The Scarcity Trap in Medicine: Why More Is Never Enough | Ep 17
What if the constant feeling of "not enough" is the real virus draining your life in medicine?
In this reflective episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh unpacks the scarcity mindset that permeates physicians' lives—from chasing RVUs and promotions to feeling there's never enough time for family or self-care. Drawing from personal stories, like the anxiety of new hires or a canceled Thanksgiving trip, Dr. Hersh reveals how scarcity masquerades as ambition but steals joy and connection. He offers practical shifts, like questioning "Do I have enough for today?" and setting boundaries, to embrace abundance and build a sustainable life.
Timed around Thanksgiving, this episode invites physicians to reflect on gratitude, detours, and what truly matters beyond the grind. If you're hustling endlessly yet feeling empty, this is your guide to finding "enough" and thriving.
🔗 Design Your Life: A Goal Setting Guide for Physicians: betterphysicianlife.com/design-your-life
About the Show:
Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager.
Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didn’t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention.
Top 3 Takeaways:
- Question Scarcity's Grip: Recognize how the belief in "not enough" (time, money, recognition) drives burnout and resentment. Dr. Hersh shares how quarterly RVU anxiety fueled his hustle, but pausing to ask, "Do I have enough for today?" shifts focus to intention and presence—try it during your next busy shift.
- Embrace Growth Through Discomfort: Scarcity rewards endless grinding, but true abundance comes from boundaries and delegation, even if it stings. Dr. Hersh explains how hiring new colleagues initially sparked fear but led to collective thriving—practice by saying no to one extra task this week to protect your health and family time.
- Find Gifts in Detours: Life's interruptions, like a canceled trip or schedule change, aren't losses but opportunities for gratitude. Dr. Hersh recounts turning a family illness into a meaningful staycation—reframe your next setback by listing three "gifts" it brings, fostering resilience and joy.
Watch Now
If you’ve been running on the story that there’s never enough (time, energy, support, you), coaching can help you challenge that lie.
Physician coaching gives you space to slow down, see where scarcity has been driving the show, and start making decisions from clarity instead of fear.
Because the truth is, you don’t need more to feel better. You need enough. And the awareness to notice when you already have it.
If you’re ready to step out of the scarcity loop and start leading your life from a place of enough, click below to schedule your physician coaching consultation.
