone.

One in five physicians say it is likely they will leave their current practice within two years. Meanwhile, about one in three doctors and other health professionals say they intend to reduce work hours in the next 12 months, according to recently published survey research. Here are some reasons why.

You know the question is coming when you see family and friends this holiday season: How’s work?

If you are a doctor, you might be grumpy too.

Here are some ways to respond to your family when Uncle Jim pops the question:

1. I'm doing some very interesting stuff
2. I'm in my next career pivot and enjoying the journey
3. I retired from clinical practice and am happier than I've been in a long time
4. Did I mention I'm on the board of a non-profit?
5. Why don't you connect to me on LinkedIn so you can follow what I've been doing? Not interested, huh?
6. I really like being able to work when and where I want to. The O'Dark Hundred crowd was getting old.
7. Great. I'm still in rehab.
8. I just renewed my membership to the Museum of Physician Happiness and every now and then volunteer as a docent.
9. Amazing. I make more now per hour than when I was practicing medicine.
10. I'm having fun. Too bad my golf game and cooking still sucks. How about you? Are you still watching all those You Tubes to learn how to play?
11. Change the subject to the cost of housing or how ridiculous tipping has become
12. Ask about how their kids are doing

Stay positive by practicing negative entrepreneurship. Be grateful. Tell the truth but not the whole truth. Relax. Aunt Jane just wants to chat about her nieces and nephews and probably doesn't really care about how you are doing at work anyway.

Maybe you'll get invited again next year. Don't offer to bring a side dish because, next year, you might be living in Costa Rica.

Arlen Meyers, MD, MBA is the President and CEO of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs on Substack and Editor of Digital Health Entrepreneurship