Do You Live to Work?

You'll never regret taking a break from work to spend time with your family or do something you enjoy.

Dr. Simran Malhotra is a palliative care specialist. Recently, she shared how her experiences with patients influenced her own life: “For me, working in palliative care has been a powerful reminder of what really matters in life. I hope that by sharing some of the most common regrets of my patients, it will inspire you to live a life with no regrets.”

She frequently asks terminally ill patients, “What brings you joy?” and “What is most important to you?' 

Dr. Malhotra said that most responses center around the issues of self-love and interpersonal connection, and that the three most common regrets were:

1. Not spending more time with loved ones, including years not seeing them due to trivial disagreements.

2. Spending too much time on/at work rather than dedicating more time to developing themselves or with their families. 

3. Lacking the courage to pursue a life that was more true to their innermost self, their passions and their desires, rather than living for other people's expectations.

Dr. Malhotra’s recommendations:

Make time for your loved ones and don't take them for granted. While work and everyday life will undoubtedly pull us in countless directions, regularly check in with yourself to determine if you're distributing your time and energy in a balanced way that aligns with your highest values.

Work to live, don't live to work. You'll never regret taking a break from work to spend time with your family or do something you enjoy. But you may regret working too much and missing out on the magic moments in your life.

Dr. Malhotra also emphasized, “Be true to yourself. Follow your heart and pursue your passions. Don't let others dictate how you should live your life. You'll be much happier looking back on a life lived authentically, even if it wasn't always easy.”

Frank Manfre

Job Search Sherpa & Career Coach

#worklifebalance