This Episode is sponsored by Ryze Health 

Running your own practice shouldn’t mean struggling with rising health insurance costs. That’s why a physician designed Ryze Health Premium Insurance—exclusive coverage crafted for independent doctors, their teams, and families. Imagine lowering costs while gaining the freedom to focus fully on patients and the people who matter most. Discover how much you could save at ryzehealth.com and join the growing network of doctors choosing smarter coverage. Follow @RyzeHealth on Instagram and LinkedIn.

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Why do physicians work 60-hour weeks yet feel unfulfilled? 

In this episode of Bootstrap MD, Dr. Mike Woo-Ming shares a powerful lesson from PIMD Con 2025, where Dr. Peter Kim’s rock jar demonstration—using rocks, pebbles, sand, and water—illustrated the cost of filling life with trivial tasks instead of meaningful priorities. Reflecting on his decision to prioritize school pickups for his son and a colleague’s near-fatal health scare, Dr. Woo-Ming explores how urgency and metrics trap physicians in “sand.” He offers a practical five-step “doctor’s orders” plan to schedule big rocks, set boundaries, and reassess priorities, empowering physicians to combat burnout and design sustainable, joy-filled careers.

Top 3 Takeaways:

• Big Rocks First: Schedule non-negotiable priorities like health, family time, and personal purpose before less critical tasks, ensuring they fit into your life’s “jar.”

• Sweep Out the Sand: Identify and eliminate time-wasters like excessive emailing, doom-scrolling, or unproductive meetings by setting boundaries and delegating tasks.

• Reassess and Reflect: Regularly evaluate your energy, mood, and relationships to ensure your “big rocks” remain protected as life’s priorities evolve, preventing existential burnout.

About the Show:

Bootstrap MD is the ultimate podcast for physician entrepreneurs looking to escape traditional healthcare and control their financial futures. Hosted by Dr. Mike Woo-Ming, a successful physician, entrepreneur, and investor, the show delivers actionable insights on starting businesses, creating passive income, and navigating healthcare entrepreneurship. Featuring interviews with industry leaders, physicians, and experts in telemedicine and digital health, it’s your guide to building a profitable, fulfilling career. 

Tune in weekly at  http://bootstrapmd.com 

 About the Host:

Dr. Mike Woo-Ming has over 20 years of experience as a physician entrepreneur. He’s built and sold multiple seven-figure companies and now leads Executive Medical, a group of clinics specializing in age management and aesthetics. Through BootstrapMD, he mentors physicians in business, content creation, and autonomy.

Let’s Connect: www.https://www.bootstrapmd.com 

 Want to start a podcast? Check out the Doctor Podcast Network!

Tags:

Physician Burnout, Work-Life Balance, Physician Entrepreneurship, Prioritization, Sustainable Careers, Gratitude, Resilience, Personal Growth