April 26, 2024 • 39 mins
Ever wondered how the freedom of remote work might redefine your productivity and personal happiness? That's exactly what we're unpacking today. We will take you on a journey through the landscapes of modern professional life, where work-from-home has shifted from a novelty to a necessity for many. We share our personal experiences with the flexibility that allows us to manage family commitments and enhance well-being. Bridget brings a fresh perspective from the healthcare sector, delving into the evolution and recent shifts in telemedicine, providing an eye-opening look at remote work's role in this critical field.
Family emergencies, impromptu school plays—life's full of surprises, and we're here to discuss the value of a workplace culture built on understanding and flexibility. We compare notes on how professionals across the UK and US are redefining success, often trading off higher salaries for reduced hours and a richer life outside the office. Work-life balance isn't just a buzzword; it's a blueprint for mental well-being, and we share stories that highlight its profound impact on our lives. Plus, we celebrate the technological advances that have democratized the workforce, empowering caregivers and individuals with disabilities to thrive in remote roles.
Towards the end of this episode, we get personal about the impressions left upon us by a workaholic parent and how that shaped our approach to setting boundaries between our careers and personal lives. We talk about the hustle of starting a business, navigating the learning curve to achieve harmony, and how life milestones—like becoming a parent—shift our priorities. Whether you're a seasoned remote worker or just dipping your toes into these waters, our discussion offers insights and reflections on making your professional life support the personal, with a nod to the enduring value of flexibility post-pandemic. Join us for a candid exploration of making work, work for you.
Disclaimer: This podcast represents the opinions of Dr. Bridget Melton, MD and licensed therapist Marissa Volinsky, MS, LPC, NCC. The contents of our podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. The contents of our podcast and website are for general informational purposes only, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any condition or disease or substitute for medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician, mental health professional, or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before starting or discontinuing treatment.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. These services are free and confidential.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Marissa (00:13):
Hello and welcome back to another episode where you're
so happy to have you guys herewith us.
We are your hosts, marissa andBridget, and today we're diving
into a topic that's beenreshaping the way we work the
benefits of remote work.
Over the past few years, sinceCOVID, the traditional office
setup has undergone asignificant transformation.
This has been the rise ofremote work, accelerated by
(00:39):
technological advancements andglobal events.
This has revolutionized how weapproach our professional lives.
What was once considered a perkfor a select few has now become
mainstream option.
So how do we all feel aboutthis?
We're going to dive into thisand we're going to discuss this.
So, with flexibility andfreedom, let's talk a little bit
about that.
Obviously, one of the bestbenefits of remote work is the
flexibility it affords,especially if you have a family.
That's very important and itmeans a lot to you to be able to
(01:00):
have that flexibility.
You know you're no longer boundby rigid office hours, commutes
we all know that's hard,especially if you're commuting
into a city and the employeescan tailor their work schedules
to suit their individual needsand preferences, and I think
overall this increases lifesatisfaction.
That's important for mentalhealth, making your own schedule
around your family and yourneeds, just really lets the ball
be in your court and I think,overall, if you're happier, you
(01:22):
also be a productive worker.
So, whether it's starting yourday later to accommodate
personal commitments or you wantto take a break throughout the
day to recharge, remote workempowers individuals to take
control of their time like neverbefore, and it extends beyond
scheduling.
It allows you to create apersonalized work environment
that fosters productivity andcreativity, which is important,
so you can set up like a cozyhome office or find inspiration
(01:44):
at your local cafe.
A lot of people love that, andyou now have this freedom and we
are now getting to choosethings that we never have before
in the workforce, and it'sshaping it.
Bridget (01:52):
Yes, I love talking about this because I feel so
left out of it, but I would justlike to say we don't live to
work.
You work to live.
At the end of the day, youmight have a very meaningful and
fulfilling career that you'reproud of and kudos to you, but
it is actually just a paycheck,like we work literally just to
make money to afford things.
So if that means you need toshift your hours, you need to
(02:14):
start later or start earlier soyou can finish earlier to make
that work for your family.
You should have a supportivework environment that allows you
to be flexible like that,because it is just a paycheck,
it's just a means to pay thebills, regardless of how
important your career is.
Marissa (02:29):
that's why you have a job right like it's just to be a
productive adult and pay billsabsolutely I mean, in the end
aren't we all just living onlike a floating rock, like it's
not that serious?
Bridget (02:40):
yeah.
So if someone's like no, youhave to do a nine to five or an
eight to six.
You have to be in the officewhy absolutely.
Marissa (02:47):
I think it's interesting in this podcast
session because you have twopeople from different ends.
Right, you have bridget's thedoctor.
It is definitely probably nevergoing to be work from home with
surgeries and everything.
And then I'm a therapist that,although therapists do have
in-person options, I havepersonally chosen for me and my
personal life and my family tomake a priority that I would
like to work from home and whichI have, since I've created my
(03:08):
practice, and I'm grateful andthankful for that.
I have that option.
What I would love to know,bridget, since it's really kind
of never been an option for you,how have you felt seeing the
revolution of people get thatoption and you not?
Bridget (03:19):
Yeah.
So I think it's great and Ithink I would actually thrive in
a work from home environment.
But I'll touch on that in asecond.
I'm so jealous.
But I will say for people whodon't work from home, if you
have to go into the office, wetotally appreciate others
working from home because itstops all the commuter traffic.
Usually Mondays and Fridayspeople choose like if you're in
(03:40):
a hybrid work environment, theychoose Mondays and Fridays to
work from home for obviousreasons.
And those days are great forpeople who do have to commute in
, because the traffic is justreduced tenfold and it's nice
and easy to drive.
You're not so stressed.
So a hybrid environment or awork from home actually benefits
both parties, which is reallyimportant.
But unfortunately yeah, in mypersonal circumstances, I just
(04:02):
can't work remotely, although Itotally wish I could and I am
like a self-starter.
So I wake up, I get my stuffdone.
I rarely procrastinate.
I mean I know we all doprocrastinate because we're
humans, but that's just notreally my personality type.
So overall I don't reallystruggle to find internal
motivation to work from home.
So it would be so ideal for me,it's just not my reality right
(04:23):
now.
Unfortunately you have to gointo the hospital to get things
done.
But since COVID, there havebeen openings for remote doctors
, especially in family medicine.
So general practice, familymedicine, it's the same thing.
So, over the past couple ofmonths, though, I've been
hearing some whispers that thosejob roles that were open in
COVID and now have been open forfour years are actually being
(04:46):
taken away.
So they're going to reducethese roles and try to bring
people back into the office,which is unfortunate because of
a lot of them, like, that hasbecome their reality and they've
made it work for them and theirfamilies.
Some of them are caretakers fortheir parents, children, et
cetera, so it just it makessense for them.
It's really disappointing,actually, but, yeah, I've heard
(05:09):
some whispers from multiplesources actually, that they are
reducing those work from homeroles.
So it's usually liketelemedicine you need a family
doctor, you have a weird rash orsomething, you wake up, you
book an appointment online andit's just over your smartphone.
You basically FaceTime with thedoctor so they can see what
you're talking about and theydiagnose you and they can send
meds to your pharmacy if theyneed, which is really convenient
for everyone involved.
But, unfortunate, yeah, it'sjust so convenient, which one of
(05:31):
the best things about remotemedicine is seeking
psychological help from thecomfort of your own home.
Marissa (05:35):
Yes, absolutely, and that is unfortunate because
obviously, like you said, theybecame accustomed to it.
This is something that maybethey thought was a good
long-term fit for them.
I can't even imagine being inthe position because for me I
have gotten very comfortable.
I have my routine, I have myschedule.
I like that.
I can make it around my kids'pickup and drop-off times and
any extracurricular activitiesthat they do.
I can be present for evenparent-teacher conferences,
(05:58):
because sometimes those havereally bad times and not
everyone can make them.
But now I can make it, so thatI can always make it, and I
can't imagine that being takenaway from me.
That feels a little rough there.
Bridget (06:07):
I know I feel like we finally like cracked the code to
like being a working parent.
It's like, well, if you workfrom home, then you actually can
accomplish everythingAbsolutely.
And now it's like why would we?
Marissa (06:16):
end it.
Yes, I do see a divide, though.
I can UK, but in the US a lot ofpeople that have investments in
real estate, like the bigcorporate offices they are heavy
push for everyone to go back inbecause their investments are
in that building, they're tiedup and they love to kind of say
it's oh, it's because of work,culture and more productivity
happens in the office.
But personally I disagree, andthere are people out there that
(06:39):
may abuse it.
Right, there's always going tobe those few, but as a majority,
I think it has been veryhelpful and it has great
benefits and I think that it isthe right direction we should go
in as a society, and it saidthat there are some places that
are taking it away.
Bridget (06:52):
I mean I would definitely say like it harps on
the whole difference between,like UK, europe and US, because
as far as I'm concerned here ithas just enhanced the whole idea
that you should have time foryourself and you should have
that work-life balance, andhybrid working or working from
home gives you that freedom.
In the UK we have more paidtime off in entry-level jobs.
(07:15):
So my first year as a residentI had 29 days of PTO which I was
like, are you sure?
Like is this a mistake?
Which it was inconceivable tome at the time.
I was absolutely blown away.
And it's not uncommon forpeople in the UK and Europe to
have six to eight weeks PTO.
Once you're like at a higherlevel, it's like my
father-in-law has eight weeks.
I think my mother-in-law hasprobably six to eight weeks as
(07:37):
well.
So taking time for yourself isit's expect here it's not, you
know, like chastised and you'renot judged for it.
Like yeah, it's August, are yougoing away for August?
Like the whole month?
See you in September.
Emergency family time is alsounderstood and respected here.
For example, your child carefalls through the morning of, or
your child develops a fever andyou need to take them to the
(08:00):
doctor here in the UK.
You could call up the manageror your team early that morning,
explain the situation and thefact that you need to tend to
your child unexpectedly today.
So you know, unfortunately youcan't come into work and this
will be totally excused andallowed because obviously your
child comes before this job youhave.
So overall there's just a moreflexible and understanding
(08:22):
culture abroad than in the USand we understand things come up
.
Unfortunately you can't be intwo places at once.
So it's like if you havechildren or you care for your
parents or someone, that isreally your first priority,
because who else is going to doit?
You know you're a caretakerfirst, parent first, and then
it's your job Absolutely.
(08:42):
And I just feel like that thatis not understood in the States
and that's why a lot of peopleare like so obsessed with
getting you back in the officebecause they want to take that
flexibility away.
Marissa (08:52):
Absolutely.
