As physicians, we frequently witness life’s fragility in others yet often fail to fully grasp its brevity in our own lives. We become trapped in a relentless cycle of clinical duties, paperwork, and administrative tasks, leaving little time to truly live.
I’ve often surprised colleagues by how much free time I enjoy as a practicing physician—time deliberately created through smarter investing and intentional thinking.
The key? Adopting a mindset of memento mori—remembering our mortality.
Originating in ancient Rome, memento mori translates to “remember you must die.” It served as a sobering reminder for Roman generals during triumphal processions, where a companion would whisper the phrase into their ears, grounding them in humility despite their success. Later embraced by Stoic philosophers, this concept evolved to emphasize living deliberately, fully appreciating life’s transient nature.
Today, embracing memento mori can profoundly transform our perspectives and priorities. By acknowledging life’s finite span, we are compelled to align our actions, investments, and daily decisions with our most authentic desires and values. Instead of deferring joy and fulfillment, this ancient wisdom challenges us to seize the present moment and focus deliberately on what truly enriches our lives.
Consider these profound examples of life’s unpredictability:
Steve Jobs revolutionized technology and business, yet he passed at age 56.
Kobe Bryant epitomized excellence and determination, yet his life was tragically cut short at 41.
Marilyn Monroe, a symbol of timeless glamour, departed unexpectedly at just 36.
Martin Luther King Jr., a beacon of justice and equality, was silenced at 39.
Jimi Hendrix transformed music forever yet left us astonishingly early at 27.
Each of these iconic figures reminds us starkly: tomorrow isn’t promised. Thus, our goal should not merely be accumulating wealth for its own sake but to invest smarter to reclaim our most precious asset—time.
This idea can empower you to reevaluate and restructure your practice or clinic, enabling you to achieve greater balance and fulfillment. For example, I know an internist who transitioned from seeing 50 patients daily and rotating weekend calls to working just four days a week, completely eliminating on-call duties. This shift granted him the invaluable freedom to spend more time pursuing what truly matters to him, on his own schedule.
It’s time for you, too, to rethink your current plan and build a practice that aligns with the life you desire.
In today’s world, where busyness and chaos reign, real wealth is defined by having the freedom to choose how you spend your time. You deserve the opportunity to live a life on your terms, making deliberate choices that reflect your values and passions.
Once you’ve reevaluated your practice and taken steps to create greater freedom, the next critical step is smarter investing. This involves strategically allocating capital to generate sustainable, passive income, thus freeing you from the endless cycle of trading hours for dollars. With this approach, your money works tirelessly for you, allowing you to step back from constant professional demands and enjoy the fruits of your efforts on your terms.
Consider alternative investments such as real estate syndications, private equity, or income-focused assets that yield consistent returns independent of Wall Street volatility. These types of investments are not just about growth—they are structured to generate steady income that can eventually replace your earned income. By crafting a diverse portfolio of income-producing assets, you create a pathway to financial independence.
Over time, this income can support your lifestyle entirely, freeing you from clinical obligations and giving you the power to decide how, when, and even if you want to work. This strategy provides the foundation for significant freedom—allowing you more time with family, travel, passions, or simply quiet contemplation.
Reflecting on memento mori has profoundly reshaped my investing philosophy and life priorities. As physicians, our daily encounter with human fragility shouldn’t paralyze us—it should empower us. Empower us to invest wisely, plan thoughtfully, and live intentionally.
Time is finite.
Invest smarter and reclaim yours today.