The Naked Ambition of OldFatMan

[oldfatman]

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I thought I would throw this out there. Jack Welch called moving up "Getting out of the pile". How does one get out of the pile in pathology? I thought of a VPMA/CMO to CEO track, but I doubt this would be feasible for a non-clinician. Some (PRN) say take up writing like Michael Crichton, but having a breakthrough novel (DaVinci Code) seems like very much a long shot.

How does someone make it to 7 figures? The path to 6 seemed clearer.

 

[lipomas]

You do realize that if there is no simple way to make 7 figures a year, right? If it was really easy all of those easy pathways would have been taken already. If it was as simple as working harder than others that would be more obvious. What you have to do is do something that others cannot do, or think of something crucial that others haven't thought of or that you can apply in a new way. Innovate, in a word. People like to think it's as obvious as doing certain fellowship combinations or getting more letters after their name. WRONG. The other way is to simply be lucky. Most of the 7 figure pathologists are intelligent, yes, and work hard but they also had circumstances beyond their control that they were able to take advantage of.

Everything is a long shot. Luck and timing are the biggest factors. Hard work of course is also important but most people work hard, and someone is always going to work harder than you no matter how hard you work. There is nothing I detest more than asswipes providing "advice" on how to make a million dollars. What a waste of time. They were successful because they did something different that is probably now commonplace.

 

[Parts Unknown]

How does someone make it to 7 figures?

If you're old, fat, and naked, I'd say some type of niche pornography market.

 

[oldfatman]

If you're old, fat, and naked, I'd say some type of niche pornography market.

Perhaps I could package an emesis basin with the product.

Thank you, lipomas, for spelling out what was right in front of me.

 

[yaah]

7 figure salaries are not common in medicine - those that are out there are almost all from either people who have international reputations (which are earned), from people who have significant administrative tasks (which are also generally earned), and from those with good entrepreneurial skills. Luck and timing, as said above, are generally hugely important in all three of these.

You don't just get a 7 figure salary by working hard and being good at what you do.

 

[malchik]

1) Come up with some idiotic new diet or make a link between some commonly used product and cancer.
2) Write a book, put MD after your name on the cover, and get on Oprah.
3) Profit

 

[oldfatman]

1) Come up with some idiotic new diet or make a link between some commonly used product and cancer.
2) Write a book, put MD after your name on the cover, and get on Oprah.
3) Profit

I think you need to be an internist with an ivy league education to pull a stunt like that. It looks like the only viable option is entrepreneurship.

 

[oldfatman]

I just read a very entertaining book called "The Manipulated Man". High salaries for enhanced breeding rights. Pick yourself up a copy.

 

[deleted314957]

I thought I would throw this out there. Jack Welch called moving up "Getting out of the pile". How does one get out of the pile in pathology? I thought of a VPMA/CMO to CEO track, but I doubt this would be feasible for a non-clinician. Some (PRN) say take up writing like Michael Crichton, but having a breakthrough novel (DaVinci Code) seems like very much a long shot.

How does someone make it to 7 figures? The path to 6 seemed clearer.

What is your point? Things change. It comes and goes . In 1993 I had a w-2 of $700.000. Probably about an equivalent 1 million today. I was an owner of a business. We sold and the 700k w-2 is history. The payoff was much bigger and now the w-2 looks like the employee that I am.

In general, as a pathologist, own a business that someone wants to buy, sell it and make money. It is a great way to turn income (eg the big salary and bonus of $700/year taxed as regular income at high rates) into a large influx of cash (3M taxed as long term capital gains). Then you have the nice nest nest egg and the salary cut does not feel so bad.

 

[oldfatman]

Then you have the nice nest nest egg and the salary cut does not feel so bad.

Thanks for responding. Yes, it comes and goes. It's all very nice until some enterprising lawyer (divorce, malpractice, or otherwise) comes along and cleans you out. Best to be able to live with less, instead of taking that dive out the window like a year 1929 stockbroker.

Anything you have can be taken away except what is between your ears (see history of Viktor Frankl).

I think my previous search for a much higher income was a residual, fading goal of my genetically programmed search for a mate in my twenties. Since I have mated and produced two adorable children, there is no longer any need to search for a mate. Thus, no need to find an even higher income.

Let me say, though, it is a pleasure to have so many intelligent people to chat with on this board.

 

[Sulfinator]

What a peculiar thread.