I have seen in my circle offriends and colleagues, because
we prefer the work-life balanceand the ability to make our own
schedules from home, we arealmost leaving the workforce in
droves, Like to the point whereit's like I even created my own
private practice.
I was like I'm not going backto work for X, Y and Z Not
(09:13):
happening.
So it's almost like when pushcomes to shove, we're going to
get down to it, we're going tomake it happen.
Some people in my circle haveeven said they've taken pay cuts
over going to the office.
Bridget (09:29):
They would rather be home and have more work-life
balance, more family time andget paid less, than be paid an
astronomical amount and have togo in the office and barely see
their kids.
Oh my God, same Wait.
So here, if you're like adoctor in training or not in
training, you don't have to bein residency anymore.
I think you could be like at anattending consultant level.
You can go.
As of last year you could goless than full time, so it's not
quite part time.
You know you might be doing 80%of the normal hours or 60%.
(09:49):
You get to choose.
But you could go less than fulltime for no reason.
Now you don't have to claimit's because you have children
or you're a caretaker.
It could be for any reason atall and it will be approved.
You take a pay cut, obviously.
So you're, if you're working80%, you're getting paid 80.
You know, is it worth the hitto your wallet?
(10:11):
And they all say yes.
And they don't even have kids.
They're like.
It makes us feel so much betterto just have that one day off a
week, like a random Wednesday,to catch up on life, admin,
laundry, you know.
Maybe grab a meal with yourfriends, enjoy some sunshine on
your face.
It has made such a differencethat none of them are going back
full time, none of them aregoing back on, and they're all
(10:32):
like why don't you do 8%?
I'm like I'm not quite readyfor that.
I think I really need tosquirrel my money away first and
then eventually maybe do it.
But I'm like, wow, not one ofthem regrets it, despite the pay
cut.
Marissa (10:43):
In my circle.
Not one has regretted it.
They have been like this is thebest decision I've ever made.
Bridget (10:47):
It's amazing what flexibility can do.
It makes your brain feel somuch lighter.
You know, when you wake up,okay.
So I rarely have work from homedays Like literally right now I
have like a work from homeafternoon.
So it happens maybe once in ablue moon for me, but I wake up
feeling like so much lighter.
I'm like, okay, now I don't haveto go to the gym first thing in
the morning, you know the buttcrack of dawn.
I could go in the afternoonbecause I'm budgeting my own
(11:08):
time this afternoon.
Oh, I don't have to pack lunchwith me because I'm going to
come home and make myself a nicelunch and you know you don't
have to plan your whole day inadvance, whereas normally when
I'm working in the hospital,wake up really early, go to the
gym, pack my breakfast with meIf I don't have time to eat it,
pack my lunch with me, pack mysnacks, cause I'm not getting
home till maybe six at night,sometimes later if I'm about it.
It's just like, well, I goteverything I need for the whole
(11:34):
day in my bag and I'm going tolive like this, like a hobo out
of my bag and go to work.
It's just like when you havethat breath of fresh air.
I'm like, oh, I'm going to behome at 1230 today.
I get to work from home thisafternoon.
I'm like, oh my God, oh, I comehome.
I did some laundry, I worked,you know, I made myself lunch.
God, it feels great to havethat freedom and it's like I'm
an adult.
Why don't I always have thatfreedom?
(11:55):
Why can't I always decide whatI want to do?
Marissa (11:57):
also how I personally feel is we are not put on this
earth to work ourselves to death.
I'm sorry we get one life right, so like why can't I live it?
Why can't I enjoy it?
Why is majority of my lifeslaving away?
I'm not subscribing to thatanymore, I'm sorry.
Unsubscribe, I refuse, I know,uh, I'm not subscribing to that
anymore.
Bridget (12:14):
I'm sorry.
Unsubscribe, I refuse.
I know I'm not a creative, I'mnot an artist or anything like
that like a photographer, but ifI was, oh my God, that must
feel so good to have thatcomplete freedom and knowing
that you could travel whereverand take your work with you and
just kind of budget your timehowever you want.
That must feel so good.
Marissa (12:34):
I could talk a little bit on that, because obviously
my board requires that whoeverI'm seeing through telehealth
must be in the state of NewJersey.
But I do not have to be right.
I could do it from anywhere, aslong as it's a HIPAA compliant.
You know, no one can haveaccess to the room or hear my
session, right.
So that allows me to work fromanywhere, and that is really
amazing.
It gives me a lot of freedom.
(12:55):
I do feel lighter, I feel great.
You're right, there is a lot ofmental load that goes into
worrying about the next dayoutfit, lunch, getting up for
the gym, all of that, everythingthat your day entails.
And to not have to do that, tojust get up and be like, okay, I
have to.
I obviously I do that for thekids still, but once they're all
dropped off and settled, I canjust sit back and be like, ooh,
deep breath.
You know like I got this therest of my day now, until my
(13:16):
kids have to get picked up or isdictated by me and me alone.
Bridget (13:19):
Yeah, that is.
That is amazing.
That's kind of why my long-termgoal is not to be a hospitalist
doctor, like I don't want to doobstetrics and gynecology in a
hospital, because then I cannever dictate my own schedule.
Even at, like, the top of mycareer, I'll still have, like a
you know, a manager who's likeyou're in tomorrow.
So my long-term goal has alwaysbeen to have my own clinic,
(13:40):
because I want to dictate myhours, I want to make my own
schedule, I want work to workfor me.
You know I don't want to be aslave to my job.
Obviously I'll do anything formy patients and I'll make myself
available to them, but I don'twant to be a slave to the office
.
And that is always why, like, Ifound such peace of mind in
knowing that my long-term careergoals are to have my own clinic
where I make my own hours.
(14:01):
Maybe I'll do a couple ofsummer Fridays when the
weather's good, you know, like Ijust I don't want to waste my
life.
And then, when I'm 50, I'mlooking back and I'm like I I'm
looking back and I'm like Ispent so much time inside behind
a desk working at a computer.
Marissa (14:16):
And for what Exactly?
I think I could speak for theboth of us that in our lives we
have had role models thatdefinitely kind of were
empowered by working, andworking really hard, right To
protect yourself, set yourselfup later in life, and there's
nothing wrong with that, that is, it's smart, don't get me wrong
.
But unfortunately you'reworking your whole life, you're
working like a slave, and thenthe company really invested in
(14:36):
you and and I feel like there'sless now like for employees to
have loyalty to companies, ifthat makes sense yes, completely
yes so you want me to do whatolder generations were doing,
but for less?
Bridget (14:49):
no, I'm not a slave no, yes, it used to be like you
stayed at a company for 40 years, you got the gold watch for
retirement and you were happyand that company took care of
you and that's why you took careof it.
That's just not the realityanymore.
You can give your life to acompany for a few years and
you're getting almost nothingback.
Maybe you get a few extra PTOdays like sprinkled in there,
(15:11):
and they're like does that makeyou feel better?
And you're like no, like I needmore.
And that's why they're sayingmillennials and Gen Z job hop.
We're going from one job to thenext, not careers, but one
company to the next.
You know we're constantly insearch of the company that's
going to give us the better deal.
And it's like and why wouldn'tI, why wouldn't I?
Want to be at the companythat's going to pay me the best,
give me the best time off, giveme the best health benefits,
(15:33):
flexibility, and maybe likecocktail hours once a week, like
, why wouldn't I want that?
Obviously, I need the companythat is going to serve me,
because I'm serving them and I'mgiving you valuable hours of my
life and my youth.
Like I need something in return.
Marissa (15:47):
Absolutely.
I need a retirement plan, 401k,health benefits and there's no
loyalty because there's noloyalty to us.
So, yes, I do have to do what'sbest for my family and I will
job hop until I find a good fitand companies can get offended
all they want.
But if you want them to stophopping, start offering more,
start investing more into youremployees and I promise you
they'll stay.
Stop offering random benefitslike oh, you're upset, here's a
(16:09):
pizza party.
Yeah, okay, that's not helpful.
Bridget (16:11):
Yes, exactly.
If you want to invest into youremployees and your company, you
need to give them the bestopportunity to improve their own
health and their own lives, andif you do that, you will form
some loyalty and people willstick around until they figure
that out.
They got to spend money to makemoney.
They're they're going to beturning over employees left and
right, absolutely.
Marissa (16:31):
Trust me, employ will never leave.
If you truly invest in them andyou value and appreciate them
and you give them the freedom tomake their own schedules, I
promise you they'll never leave.
Yeah, they will feelappreciated.
They will feel like they candictate their own schedules.
That family can come first,which is important, and I
promise you they will neverleave.
Now, if they're leaving, you'redoing something wrong.
Bridget (16:58):
You might want to relook at things.
Yeah, so that actually bringsme to my next little topic I
want to bring up.
So there is a study.
I don't want to butcher thesenames, but it's from canada, so
sama, sudram, hackney, young do,oakman, now ruzi, kia and
yazdani in 2022.
Club uh published researchfollowing the pandemic where
they surveyed 1,617 peopleinitially and then another 382
(17:20):
people for the follow-upinterview six months later, and
they demonstrated burnout,stress, general mental health
and job insecurity levels allsignificantly decreased between
the initial interview and thefollow-up interview six months
later.
Sedentary behavior also reducedover time and a better sense of
community with co-workers wasreported over time.
What was the difference inthose six months working from
(17:42):
home because of the pandemic?
Marissa (17:43):
there you go yeah.
Bridget (17:45):
So people working from home actually demonstrated
better mental and physicalhealth and so, odd, better
community with co over time, andit's probably because everybody
felt better.
So everyone was feeling a bitmore social and weren't just
like let's get back to work,gary, you're like you feel
better, you feel lighter andyou're like you know what
Actually, yeah, let's socialize,let's bond.
So there is research out thereto suggest that overall employee
(18:09):
wellbeing does improve quitesignificantly in a working from
home or hybrid environment.
Marissa (18:14):
Absolutely and for, say , with a time off right Getting
requested.
What really gets me is thatthere's people out there that
can say at least once right thatthey worked for a company and
their time off might've beendenied.
Bridget (18:26):
Why is that?
Marissa (18:27):
Why is?
Because to me that acts likeyou think you own them.
I like to say, if I was everdoing that before, I had my own
company.
I'm not asking your permission.
I'm telling you to prepare theothers PTO, because I ain't
going to be here, okay.
So you know how many of thesecompanies think that they could
deny you because you don't ownpeople and they're entitled to
their PTO?
It's part of their benefitspackage.
Bridget (18:49):
Yeah.
So when you do residency,basically they tell you your
leave should be approved if yougive six weeks notice and it
should be approved no matterwhat.
So if there's a gap in thatROTA, that's up to the hospital
to fill it.
You need to hire a doctor, comein that day, pay them.
