Stop Complaining About Burnout—Start Buying Back Your Time
Why buying back just one day a month can change everything.
“What then is freedom? The power to live as one wishes.” -Cicero
I’m going to say something that might sting a little:
Complaining about burnout isn’t going to fix it.
We’ve all had days where the patient load is heavy, the inbox is overflowing, and the system feels stacked against us. It’s tough—and it’s real.
But here’s the truth: no one is coming to save us.
Hospital administrators aren’t about to overhaul their systems for physician wellness. Insurance companies aren’t suddenly going to pay us more for doing less. Legislators aren’t rewriting the rules anytime soon.
So what’s left? Agency.
The only real antidote to burnout is creating choices.
And the fastest way to create choices is by building income streams that don’t depend on picking up more shifts.
When you have a side hustle, consulting contract, or nonclinical role that brings in real money, something changes:
You stop feeling cornered.
You can say “yes” or “no” from a position of strength.
You can carve out time for yourself and your family without guilt.
That’s when burnout loosens its grip.
The Reframe
Instead of asking: “How do I endure this system?”
Start asking: “How do I create space from it?”
Here’s the simplest place to start: buy back just one day a month.
One side gig or nonclinical contract that covers even a single shift gives you breathing room. It’s not about quitting medicine—it’s about having margin.
For me, the turning point was realizing I could cover a shift’s worth of pay with a weekend of chart review. That freedom gave me options. And options are the cure for burnout.
The First Step
If you’re not sure where to begin, file review is one of the easiest on-ramps.
It’s flexible, remote, and often pays by the case—not the hour. That means you can scale it up or down depending on your schedule.
To give you a taste, I put together a free guide:
👉 10 Cases, 10 Minutes, 9 Pages: Learn File Review Fast
It’ll show you exactly how the process works and why it’s such a practical starting point.
The Challenge
If you’re tired of feeling stuck—stop complaining. Start building. Even buying back one day a month can change your outlook.
👉 Want to see how other docs are creating options for themselves? Join us inside the Side Hustle Stethoscope Skool community. We’re not just talking about burnout—we’re building agency.