Doing the Right Thing (or Taking the Easy Way Out) Recently, I’ve taken on a significant teaching responsibility. I didn’t have to do it, but I’ve done it anyway. Why not take the easy way out and enjoy life more? Friday’s Digest #155 Last week, I didn't publish a newsletter. That was the easy way out. Physically, not mentally. Physically, I had more time on the weekend, one less item on my to-do list, and no financial impact (I don't make money from this newsletter). Mentally, it was...
8 days ago • 1 min read
How Do You Back Up Your Data? “I trust my computer” or “I trust my university file system” are both wrong answers. So, how should you back up your data? Friday’s Digest #154 Life Update Being a surgeon and maintaining a healthy diet don't go well together. I've been struggling with this since my residency days. But recently, I finally found a solution! The challenge was simple: I don't bring food from home. I don’t have the energy to prepare meals in advance, and I don't want to carry around...
22 days ago • 3 min read
Finding Your Niche (or: What to Do After Finishing School or Residency) Deciding what to do after completing your training is a huge deal. Today I will share what I’ve learned. Friday’s Digest #153 Life Update The comments I received on last week's newsletter made me smile. If you missed it, I wrote about returning to writing on real paper and devoting 25% of my research time to creative thinking. Let me answer some of your comments here: No, I haven't abandoned my computer. And no, I haven't...
29 days ago • 3 min read
From Digital to Analog: Why I Returned to Books, Pens and Notepads I now devote 25% of my research time to creative thinking. During this stage, no phones or computers are allowed. Friday's Digest #152 Table of contents Life Update Tools and Tips Stuff Life Update A couple of weeks ago, I devoted the newsletter to the concept of "Mind Management, not Time Management." It was based on a book by David Kadavy with the same title. The book essentially discusses how to plan your schedule to...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
The 4 Stages You Undergo Before You Become an Expert (or: Why Failure is Better Than Success) Many consider themselves “experts”. But only a few reach the highest level. Spoiler alert - those are the ones who failed. Friday’s Digest #151 Table of contents Story Time! Tools and Tips Readers’ Favorite Stuff Story Time! I'm in high school. 10th grade. A few days ago, we took our final physics test. I love physics. Before this test, I even helped my classmates study for it. We used to stay after...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Should I Continue Writing This Newsletter? After 150 issues, it's time to look back on 3 years of writing this newsletter. Friday's Digest #150. Table of contents Life Update Tools and Tips Readers’ Favorite Stuff Life Update This week, a manuscript of mine got published. In short— it's about using small pieces of tumor (that was just resected) to predict a response to treatment. Long version— my goal is to develop treatments for Head and Neck Cancer that utilize our immune system to beat...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
What to Do When You Have Zero Motivation (and: Why Some People Don't Mind "Wasting" Time) What do I do when I've run out of motivation? And why do some people not mind standing in a slow line at the grocery store? Friday’s Digest #149 Table of contents Life Update Tools and Tips Readers’ Favorite Stuff Life Update This week I was again sleep deprived 🥱. Having been in this situation more times than I can remember, I'm used to what it entails. Aside from feeling tired, it kills my creativity...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
The Power of Reading Less (and: How Rotating My Computer Screen 90 Degrees Changed Everything for Me) I can't believe I hadn't thought of this before! I recently flipped my computer screen from landscape to portrait. This is why you should, too. Friday's Digest #148. Table of contents Life Update Tools and Tips Readers’ Favorite Stuff Life Update Last weekend I had some alone time and decided to catch up on my reading. Not scientific reading. Leisure reading. With scientific reading, I want...
2 months ago • 5 min read
Happy Birthday! (and: The Little Things During Wartime) Even during wartime, there are the little things. Also: How should I celebrate my birthday? Friday’s Digest #147 Table of contents Life Update Tools and Tips Readers’ Favorite Stuff Life Update Today is my birthday! It's funny— it always takes me a moment to remember exactly how old I am. Don't get me wrong, I'm not having trouble remembering my age. It's more like: "I'm 45. No, wait. 44. No, no. 45. It's 45." I assume there's a...
2 months ago • 3 min read