They need to fill that gap.
And lately what we've beenfinding is that the managers
will be like oh no, sorry, liketwo doctors already requested
(19:10):
off that day and I'm like, yeah,but I'm asking over six weeks
in advance.
Usually I ask like 10 weeks inadvance.
Well, the second I find out Ihave a wedding.
I'm like I'm requesting timeoff, you know, and they have
been rejecting it.
And recently it was only a fewdays ago, maybe last week this
big study came out Surgicalresidents 9% of them reported
clinical depression, diagnoseddepression.
I can't remember the rest ofthe stats, but a lot of them are
(19:32):
on antidepressants, some ofthem are just in therapy alone.
And one of the recommendationswas if I follow the rules and I
request PTO six weeks in advance, like you say, you cannot deny
it.
That should be a thing now.
It should be a blanketstatement.
I'm requesting it six weeks inadvance.
I'm telling you, when I have awedding or a family commitment,
a holiday or you know what Fthat I just want to go away.
(19:58):
You should have to say yes andyou have to fill that gap.
That is literally your job.
You are the manager here.
Fill that gap.
You have six weeks to do so,good luck.
Marissa (20:02):
Well, I love to say your inability to prepare
doesn't constitute an emergencyon my part.
Bridget (20:07):
Sorry, yes, why do I have to come in?
Because you can't fill that gap.
Marissa (20:11):
Six weeks is giving them plenty of time to prepare.
Don't kid yourself, that isenough time.
Bridget (20:16):
Yeah, reading the study really blew my mind.
I was working nights last weekand this kid I work with Zach.
He showed it to me and I waslike oh my God or no.
Did I show him?
I don't know, I was delirious,it was nights, I think.
I showed him and I was like, ohmy God, like this is absolutely
harrowing the amount ofsurgical residents, trainees,
who report depression, brokendown relationships.
Over 80% of them reported thatthis job has affected their
(20:39):
intimate relationships,inability to keep a wife,
husband, partner, etc.
It's really shocking and it'sall just because there is like
no work life balance when youwork in surgery.
Unfortunately, it's just likeyou know if you're signing up
for surgery to do like generalsurgery yeah, kiss your life
goodbye.
Marissa (20:58):
It's sad because these are our frontline healthcare
workers, right?
What you guys do is amazing.
You save lives and we need that, and if you keep burning people
out, you think anyone's goingto want to go into this career
anymore.
But we need it.
We don't want to be at a placewhere we're lacking that.
That would be a scary world.
Bridget (21:10):
Yeah, exactly, I think they are going to be hurting for
more competitive specialtieslike surgery.
So for a while it was likesurgery was so hard to get a
role, Everybody wanted a job init, and this is in the past year
.
I think this is the first timethey've actually seen the number
of applicants fall becausepeople are actively choosing
(21:30):
themselves and their mentalhealth and their romantic
relationships and their youthover a career in surgery.
So for the first time we'reseeing a bit of a drop in
applications and we think thatit's not going to be as
competitive as a specialty inthe next few years.
Marissa (21:44):
That's really sad because obviously the career
you're in is super important,it's super impactful and you
change lives, you save lives,and things come up in the
medical field all the time,right Like there's always new
diseases, new things that youneed to find cures for.
So the last thing we need isless doctors and less people in
this profession.
Bridget (22:02):
It's a shame we talk about it all the time.
Burnout is like the biggestthreat to doctors.
So, like as we've previouslydiscussed, like, your physical
health improves when your mentalhealth improves.
So if you could reduce stressand burnout, we could reduce the
physical manifestations ofthese illnesses.
So changes in weight, lack ofappetite, nausea, vomiting,
heart racing, palpitations, youknow, stress, ulcers and so on.
(22:23):
When people experience thesymptoms of burnout, they're
more likely to describe frequentviral type illnesses like aches
, pains, fevers, lethargy.
Burnout is associated with ahigher risk of cardiovascular
disease, type two diabetes, jobdissatisfaction, increase of
long-term sickness, absence andpermanent work disability.
That's from the nationalInstitute of health.
So you know, if you'reexperiencing burnout, it's
(22:47):
affecting your mental health,it's affecting your physical
health and now, because of yourphysical health is declining,
you're taking long-term sicknessleave or permanent work
disability.
It's so counterproductive.
All because you're trying towork more hours.
You're actually now disabledand you can't work and it just
makes no sense.
It's like the most viciouscycle, yet no one seems to know
how to stop it and it's like nipit in the bud before you get to
(23:09):
burnout level.
People think that being aworkaholic makes them more
productive, but they actuallyare potentially taking years off
of their lives and aredefinitely reducing the overall
amount of time they can sustainproductive work.
So if you want to play the longgame and you want like a
healthy, happy career, you needwork-life balance.
This ensures a prolongedproductive, fulfilling work life
(23:30):
.
Marissa (23:30):
Yeah, just to touch a little bit on that, I feel like
with workaholics and every youknow all those kinds of terms
that are related to that,throughout my life I've seen
that that's kind of alwayspraised right Like that's the
goal, that's what they want.
For me.
I personally I feel like thathas been what capitalism wants
you to believe, because you knowthey need worker bees.
(23:54):
But I just don't really believein that anymore.
I have had people tell me like,oh, you only work this amount
of hours and they give me thewhole vibe where they just think
you know you could be doingmore.
You seem a little lazy to be abusiness owner, but I don't.
They can think what they wantof me.
My business is thriving, I'mthriving, my family's thriving.
This is how I choose to live mylife and it's sad that you
don't.
I'm sorry that you fell forthat narrative that you had to
work yourself into an earlygrave.
That's really sad for you.
That might work for you, but itdoes not work for me and I
definitely do not intend to dothat.
Bridget (24:16):
I completely endorse, like working, fulfilling work.
But if your whole mindset is,I'm just going to slave away so
I can retire a little bit early,which nowadays is still like 60
, like your early retirementused to be like 50.
Now nowadays is still like 60.
Like your early retirement usedto be like 50.
Now it's like 60, 65.
(24:36):
Like people aren't retiringbefore then but at the end of
the day, like that's completelyyour, your decision, you're
capable of making your ownchoices.
But if that's your motivation,you're still going to be 60 or
65, then you're not going to be30 again.
You'll never get that back.
You'll never get that youthback and you will regret not
enjoying the tiny moments youcan while you were younger.
Marissa (24:49):
Oh, absolutely.
I mean, I've had people kind ofdisagree with the way that I
view the world and similar to,obviously, what you and I are
saying here, but I love to say,like everything that you're
saying about, like, no, you needto work harder.
I've literally proven to youbecause, in your mind, if I
don't work hard enough, howcould I have been an owner?
Well, okay, well, I'm an owner,so all right.
Well, then you won't be able tohave employees, all right, I
(25:10):
have employees now.
Now, what?
What?
Now, what are you going tothrow at me?
Well, overall, it won't besuccessful, all right.
Well, it's doing pretty danggood.
I mean not not to jinx myself,but we're doing pretty good and
my employees are satisfied and Icommunicate with them
frequently.
And's like they can keepthrowing this stuff at me, but
everything they say I disprove,like everything that you think
(25:31):
happened if someone worked less.
I am proving you wrong.
So what do you have now?
Please throw it at me.
Bridget (25:36):
Exactly, yeah, you just prove that there are many ways
to get to the same outcome, manyways to skin a cat.
You know, like you, you couldstill have a successful business
and be an owner and haveemployees and still manage your
time effectively however youwant.
Marissa (25:51):
Yeah, absolutely.
Also, I know what we weretalking about earlier, about the
companies and their officespaces and how they have real
estate in that and theirinvestments in that you know
they could probably redirectthese resources.
You know, get rid of the officespaces, take all that and put
it back into the employees, givethem more benefits, and the
employees also get to save ontransportation, dining and
professional attire.
So they're saving money theretoo.
Bridget (26:13):
Oh, definitely.
I think the savings to peopleworking from home because you're
not commuting, maybe buyinglunch out in the city, et cetera
, is astronomical.
That's why I'm really jealousof you guys.
Marissa (26:24):
Oh boy.
Also, when I did back in theday, when I worked for a big
company for mental health, letme tell you, I promise you I'm
more productive now because Iwould just walk I was the person
that walked around the officeand just chatted.
I was that person because I waslike screw it, because either I
was the person who did all mywork already and I was bored
Cause I I mean, I was like I canprove to you I don't need eight
hours to do my work.
This is ridiculous or I knew,because it didn't take eight
(26:45):
hours, I would save it to likethe last few hours of the
workday, so the whole beginningof the workday.
I would just be like this is asocial outing, this is great.
So it's like.
It's like I still got, but noone ever caught me or had issues
with me because I still did mywork and I did it on time and it
was good.
Bridget (27:05):
It wasn't you know bad work.
It was great work, but in thefuture I'm going to have more
time with my colleagues and myown children.
Marissa (27:11):
Is that not sad?
Like your family's, your legacyand what you pour into it is so
important.
Bridget (27:16):
Yeah, we.
So.
We, Marissa and I, grew up witha very workaholic environment
and I know people say workaholicall the time but like truly to
fit the workaholic archetype,like not many people do, but I
would say our mom does.
Marissa (27:31):
Yes, yes.
Bridget (27:32):
Yeah, like work at the expensive LLs.
Marissa (27:35):
I will preface this by saying there is nothing wrong
with that and I truly believeshe does.
If she enjoys that and itbrings her value and comfort,
fine, because there are peopleout there, it's their
personality type and they feelbetter by being productive,
great, that's great.
Only issue I have is when a lotof people try to force that
down your throat because that'snot going to work.
Bridget (27:54):
Yeah, definitely.
But we saw like I mean again,it makes her happy but we saw
the not so great sides of it,like I would say, when we were
younger, like grade school age,I felt like my mom was like this
woman who made the rules buthad no better understanding of
that.
I know I don't know if thatmakes sense Like it was like I
don't know, we had no closenessand it wasn't until I was in
(28:16):
high school and she had manymore employees and was finally
able to, like, take a breath offresh air.
That it was like we developed aclose relationship and it was
like, I'm sorry, who are youLike?
All of a sudden, you're comingto all of my events.
Marissa (28:27):
And she joined the pta, remember, and everyone was like
, I'm sorry, you have a mom well, one of my favorite memories of
our mom is what she would tellus um, we were like one of the
last not the last, I won't giveher that bad but like one of the
last to get picked up fromeither dance or cheer practice.
And we would call her and wewould be like where are you?
practice ended 15 minutes agoand she'd be like I'm five
minutes away, I'm already in thecar, but you could hear that
(28:48):
there was no car in thebackground and you knew she was
in her office and we were likeyou haven't left the office yet
and she was like no, I haven'tnever left.
Bridget (28:58):
Yeah, she was like I'm right around the corner.
Never so many times aftersoccer practice I was left there
alone and like one parent wouldalways stay behind.
Obviously they're not justgonna leave like a nine-year
unattended, and they'd alwaysstay back and be like Do you
want me to call your mom's cellphone one more time?
And I'd be like, no, it's okay,like you could go.
And they're like, no, I'll waitwith you, honey, jerry.
(29:19):
20 minutes late, 30 minuteslate.
And meanwhile this poor mom ordad is giving up their own time
just waiting behind and I'm likeI'm really sorry.
Marissa (29:26):
It's hard because, number one, she was in a
profession which is very muchyou have to be present, you
can't not be present.
She opened it really before youcould do like work from home,
things like with thetechnological advances, so it
wasn't even like it wasavailable to her.
So she also had to, like yousaid, she had to build her
business up before she couldfully take a step back and be
involved in your stuff while youwere in high school.
(29:47):
So that is hard, you know.
So I don't knock her for that.
I understand that.
It's not like she had a jobwhere she could be like.
Well, you know, family comesfirst and then eventually, she
did try to make it right, but itis.
It's hard.
It's hard and because we grewup in that environment, I think
you and I are very pro work lifebalance, you know yeah first.
Bridget (30:05):
Yeah, definitely.
I just don't ever want to.
Like I feel like it stressesher out all the time.
Guys like no joke, she is, she61 and she will still work until
two or three in the morning onher computer down in her office.
Like that is a true obsession.
I'm like please stop Go to bed.
Marissa (30:21):
Please go to bed.
Bridget (30:21):
Yeah, it's madness.
Marissa (30:23):
Madness, you could, you could.
You will not catch me doingthat.
I'll let you know that rightnow, never.
Bridget (30:27):
Oh my God, no way.
I value sleep, way too much.
Marissa (30:30):
Yeah, no, also, in the beginning she was heavily the
reason.
When I opened my practice shewas like you're going to have to
take anyone that you feel thatyou can help in the beginning,
because until you get a fullcaseload you can't be picky
choosy, which I do agree with.
But in the beginning I washaving someone come in on a
Saturday, a weekend day, which Ido not allow now, and I really
wasn't happy with it.
I felt, like you know, I wasgiving up some of my family time
(30:52):
and also that this was heavilyinfluenced by my mom and the way
that she did her business andshe felt like mine would be
successful as well.
And once that clientsuccessfully discharged, I never
offered it again because I satback and I realized that really
wasn't something that I did forme.
It might've been a little bitof people pleasing and giving my
mom what she wanted to hearversus what you know, thinking.
Oh well, she ran successfulbusiness.
(31:12):
She must be right, you know.
But I took a step back and Iwas like you know what this
doesn't really fit with myvalues and I'm no longer
offering weekend sessions andyou know, if clients need
weekend sessions, I am more thanwilling to refer them to people
that I know have theavailability and can help them.
But you know, my ideal clientdoes not fit that narrative for
me.
I'm sorry.
Bridget (31:29):
Yeah, that's a good point.
It's just kind of likedeveloping and coming into your
own and realizing what actuallyworks for you.
And you come to that throughtrial and error.
And yeah, of course, whenyou're trying to build a
business, at first it might feellike you're working like a dog.
But as long as you know thatthis is not my forever and I'm
not going to torture myself likethis forever, it's just to
build a business, then that'scompletely fine and that's just
(31:51):
part of being an owner.
As long as you eventuallydevelop those healthy boundaries
and you're like okay, I'm at apoint in my life, actually,
where I don't have to work likea dog.
I still want to work reallyhard and provide for my family,
but I also need to be the bestversion of myself and in order
to do that I need someboundaries.
I need a couple of hours Like Ineed to breathe.
Marissa (32:10):
No, absolutely.
So it is something I've had totake a step back and think about
and I just decided what wasbest for me and my family.
A lot of those Saturdays, too,were spent like John got to take
the kids somewhere fun just toget them out of the house so I
could have a quiet session, andit just got sad.
I felt like I was like I wantto go, I want to go to the park,
I want to go get ice cream, Iwant to go to the beach.
Bridget (32:29):
Oh my God, which park, the blue park.
Marissa (32:30):
Yes, obviously the blue park.
It's a really great park in myneighborhood.
Bridget (32:35):
I want to go to the blue park.
That's my impression of mynephew.
Marissa (32:38):
And you know they're making memories and you know my
session would be me.
I choose family every time.
Bridget (32:55):
That is very commendable, very nice yeah.
Marissa (32:58):
Not everyone agrees with that, of course.
Everyone would see.
Some people see thisdifferently and some people
think probably, well, she'smessing up and that's fine, Like
again, this isn't a one sizefits all.
We aren't saying, oh my God,you must have work-life balance.
If you truly enjoy working andit gives you purpose, you do
that.
Bridget (33:15):
All I'm asking is don't push that on other people.
Let everyone choose what's bestfor them.
Yeah, definitely, definitely.
And maybe explore something new.
Maybe because I used to.
Definitely because of the waywe were raised, I was like I
would never have work-lifebalance, like I'm going to work,
like I'm crazy to the bone.
And then I became an adult andI was like, oh my God, wow, it's
really mentally draining.
Actually, I could use a day offor so.
Marissa (33:34):
Absolutely.
I was able to do that wholeworkaholic lifestyle in my mid
twenties, you know, without kids.
I don't even think I had amortgage until I was 28.
So you know, I had a lot lessgoing on, a lot less stress and
bills and yeah sure, what elsewas I going to do?
I didn't have to worry aboutkids or pets, so sure I was
willing to do that work like adog.
But you know, my prioritieschange.
They change.
Bridget (33:55):
Yeah, it has a lot to do with shifting priorities.
Definitely, I always thought Iwould never take maternity leave
.
I don't know why.
I just in my head, I was like,nope, I'll just maybe take that
month off to recover physically.
And then I'll just like I wantto get back in the game.
And now that I'm pregnant I'mlike, oh no, no, no, I'm taking
all the time allowed that I canhave because it's time that
(34:16):
you'll never get back to bondwith your child.
And I do have a very demandingjob, and so does my husband.
So you know, this child,unfortunately, will be in a lot
of daycare.
So you know like you have toseize that moment while you can,
absolutely, absolutely and alittle bit more.
Marissa (34:30):
On the whole working from home, it gives us access to
global talent.
Now you know, we can accesstalent without geographical
barriers, and companies canrecruit top talent from around
the world.
Now I think that's a great toolto have, and you want someone
who's the best for that role,right?
If it opens up the pool to moreapplicants, that's amazing.
Bridget (34:49):
Yeah, absolutely.
Marissa (34:50):
No, and also we touched on it a little bit with you
know, taking care of family andputting family first.
But there's also a part of thepopulation that working from
home is very helpful becausemaybe they have a disability,
maybe they have caregivingresponsibilities, so being
flexible and making their ownhours and maybe even being home
with someone they're taking careof, that's very helpful.
Bridget (35:13):
And definitely with the globalization thing that's
really common in medicine, likeradiologists will be on call
from different countries.
And I think that is soincredible because with
radiologists you are reading,you know, imaging, x-rays, mri,
cts from anywhere in the world.
So it's not uncommon for whenI'm working on a night shift
there will be radiologists fromlike New Zealand or India, on
different time zones wherethey're reading those reports
(35:34):
and reporting on them.
I find that so interesting.
Marissa (35:37):
That is, they can get access to doctors or any
whatever you're seeking rightLike the best person for
whatever you need.
So for a doctor, say.
Someone in your local areadoesn't have the specific
training that you know thatsuits their problem or their
diagnoses, and now they couldsee an expert in that.
That is really going to behelpful for them.
Bridget (35:56):
Yeah, and because of technology, really, you should
be able to access that no matterwhere you are, and that is
incredible and reallyrevolutionizing medicine, I'd
say, is.
But that's more about just liketechnology and the ability to
reach other people.
It's pretty incredible.
Marissa (36:10):
Yeah, absolutely.
Covid was not good for a lot ofpeople, but I will say it did
give us this whole like workfrom home movement and I am
grateful for that at least.
And for those who are taking itaway from their employees, I
really hope you reconsiderbecause unless it's like again
like my mom was a funeraldirector or Bridget who was a
doctor, obviously they need theyneed to be in person for their
(36:31):
roles.
Other than that, you know, comeon why.
Why do people have to come in?
That's ridiculous.
If they're getting their workdone and you can see that it's
good work, it's in on time andthere's never been an issue with
this employee.
Just cut the micromanaging.
Please Just cut it out.
Bridget (36:45):
Yes, preach girl, just stop, let people live.
Marissa (36:49):
Let people live.
I feel like I'm very happy withthis movement.
Obviously, it suits mylifestyle.
I will not be giving it up everYou'll have to take me.
Wow, people are like what isgoing on with this one, and
obviously Bridget mentioned thatshe would love this route if it
ever comes available to her inthe future.
Bridget (37:11):
Yeah, I would love that .
I don't foresee it for me withreproductive medicine,
unfortunately, but that's okay,a girl could dream.
Marissa (37:18):
Right.
So you could still definitelygo off of work-life balance,
though, where maybe you're onlydoing certain work days.
If you own your own practice inthe future, you know.
Bridget (37:27):
Oh yeah, definitely, Definitely, I've thought about
that.
Yeah, I would have to put somestrict boundaries on myself,
really, yeah.
Marissa (37:34):
To just Does Ted have to shackle you from going into
the office?
No, Bridget, no Stay home.
Bridget (37:42):
No, you know, like you.
Just I don't know.
I think you feel like you wantto help as many people as
possible in a short period oftime.
I'm kind of known for beingvery fast in the hospital.
That's like all I'm known for.
They're like she's really fastand I'm like, yes, because I
want to efficiently help peopleas quickly as possible, and it's
kind of hard to like not fallinto that trap.
I think of like you want tomaximize your clinic hours, I
(38:02):
guess, so that you can see asmany patients as once.
But I honestly my brain isfried sometimes after a work day
and that's not helpful to me ormy patients.
So I think in the future, if Idid have my own practice, I
would really have to set somestrict boundaries and make sure
I don't completely overdo it.
Marissa (38:18):
And you have to remember you know, doing that
and taking care of your mentalhealth too makes you a better
doctor, makes you more fullycapable to show up a hundred
percent.
Bridget (38:27):
Yeah, exactly.
Marissa (38:30):
So, like you said, it's a good dream for your future,
like your, your end game, soit's good that that is an option
for you eventually the verydistant future, unfortunately
say it well you know, but Ithink overall there's more in it
than what we've discussed moreinformation on working from home
.
What we've talked about ishonestly a small blip of this
(38:50):
whole movement, but these aredefinitely our thoughts and I'm
glad you guys are listening in.
We appreciate you guys, asalways.
Bridget (38:56):
Yes, guys, thank you so much for listening in.
Please like and subscribe andfollow us.
The handle is atpsychoticpypodcast.
That's where you can find us onYouTube and socials.
So that's at psychotic P?
Y podcast.
Please let us know if there'sanything specific you want to
hear us talk about.
We are so happy to answerquestions and harp on comments
(39:20):
and talk about topics that youwant to, you know, hear about,
because we're here to serve youguys, we're here to educate you
guys and have fun conversations.
So let us know and we'llmention it in our next episode.
Marissa (39:30):
Absolutely so.
On that note, take careeverybody Till next episode Bye
bye.
Hello and welcome back to another episode where you're
so happy to have you guys herewith us.
We are your hosts, marissa andBridget, and today we're diving
into a topic that's beenreshaping the way we work the
benefits of remote work.
Over the past few years, sinceCOVID, the traditional office
setup has undergone asignificant transformation.
This has been the rise ofremote work, accelerated by
(00:39):
technological advancements andglobal events.
This has revolutionized how weapproach our professional lives.
What was once considered a perkfor a select few has now become
mainstream option.
So how do we all feel aboutthis?
We're going to dive into thisand we're going to discuss this.
So, with flexibility andfreedom, let's talk a little bit
about that.
Obviously, one of the bestbenefits of remote work is the
flexibility it affords,especially if you have a family.
That's very important and itmeans a lot to you to be able to
(01:00):
have that flexibility.
You know you're no longer boundby rigid office hours, commutes
we all know that's hard,especially if you're commuting
into a city and the employeescan tailor their work schedules
to suit their individual needsand preferences, and I think
overall this increases lifesatisfaction.
That's important for mentalhealth, making your own schedule
around your family and yourneeds, just really lets the ball
be in your court and I think,overall, if you're happier, you
(01:22):
also be a productive worker.
So, whether it's starting yourday later to accommodate
personal commitments or you wantto take a break throughout the
day to recharge, remote workempowers individuals to take
control of their time like neverbefore, and it extends beyond
scheduling.
It allows you to create apersonalized work environment
that fosters productivity andcreativity, which is important,
so you can set up like a cozyhome office or find inspiration
(01:44):
at your local cafe.
A lot of people love that, andyou now have this freedom and we
are now getting to choosethings that we never have before
in the workforce, and it'sshaping it.
Bridget (01:52):
Yes, I love talking about this because I feel so
left out of it, but I would justlike to say we don't live to
work.
You work to live.
At the end of the day, youmight have a very meaningful and
fulfilling career that you'reproud of and kudos to you, but
it is actually just a paycheck,like we work literally just to
make money to afford things.
So if that means you need toshift your hours, you need to
(02:14):
start later or start earlier soyou can finish earlier to make
that work for your family.
You should have a supportivework environment that allows you
to be flexible like that,because it is just a paycheck,
it's just a means to pay thebills, regardless of how
important your career is.
Marissa (02:29):
that's why you have a job right like it's just to be a
productive adult and pay billsabsolutely I mean, in the end
aren't we all just living onlike a floating rock, like it's
not that serious?
Bridget (02:40):
yeah.
So if someone's like no, youhave to do a nine to five or an
eight to six.
You have to be in the officewhy absolutely.
Marissa (02:47):
I think it's interesting in this podcast
session because you have twopeople from different ends.
Right, you have bridget's thedoctor.
It is definitely probably nevergoing to be work from home with
surgeries and everything.
And then I'm a therapist that,although therapists do have
in-person options, I havepersonally chosen for me and my
personal life and my family tomake a priority that I would
like to work from home and whichI have, since I've created my
(03:08):
practice, and I'm grateful andthankful for that.
I have that option.
What I would love to know,bridget, since it's really kind
of never been an option for you,how have you felt seeing the
revolution of people get thatoption and you not?
Bridget (03:19):
Yeah.
So I think it's great and Ithink I would actually thrive in
a work from home environment.
But I'll touch on that in asecond.
I'm so jealous.
But I will say for people whodon't work from home, if you
have to go into the office, wetotally appreciate others
working from home because itstops all the commuter traffic.
Usually Mondays and Fridayspeople choose like if you're in
(03:40):
a hybrid work environment, theychoose Mondays and Fridays to
work from home for obviousreasons.
And those days are great forpeople who do have to commute in
, because the traffic is justreduced tenfold and it's nice
and easy to drive.
You're not so stressed.
So a hybrid environment or awork from home actually benefits
both parties, which is reallyimportant.
But unfortunately yeah, in mypersonal circumstances, I just
(04:02):
can't work remotely, although Itotally wish I could and I am
like a self-starter.
So I wake up, I get my stuffdone.
I rarely procrastinate.
I mean I know we all doprocrastinate because we're
humans, but that's just notreally my personality type.
So overall I don't reallystruggle to find internal
motivation to work from home.
So it would be so ideal for me,it's just not my reality right
(04:23):
now.
Unfortunately you have to gointo the hospital to get things
done.
But since COVID, there havebeen openings for remote doctors
, especially in family medicine.
So general practice, familymedicine, it's the same thing.
So, over the past couple ofmonths, though, I've been
hearing some whispers that thosejob roles that were open in
COVID and now have been open forfour years are actually being
(04:46):
taken away.
So they're going to reducethese roles and try to bring
people back into the office,which is unfortunate because of
a lot of them, like, that hasbecome their reality and they've
made it work for them and theirfamilies.
Some of them are caretakers fortheir parents, children, et
cetera, so it just it makessense for them.
It's really disappointing,actually, but, yeah, I've heard
(05:09):
some whispers from multiplesources actually, that they are
reducing those work from homeroles.
So it's usually liketelemedicine you need a family
doctor, you have a weird rash orsomething, you wake up, you
book an appointment online andit's just over your smartphone.
You basically FaceTime with thedoctor so they can see what
you're talking about and theydiagnose you and they can send
meds to your pharmacy if theyneed, which is really convenient
for everyone involved.
But, unfortunate, yeah, it'sjust so convenient, which one of
(05:31):
the best things about remotemedicine is seeking
psychological help from thecomfort of your own home.
Marissa (05:35):
Yes, absolutely, and that is unfortunate because
obviously, like you said, theybecame accustomed to it.
This is something that maybethey thought was a good
long-term fit for them.
I can't even imagine being inthe position because for me I
have gotten very comfortable.
I have my routine, I have myschedule.
I like that.
I can make it around my kids'pickup and drop-off times and
any extracurricular activitiesthat they do.
I can be present for evenparent-teacher conferences,
(05:58):
because sometimes those havereally bad times and not
everyone can make them.
But now I can make it, so thatI can always make it, and I
can't imagine that being takenaway from me.
That feels a little rough there.
Bridget (06:07):
I know I feel like we finally like cracked the code to
like being a working parent.
It's like, well, if you workfrom home, then you actually can
accomplish everythingAbsolutely.
And now it's like why would we?
Marissa (06:16):
end it.
Yes, I do see a divide, though.
I can UK, but in the US a lot ofpeople that have investments in
real estate, like the bigcorporate offices they are heavy
push for everyone to go back inbecause their investments are
in that building, they're tiedup and they love to kind of say
it's oh, it's because of work,culture and more productivity
happens in the office.
But personally I disagree, andthere are people out there that
(06:39):
may abuse it.
Right, there's always going tobe those few, but as a majority,
I think it has been veryhelpful and it has great
benefits and I think that it isthe right direction we should go
in as a society, and it saidthat there are some places that
are taking it away.
Bridget (06:52):
I mean I would definitely say like it harps on
the whole difference between,like UK, europe and US, because
as far as I'm concerned here ithas just enhanced the whole idea
that you should have time foryourself and you should have
that work-life balance, andhybrid working or working from
home gives you that freedom.
In the UK we have more paidtime off in entry-level jobs.
(07:15):
So my first year as a residentI had 29 days of PTO which I was
like, are you sure?
Like is this a mistake?
Which it was inconceivable tome at the time.
I was absolutely blown away.
And it's not uncommon forpeople in the UK and Europe to
have six to eight weeks PTO.
Once you're like at a higherlevel, it's like my
father-in-law has eight weeks.
I think my mother-in-law hasprobably six to eight weeks as
(07:37):
well.
So taking time for yourself isit's expect here it's not, you
know, like chastised and you'renot judged for it.
Like yeah, it's August, are yougoing away for August?
Like the whole month?
See you in September.
Emergency family time is alsounderstood and respected here.
For example, your child carefalls through the morning of, or
your child develops a fever andyou need to take them to the
(08:00):
doctor here in the UK.
You could call up the manageror your team early that morning,
explain the situation and thefact that you need to tend to
your child unexpectedly today.
So you know, unfortunately youcan't come into work and this
will be totally excused andallowed because obviously your
child comes before this job youhave.
So overall there's just a moreflexible and understanding
(08:22):
culture abroad than in the USand we understand things come up
.
Unfortunately you can't be intwo places at once.
So it's like if you havechildren or you care for your
parents or someone, that isreally your first priority,
because who else is going to doit?
You know you're a caretakerfirst, parent first, and then
it's your job Absolutely.
(08:42):
And I just feel like that thatis not understood in the States
and that's why a lot of peopleare like so obsessed with
getting you back in the officebecause they want to take that
flexibility away.
Marissa (08:52):
Absolutely.
I have seen in my circle offriends and colleagues, because
we prefer the work-life balanceand the ability to make our own
schedules from home, we arealmost leaving the workforce in
droves, Like to the point whereit's like I even created my own
private practice.
I was like I'm not going backto work for X, Y and Z Not
(09:13):
happening.
So it's almost like when pushcomes to shove, we're going to
get down to it, we're going tomake it happen.
Some people in my circle haveeven said they've taken pay cuts
over going to the office.
Bridget (09:29):
They would rather be home and have more work-life
balance, more family time andget paid less, than be paid an
astronomical amount and have togo in the office and barely see
their kids.
Oh my God, same Wait.
So here, if you're like adoctor in training or not in
training, you don't have to bein residency anymore.
I think you could be like at anattending consultant level.
You can go.
As of last year you could goless than full time, so it's not
quite part time.
You know you might be doing 80%of the normal hours or 60%.
(09:49):
You get to choose.
But you could go less than fulltime for no reason.
Now you don't have to claimit's because you have children
or you're a caretaker.
It could be for any reason atall and it will be approved.
You take a pay cut, obviously.
So you're, if you're working80%, you're getting paid 80.
You know, is it worth the hitto your wallet?
(10:11):
And they all say yes.
And they don't even have kids.
They're like.
It makes us feel so much betterto just have that one day off a
week, like a random Wednesday,to catch up on life, admin,
laundry, you know.
Maybe grab a meal with yourfriends, enjoy some sunshine on
your face.
It has made such a differencethat none of them are going back
full time, none of them aregoing back on, and they're all
(10:32):
like why don't you do 8%?
I'm like I'm not quite readyfor that.
I think I really need tosquirrel my money away first and
then eventually maybe do it.
But I'm like, wow, not one ofthem regrets it, despite the pay
cut.
Marissa (10:43):
In my circle.
Not one has regretted it.
They have been like this is thebest decision I've ever made.
Bridget (10:47):
It's amazing what flexibility can do.
It makes your brain feel somuch lighter.
You know, when you wake up,okay.
So I rarely have work from homedays Like literally right now I
have like a work from homeafternoon.
So it happens maybe once in ablue moon for me, but I wake up
feeling like so much lighter.
I'm like, okay, now I don't haveto go to the gym first thing in
the morning, you know the buttcrack of dawn.
I could go in the afternoonbecause I'm budgeting my own
(11:08):
time this afternoon.
Oh, I don't have to pack lunchwith me because I'm going to
come home and make myself a nicelunch and you know you don't
have to plan your whole day inadvance, whereas normally when
I'm working in the hospital,wake up really early, go to the
gym, pack my breakfast with meIf I don't have time to eat it,
pack my lunch with me, pack mysnacks, cause I'm not getting
home till maybe six at night,sometimes later if I'm about it.
It's just like, well, I goteverything I need for the whole
(11:34):
day in my bag and I'm going tolive like this, like a hobo out
of my bag and go to work.
It's just like when you havethat breath of fresh air.
I'm like, oh, I'm going to behome at 1230 today.
I get to work from home thisafternoon.
I'm like, oh my God, oh, I comehome.
I did some laundry, I worked,you know, I made myself lunch.
God, it feels great to havethat freedom and it's like I'm
an adult.
Why don't I always have thatfreedom?
(11:55):
Why can't I always decide whatI want to do?
Marissa (11:57):
also how I personally feel is we are not put on this
earth to work ourselves to death.
I'm sorry we get one life right, so like why can't I live it?
Why can't I enjoy it?
Why is majority of my lifeslaving away?
I'm not subscribing to thatanymore, I'm sorry.
Unsubscribe, I refuse, I know,uh, I'm not subscribing to that
anymore.
Bridget (12:14):
I'm sorry.
Unsubscribe, I refuse.
I know I'm not a creative, I'mnot an artist or anything like
that like a photographer, but ifI was, oh my God, that must
feel so good to have thatcomplete freedom and knowing
that you could travel whereverand take your work with you and
just kind of budget your timehowever you want.
That must feel so good.
Marissa (12:34):
I could talk a little bit on that, because obviously
my board requires that whoeverI'm seeing through telehealth
must be in the state of NewJersey.
But I do not have to be right.
I could do it from anywhere, aslong as it's a HIPAA compliant.
You know, no one can haveaccess to the room or hear my
session, right.
So that allows me to work fromanywhere, and that is really
amazing.
It gives me a lot of freedom.
(12:55):
I do feel lighter, I feel great.
You're right, there is a lot ofmental load that goes into
worrying about the next dayoutfit, lunch, getting up for
the gym, all of that, everythingthat your day entails.
And to not have to do that, tojust get up and be like, okay, I
have to.
I obviously I do that for thekids still, but once they're all
dropped off and settled, I canjust sit back and be like, ooh,
deep breath.
You know like I got this therest of my day now, until my
(13:16):
kids have to get picked up or isdictated by me and me alone.
Bridget (13:19):
Yeah, that is.
That is amazing.
That's kind of why my long-termgoal is not to be a hospitalist
doctor, like I don't want to doobstetrics and gynecology in a
hospital, because then I cannever dictate my own schedule.
Even at, like, the top of mycareer, I'll still have, like a
you know, a manager who's likeyou're in tomorrow.
So my long-term goal has alwaysbeen to have my own clinic,
(13:40):
because I want to dictate myhours, I want to make my own
schedule, I want work to workfor me.
You know I don't want to be aslave to my job.
Obviously I'll do anything formy patients and I'll make myself
available to them, but I don'twant to be a slave to the office
.
And that is always why, like, Ifound such peace of mind in
knowing that my long-term careergoals are to have my own clinic
where I make my own hours.
(14:01):
Maybe I'll do a couple ofsummer Fridays when the
weather's good, you know, like Ijust I don't want to waste my
life.
And then, when I'm 50, I'mlooking back and I'm like I I'm
looking back and I'm like Ispent so much time inside behind
a desk working at a computer.
Marissa (14:16):
And for what Exactly?
I think I could speak for theboth of us that in our lives we
have had role models thatdefinitely kind of were
empowered by working, andworking really hard, right To
protect yourself, set yourselfup later in life, and there's
nothing wrong with that, that is, it's smart, don't get me wrong
.
But unfortunately you'reworking your whole life, you're
working like a slave, and thenthe company really invested in
(14:36):
you and and I feel like there'sless now like for employees to
have loyalty to companies, ifthat makes sense yes, completely
yes so you want me to do whatolder generations were doing,
but for less?
Bridget (14:49):
no, I'm not a slave no, yes, it used to be like you
stayed at a company for 40 years, you got the gold watch for
retirement and you were happyand that company took care of
you and that's why you took careof it.
That's just not the realityanymore.
You can give your life to acompany for a few years and
you're getting almost nothingback.
Maybe you get a few extra PTOdays like sprinkled in there,
(15:11):
and they're like does that makeyou feel better?
And you're like no, like I needmore.
And that's why they're sayingmillennials and Gen Z job hop.
We're going from one job to thenext, not careers, but one
company to the next.
You know we're constantly insearch of the company that's
going to give us the better deal.
And it's like and why wouldn'tI, why wouldn't I?
Want to be at the companythat's going to pay me the best,
give me the best time off, giveme the best health benefits,
(15:33):
flexibility, and maybe likecocktail hours once a week, like
, why wouldn't I want that?
Obviously, I need the companythat is going to serve me,
because I'm serving them and I'mgiving you valuable hours of my
life and my youth.
Like I need something in return.
Marissa (15:47):
Absolutely.
I need a retirement plan, 401k,health benefits and there's no
loyalty because there's noloyalty to us.
So, yes, I do have to do what'sbest for my family and I will
job hop until I find a good fitand companies can get offended
all they want.
But if you want them to stophopping, start offering more,
start investing more into youremployees and I promise you
they'll stay.
Stop offering random benefitslike oh, you're upset, here's a
(16:09):
pizza party.
Yeah, okay, that's not helpful.
Bridget (16:11):
Yes, exactly.
If you want to invest into youremployees and your company, you
need to give them the bestopportunity to improve their own
health and their own lives, andif you do that, you will form
some loyalty and people willstick around until they figure
that out.
They got to spend money to makemoney.
They're they're going to beturning over employees left and
right, absolutely.
Marissa (16:31):
Trust me, employ will never leave.
If you truly invest in them andyou value and appreciate them
and you give them the freedom tomake their own schedules, I
promise you they'll never leave.
Yeah, they will feelappreciated.
They will feel like they candictate their own schedules.
That family can come first,which is important, and I
promise you they will neverleave.
Now, if they're leaving, you'redoing something wrong.
Bridget (16:58):
You might want to relook at things.
Yeah, so that actually bringsme to my next little topic I
want to bring up.
So there is a study.
I don't want to butcher thesenames, but it's from canada, so
sama, sudram, hackney, young do,oakman, now ruzi, kia and
yazdani in 2022.
Club uh published researchfollowing the pandemic where
they surveyed 1,617 peopleinitially and then another 382
(17:20):
people for the follow-upinterview six months later, and
they demonstrated burnout,stress, general mental health
and job insecurity levels allsignificantly decreased between
the initial interview and thefollow-up interview six months
later.
Sedentary behavior also reducedover time and a better sense of
community with co-workers wasreported over time.
What was the difference inthose six months working from
(17:42):
home because of the pandemic?
Marissa (17:43):
there you go yeah.
Bridget (17:45):
So people working from home actually demonstrated
better mental and physicalhealth and so, odd, better
community with co over time, andit's probably because everybody
felt better.
So everyone was feeling a bitmore social and weren't just
like let's get back to work,gary, you're like you feel
better, you feel lighter andyou're like you know what
Actually, yeah, let's socialize,let's bond.
So there is research out thereto suggest that overall employee
(18:09):
wellbeing does improve quitesignificantly in a working from
home or hybrid environment.
Marissa (18:14):
Absolutely and for, say , with a time off right Getting
requested.
What really gets me is thatthere's people out there that
can say at least once right thatthey worked for a company and
their time off might've beendenied.
Bridget (18:26):
Why is that?
Marissa (18:27):
Why is?
Because to me that acts likeyou think you own them.
I like to say, if I was everdoing that before, I had my own
company.
I'm not asking your permission.
I'm telling you to prepare theothers PTO, because I ain't
going to be here, okay.
So you know how many of thesecompanies think that they could
deny you because you don't ownpeople and they're entitled to
their PTO?
It's part of their benefitspackage.
Bridget (18:49):
Yeah.
So when you do residency,basically they tell you your
leave should be approved if yougive six weeks notice and it
should be approved no matterwhat.
So if there's a gap in thatROTA, that's up to the hospital
to fill it.
You need to hire a doctor, comein that day, pay them.
They need to fill that gap.
And lately what we've beenfinding is that the managers
will be like oh no, sorry, liketwo doctors already requested
(19:10):
off that day and I'm like, yeah,but I'm asking over six weeks
in advance.
Usually I ask like 10 weeks inadvance.
Well, the second I find out Ihave a wedding.
I'm like I'm requesting timeoff, you know, and they have
been rejecting it.
And recently it was only a fewdays ago, maybe last week this
big study came out Surgicalresidents 9% of them reported
clinical depression, diagnoseddepression.
I can't remember the rest ofthe stats, but a lot of them are
(19:32):
on antidepressants, some ofthem are just in therapy alone.
And one of the recommendationswas if I follow the rules and I
request PTO six weeks in advance, like you say, you cannot deny
it.
That should be a thing now.
It should be a blanketstatement.
I'm requesting it six weeks inadvance.
I'm telling you, when I have awedding or a family commitment,
a holiday or you know what Fthat I just want to go away.
(19:58):
You should have to say yes andyou have to fill that gap.
That is literally your job.
You are the manager here.
Fill that gap.
You have six weeks to do so,good luck.
Marissa (20:02):
Well, I love to say your inability to prepare
doesn't constitute an emergencyon my part.
Bridget (20:07):
Sorry, yes, why do I have to come in?
Because you can't fill that gap.
Marissa (20:11):
Six weeks is giving them plenty of time to prepare.
Don't kid yourself, that isenough time.
Bridget (20:16):
Yeah, reading the study really blew my mind.
I was working nights last weekand this kid I work with Zach.
He showed it to me and I waslike oh my God or no.
Did I show him?
I don't know, I was delirious,it was nights, I think.
I showed him and I was like, ohmy God, like this is absolutely
harrowing the amount ofsurgical residents, trainees,
who report depression, brokendown relationships.
Over 80% of them reported thatthis job has affected their
(20:39):
intimate relationships,inability to keep a wife,
husband, partner, etc.
It's really shocking and it'sall just because there is like
no work life balance when youwork in surgery.
Unfortunately, it's just likeyou know if you're signing up
for surgery to do like generalsurgery yeah, kiss your life
goodbye.
Marissa (20:58):
It's sad because these are our frontline healthcare
workers, right?
What you guys do is amazing.
You save lives and we need that, and if you keep burning people
out, you think anyone's goingto want to go into this career
anymore.
But we need it.
We don't want to be at a placewhere we're lacking that.
That would be a scary world.
Bridget (21:10):
Yeah, exactly, I think they are going to be hurting for
more competitive specialtieslike surgery.
So for a while it was likesurgery was so hard to get a
role, Everybody wanted a job init, and this is in the past year
.
I think this is the first timethey've actually seen the number
of applicants fall becausepeople are actively choosing
(21:30):
themselves and their mentalhealth and their romantic
relationships and their youthover a career in surgery.
So for the first time we'reseeing a bit of a drop in
applications and we think thatit's not going to be as
competitive as a specialty inthe next few years.
Marissa (21:44):
That's really sad because obviously the career
you're in is super important,it's super impactful and you
change lives, you save lives,and things come up in the
medical field all the time,right Like there's always new
diseases, new things that youneed to find cures for.
So the last thing we need isless doctors and less people in
this profession.
Bridget (22:02):
It's a shame we talk about it all the time.
Burnout is like the biggestthreat to doctors.
So, like as we've previouslydiscussed, like, your physical
health improves when your mentalhealth improves.
So if you could reduce stressand burnout, we could reduce the
physical manifestations ofthese illnesses.
So changes in weight, lack ofappetite, nausea, vomiting,
heart racing, palpitations, youknow, stress, ulcers and so on.
(22:23):
When people experience thesymptoms of burnout, they're
more likely to describe frequentviral type illnesses like aches
, pains, fevers, lethargy.
Burnout is associated with ahigher risk of cardiovascular
disease, type two diabetes, jobdissatisfaction, increase of
long-term sickness, absence andpermanent work disability.
That's from the nationalInstitute of health.
So you know, if you'reexperiencing burnout, it's
(22:47):
affecting your mental health,it's affecting your physical
health and now, because of yourphysical health is declining,
you're taking long-term sicknessleave or permanent work
disability.
It's so counterproductive.
All because you're trying towork more hours.
You're actually now disabledand you can't work and it just
makes no sense.
It's like the most viciouscycle, yet no one seems to know
how to stop it and it's like nipit in the bud before you get to
(23:09):
burnout level.
People think that being aworkaholic makes them more
productive, but they actuallyare potentially taking years off
of their lives and aredefinitely reducing the overall
amount of time they can sustainproductive work.
So if you want to play the longgame and you want like a
healthy, happy career, you needwork-life balance.
This ensures a prolongedproductive, fulfilling work life
(23:30):
.
Marissa (23:30):
Yeah, just to touch a little bit on that, I feel like
with workaholics and every youknow all those kinds of terms
that are related to that,throughout my life I've seen
that that's kind of alwayspraised right Like that's the
goal, that's what they want.
For me.
I personally I feel like thathas been what capitalism wants
you to believe, because you knowthey need worker bees.
(23:54):
But I just don't really believein that anymore.
I have had people tell me like,oh, you only work this amount
of hours and they give me thewhole vibe where they just think
you know you could be doingmore.
You seem a little lazy to be abusiness owner, but I don't.
They can think what they wantof me.
My business is thriving, I'mthriving, my family's thriving.
This is how I choose to live mylife and it's sad that you
don't.
I'm sorry that you fell forthat narrative that you had to
work yourself into an earlygrave.
That's really sad for you.
That might work for you, but itdoes not work for me and I
definitely do not intend to dothat.
Bridget (24:16):
I completely endorse, like working, fulfilling work.
But if your whole mindset is,I'm just going to slave away so
I can retire a little bit early,which nowadays is still like 60
, like your early retirementused to be like 50.
Now nowadays is still like 60.
Like your early retirement usedto be like 50.
Now it's like 60, 65.
(24:36):
Like people aren't retiringbefore then but at the end of
the day, like that's completelyyour, your decision, you're
capable of making your ownchoices.
But if that's your motivation,you're still going to be 60 or
65, then you're not going to be30 again.
You'll never get that back.
You'll never get that youthback and you will regret not
enjoying the tiny moments youcan while you were younger.
Marissa (24:49):
Oh, absolutely.
I mean, I've had people kind ofdisagree with the way that I
view the world and similar to,obviously, what you and I are
saying here, but I love to say,like everything that you're
saying about, like, no, you needto work harder.
I've literally proven to youbecause, in your mind, if I
don't work hard enough, howcould I have been an owner?
Well, okay, well, I'm an owner,so all right.
Well, then you won't be able tohave employees, all right, I
(25:10):
have employees now.
Now, what?
What?
Now, what are you going tothrow at me?
Well, overall, it won't besuccessful, all right.
Well, it's doing pretty danggood.
I mean not not to jinx myself,but we're doing pretty good and
my employees are satisfied and Icommunicate with them
frequently.
And's like they can keepthrowing this stuff at me, but
everything they say I disprove,like everything that you think
(25:31):
happened if someone worked less.
I am proving you wrong.
So what do you have now?
Please throw it at me.
Bridget (25:36):
Exactly, yeah, you just prove that there are many ways
to get to the same outcome, manyways to skin a cat.
You know, like you, you couldstill have a successful business
and be an owner and haveemployees and still manage your
time effectively however youwant.
Marissa (25:51):
Yeah, absolutely.
Also, I know what we weretalking about earlier, about the
companies and their officespaces and how they have real
estate in that and theirinvestments in that you know
they could probably redirectthese resources.
You know, get rid of the officespaces, take all that and put
it back into the employees, givethem more benefits, and the
employees also get to save ontransportation, dining and
professional attire.
So they're saving money theretoo.
Bridget (26:13):
Oh, definitely.
I think the savings to peopleworking from home because you're
not commuting, maybe buyinglunch out in the city, et cetera
, is astronomical.
That's why I'm really jealousof you guys.
Marissa (26:24):
Oh boy.
Also, when I did back in theday, when I worked for a big
company for mental health, letme tell you, I promise you I'm
more productive now because Iwould just walk I was the person
that walked around the officeand just chatted.
I was that person because I waslike screw it, because either I
was the person who did all mywork already and I was bored
Cause I I mean, I was like I canprove to you I don't need eight
hours to do my work.
This is ridiculous or I knew,because it didn't take eight
(26:45):
hours, I would save it to likethe last few hours of the
workday, so the whole beginningof the workday.
I would just be like this is asocial outing, this is great.
So it's like.
It's like I still got, but noone ever caught me or had issues
with me because I still did mywork and I did it on time and it
was good.
Bridget (27:05):
It wasn't you know bad work.
It was great work, but in thefuture I'm going to have more
time with my colleagues and myown children.
Marissa (27:11):
Is that not sad?
Like your family's, your legacyand what you pour into it is so
important.
Bridget (27:16):
Yeah, we.
So.
We, Marissa and I, grew up witha very workaholic environment
and I know people say workaholicall the time but like truly to
fit the workaholic archetype,like not many people do, but I
would say our mom does.
Marissa (27:31):
Yes, yes.
Bridget (27:32):
Yeah, like work at the expensive LLs.
Marissa (27:35):
I will preface this by saying there is nothing wrong
with that and I truly believeshe does.
If she enjoys that and itbrings her value and comfort,
fine, because there are peopleout there, it's their
personality type and they feelbetter by being productive,
great, that's great.
Only issue I have is when a lotof people try to force that
down your throat because that'snot going to work.
Bridget (27:54):
Yeah, definitely.
But we saw like I mean again,it makes her happy but we saw
the not so great sides of it,like I would say, when we were
younger, like grade school age,I felt like my mom was like this
woman who made the rules buthad no better understanding of
that.
I know I don't know if thatmakes sense Like it was like I
don't know, we had no closenessand it wasn't until I was in
(28:16):
high school and she had manymore employees and was finally
able to, like, take a breath offresh air.
That it was like we developed aclose relationship and it was
like, I'm sorry, who are youLike?
All of a sudden, you're comingto all of my events.
Marissa (28:27):
And she joined the pta, remember, and everyone was like
, I'm sorry, you have a mom well, one of my favorite memories of
our mom is what she would tellus um, we were like one of the
last not the last, I won't giveher that bad but like one of the
last to get picked up fromeither dance or cheer practice.
And we would call her and wewould be like where are you?
practice ended 15 minutes agoand she'd be like I'm five
minutes away, I'm already in thecar, but you could hear that
(28:48):
there was no car in thebackground and you knew she was
in her office and we were likeyou haven't left the office yet
and she was like no, I haven'tnever left.
Bridget (28:58):
Yeah, she was like I'm right around the corner.
Never so many times aftersoccer practice I was left there
alone and like one parent wouldalways stay behind.
Obviously they're not justgonna leave like a nine-year
unattended, and they'd alwaysstay back and be like Do you
want me to call your mom's cellphone one more time?
And I'd be like, no, it's okay,like you could go.
And they're like, no, I'll waitwith you, honey, jerry.
(29:19):
20 minutes late, 30 minuteslate.
And meanwhile this poor mom ordad is giving up their own time
just waiting behind and I'm likeI'm really sorry.
Marissa (29:26):
It's hard because, number one, she was in a
profession which is very muchyou have to be present, you
can't not be present.
She opened it really before youcould do like work from home,
things like with thetechnological advances, so it
wasn't even like it wasavailable to her.
So she also had to, like yousaid, she had to build her
business up before she couldfully take a step back and be
involved in your stuff while youwere in high school.
(29:47):
So that is hard, you know.
So I don't knock her for that.
I understand that.
It's not like she had a jobwhere she could be like.
Well, you know, family comesfirst and then eventually, she
did try to make it right, but itis.
It's hard.
It's hard and because we grewup in that environment, I think
you and I are very pro work lifebalance, you know yeah first.
Bridget (30:05):
Yeah, definitely.
I just don't ever want to.
Like I feel like it stressesher out all the time.
Guys like no joke, she is, she61 and she will still work until
two or three in the morning onher computer down in her office.
Like that is a true obsession.
I'm like please stop Go to bed.
Marissa (30:21):
Please go to bed.
Bridget (30:21):
Yeah, it's madness.
Marissa (30:23):
Madness, you could, you could.
You will not catch me doingthat.
I'll let you know that rightnow, never.
Bridget (30:27):
Oh my God, no way.
I value sleep, way too much.
Marissa (30:30):
Yeah, no, also, in the beginning she was heavily the
reason.
When I opened my practice shewas like you're going to have to
take anyone that you feel thatyou can help in the beginning,
because until you get a fullcaseload you can't be picky
choosy, which I do agree with.
But in the beginning I washaving someone come in on a
Saturday, a weekend day, which Ido not allow now, and I really
wasn't happy with it.
I felt, like you know, I wasgiving up some of my family time
(30:52):
and also that this was heavilyinfluenced by my mom and the way
that she did her business andshe felt like mine would be
successful as well.
And once that clientsuccessfully discharged, I never
offered it again because I satback and I realized that really
wasn't something that I did forme.
It might've been a little bitof people pleasing and giving my
mom what she wanted to hearversus what you know, thinking.
Oh well, she ran successfulbusiness.
(31:12):
She must be right, you know.
But I took a step back and Iwas like you know what this
doesn't really fit with myvalues and I'm no longer
offering weekend sessions andyou know, if clients need
weekend sessions, I am more thanwilling to refer them to people
that I know have theavailability and can help them.
But you know, my ideal clientdoes not fit that narrative for
me.
I'm sorry.
Bridget (31:29):
Yeah, that's a good point.
It's just kind of likedeveloping and coming into your
own and realizing what actuallyworks for you.
And you come to that throughtrial and error.
And yeah, of course, whenyou're trying to build a
business, at first it might feellike you're working like a dog.
But as long as you know thatthis is not my forever and I'm
not going to torture myself likethis forever, it's just to
build a business, then that'scompletely fine and that's just
(31:51):
part of being an owner.
As long as you eventuallydevelop those healthy boundaries
and you're like okay, I'm at apoint in my life, actually,
where I don't have to work likea dog.
I still want to work reallyhard and provide for my family,
but I also need to be the bestversion of myself and in order
to do that I need someboundaries.
I need a couple of hours Like Ineed to breathe.
Marissa (32:10):
No, absolutely.
So it is something I've had totake a step back and think about
and I just decided what wasbest for me and my family.
A lot of those Saturdays, too,were spent like John got to take
the kids somewhere fun just toget them out of the house so I
could have a quiet session, andit just got sad.
I felt like I was like I wantto go, I want to go to the park,
I want to go get ice cream, Iwant to go to the beach.
Bridget (32:29):
Oh my God, which park, the blue park.
Marissa (32:30):
Yes, obviously the blue park.
It's a really great park in myneighborhood.
Bridget (32:35):
I want to go to the blue park.
That's my impression of mynephew.
Marissa (32:38):
And you know they're making memories and you know my
session would be me.
I choose family every time.
Bridget (32:55):
That is very commendable, very nice yeah.
Marissa (32:58):
Not everyone agrees with that, of course.
Everyone would see.
Some people see thisdifferently and some people
think probably, well, she'smessing up and that's fine, Like
again, this isn't a one sizefits all.
We aren't saying, oh my God,you must have work-life balance.
If you truly enjoy working andit gives you purpose, you do
that.
Bridget (33:15):
All I'm asking is don't push that on other people.
Let everyone choose what's bestfor them.
Yeah, definitely, definitely.
And maybe explore something new.
Maybe because I used to.
Definitely because of the waywe were raised, I was like I
would never have work-lifebalance, like I'm going to work,
like I'm crazy to the bone.
And then I became an adult andI was like, oh my God, wow, it's
really mentally draining.
Actually, I could use a day offor so.
Marissa (33:34):
Absolutely.
I was able to do that wholeworkaholic lifestyle in my mid
twenties, you know, without kids.
I don't even think I had amortgage until I was 28.
So you know, I had a lot lessgoing on, a lot less stress and
bills and yeah sure, what elsewas I going to do?
I didn't have to worry aboutkids or pets, so sure I was
willing to do that work like adog.
But you know, my prioritieschange.
They change.
Bridget (33:55):
Yeah, it has a lot to do with shifting priorities.
Definitely, I always thought Iwould never take maternity leave
.
I don't know why.
I just in my head, I was like,nope, I'll just maybe take that
month off to recover physically.
And then I'll just like I wantto get back in the game.
And now that I'm pregnant I'mlike, oh no, no, no, I'm taking
all the time allowed that I canhave because it's time that
(34:16):
you'll never get back to bondwith your child.
And I do have a very demandingjob, and so does my husband.
So you know, this child,unfortunately, will be in a lot
of daycare.
So you know like you have toseize that moment while you can,
absolutely, absolutely and alittle bit more.
Marissa (34:30):
On the whole working from home, it gives us access to
global talent.
Now you know, we can accesstalent without geographical
barriers, and companies canrecruit top talent from around
the world.
Now I think that's a great toolto have, and you want someone
who's the best for that role,right?
If it opens up the pool to moreapplicants, that's amazing.
Bridget (34:49):
Yeah, absolutely.
Marissa (34:50):
No, and also we touched on it a little bit with you
know, taking care of family andputting family first.
But there's also a part of thepopulation that working from
home is very helpful becausemaybe they have a disability,
maybe they have caregivingresponsibilities, so being
flexible and making their ownhours and maybe even being home
with someone they're taking careof, that's very helpful.
Bridget (35:13):
And definitely with the globalization thing that's
really common in medicine, likeradiologists will be on call
from different countries.
And I think that is soincredible because with
radiologists you are reading,you know, imaging, x-rays, mri,
cts from anywhere in the world.
So it's not uncommon for whenI'm working on a night shift
there will be radiologists fromlike New Zealand or India, on
different time zones wherethey're reading those reports
(35:34):
and reporting on them.
I find that so interesting.
Marissa (35:37):
That is, they can get access to doctors or any
whatever you're seeking rightLike the best person for
whatever you need.
So for a doctor, say.
Someone in your local areadoesn't have the specific
training that you know thatsuits their problem or their
diagnoses, and now they couldsee an expert in that.
That is really going to behelpful for them.
Bridget (35:56):
Yeah, and because of technology, really, you should
be able to access that no matterwhere you are, and that is
incredible and reallyrevolutionizing medicine, I'd
say, is.
But that's more about just liketechnology and the ability to
reach other people.
It's pretty incredible.
Marissa (36:10):
Yeah, absolutely.
Covid was not good for a lot ofpeople, but I will say it did
give us this whole like workfrom home movement and I am
grateful for that at least.
And for those who are taking itaway from their employees, I
really hope you reconsiderbecause unless it's like again
like my mom was a funeraldirector or Bridget who was a
doctor, obviously they need theyneed to be in person for their
(36:31):
roles.
Other than that, you know, comeon why.
Why do people have to come in?
That's ridiculous.
If they're getting their workdone and you can see that it's
good work, it's in on time andthere's never been an issue with
this employee.
Just cut the micromanaging.
Please Just cut it out.
Bridget (36:45):
Yes, preach girl, just stop, let people live.
Marissa (36:49):
Let people live.
I feel like I'm very happy withthis movement.
Obviously, it suits mylifestyle.
I will not be giving it up everYou'll have to take me.
Wow, people are like what isgoing on with this one, and
obviously Bridget mentioned thatshe would love this route if it
ever comes available to her inthe future.
Bridget (37:11):
Yeah, I would love that .
I don't foresee it for me withreproductive medicine,
unfortunately, but that's okay,a girl could dream.
Marissa (37:18):
Right.
So you could still definitelygo off of work-life balance,
though, where maybe you're onlydoing certain work days.
If you own your own practice inthe future, you know.
Bridget (37:27):
Oh yeah, definitely, Definitely, I've thought about
that.
Yeah, I would have to put somestrict boundaries on myself,
really, yeah.
Marissa (37:34):
To just Does Ted have to shackle you from going into
the office?
No, Bridget, no Stay home.
Bridget (37:42):
No, you know, like you.
Just I don't know.
I think you feel like you wantto help as many people as
possible in a short period oftime.
I'm kind of known for beingvery fast in the hospital.
That's like all I'm known for.
They're like she's really fastand I'm like, yes, because I
want to efficiently help peopleas quickly as possible, and it's
kind of hard to like not fallinto that trap.
I think of like you want tomaximize your clinic hours, I
(38:02):
guess, so that you can see asmany patients as once.
But I honestly my brain isfried sometimes after a work day
and that's not helpful to me ormy patients.
So I think in the future, if Idid have my own practice, I
would really have to set somestrict boundaries and make sure
I don't completely overdo it.
Marissa (38:18):
And you have to remember you know, doing that
and taking care of your mentalhealth too makes you a better
doctor, makes you more fullycapable to show up a hundred
percent.
Bridget (38:27):
Yeah, exactly.
Marissa (38:30):
So, like you said, it's a good dream for your future,
like your, your end game, soit's good that that is an option
for you eventually the verydistant future, unfortunately
say it well you know, but Ithink overall there's more in it
than what we've discussed moreinformation on working from home
.
What we've talked about ishonestly a small blip of this
(38:50):
whole movement, but these aredefinitely our thoughts and I'm
glad you guys are listening in.
We appreciate you guys, asalways.
Bridget (38:56):
Yes, guys, thank you so much for listening in.
Please like and subscribe andfollow us.
The handle is atpsychoticpypodcast.
That's where you can find us onYouTube and socials.
So that's at psychotic P?
Y podcast.
Please let us know if there'sanything specific you want to
hear us talk about.
We are so happy to answerquestions and harp on comments
(39:20):
and talk about topics that youwant to, you know, hear about,
because we're here to serve youguys, we're here to educate you
guys and have fun conversations.
So let us know and we'llmention it in our next episode.
Marissa (39:30):
Absolutely so.
On that note, take careeverybody Till next episode Bye
bye.
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