A Question You HAVE To Ask Yourself

Listen to my podcast, @DoctorMikeCheckup, here:

Help us continue the fight against medical misinformation and change the world through charity by becoming a Doctor Mike Resident on Patreon where every month I donate 100% of the proceeds to the charity, organization, or cause of your choice! Residents get access to bonus content, an exclusive discord community, and many other perks for just $10 a month. Become a Resident today:

Let’s connect:

Executive Producer: Doctor Mike
Production Director and Editor: Dan Owens
Managing Editor and Producer: Sam Bowers
Editor and Designer: Caroline Weigum
Editor: Juan Carlos Zuniga

* Select photos/videos provided by Getty Images *

** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional **

[gdxnsk]

Im currently on med school and I need to remind me of this constantly. I dont have to be here, I want to, despite of the stress and pressure that comes with it.

[Vesperitis]

You just described the breakthrough I had with therapy. For too long I had the mentality of “I have to do this to succeed” and I could never feel good or satisfied enough, even after I had a big achievement. Once I dropped that mentality, now I’m more “I want to do this because I want to”, even though it’s the exact same tasks and deadlines, but I don’t stress or procrastinate anymore, simply because I’m not burdened by the fear of failure or rejection.

[katdenning]

Often, it’s not that we want to do something, it’s that we don’t want the consequences of not doing that thing. This is because the consequence is usually more stressful than the thing we don’t want to do.

[dan_rad]

Dani Rojas and Dr Mike. The crossover we didn’t know we needed.

[SickbeanDreamer]

This is so true, I’ve dealt with this before and seeing it through the lenses of “wanting” it makes it easier to decide what is best for us

[darianroscoe]

My mom used to guilt trip me into things by saying, "You have to do this for family, " and I would answer, "No, I DON'T have to do it. I will (or won't) do it, but I don't have to." Sometimes I did, often I didn't. People don't understand choice.

[mahnamahna]

My therapist put me through exercises to show how the way we phrase things to ourselves impacts us. "I should/I have to.." will give us a sense of guilt when we aren't able to accomplish the task or if stress starts up. "I would like to" makes it clear that its for pleasure and not a do or die responsibility and not a force to start building stress.

[cremebrulee]

The words we use to talk to and about ourselves matter so much. The difference between "have to" and "want to" is huge. It takes from being a victim to having the power.

[Ronnock]

Or, "we *get* to do something." It's truly a privilege to be capable of doing things, especially even the mundane.

[KaciCallahan]

my therapist doesn’t allow “should’s” or “should not’s”!! game changer

[solitarelee]

This is the key thing that keeps me going at my current high stress job despite having quit my previous high stress job. I didn't WANT to be doing that. I HAD to, to make ends meet, to survive, and I was miserable about it. My current job doesn't pay as much and comes with its own stress about like, do I buy food or gas this week, but it's at least something I want to be doing.

[maricruzcastillo]

Thank you Dr. Mike for the information you give us about what is correct and what is not correct that people should do and I send you a big hug for you also for dog bear and Roxy and when are you going to make a video again with bear, Roxy, your nephews and your sister 🤓

[adenbuhl]

A sense of control is so important to a persons health. I love this type of content.

[BetsyRoberts-ue]

Dr. Mike, as a former therapist I think you could be a wonderful mental health professional. I know you are in family medicine, which is wonderful because I know people aren't going into that specialty much anymore. Thanks for everything you do

[Intrinsety]

This might be one of the single greatest pieces of advice I've ever heard

[flyingmanx]

Every time I want to do something or buy something, I go ask my father for his advice, and he always tells me: do you want it? Or do you need it? ... this mentality actually helped me through my college years because I realised that some things don't deserve to waste my time and money on, especially when I needed my time on other more important matters.
After you have a break in life do whatever you want.

[lujon]

I seriously wish I had a competent doctor like you. My doctor sucks

[stiitcherry]

100% agree, i have to always correct myself when i’m doing something that’s good for me and say “i want to do this.” always helps me to actually do it and i always feel better after

[Legendary_sartorian]

my brain works in a way that if i do something i dont want to but have to i get stressed and if i want to do it i can push myself through the stress, but when it comes to cleaning i have no joy of the thought of cleanliness, i dont feel joy when im finally done cleaning up or take a bath or do laundry so my brain just pushes it aside as a priority until i personally can stand looking or smelling at it and i basically have to get something i consider a reward in order to do these cleaning tasks or i simply just get too stressed and sick if i have to force myself to do it

[YaNeK]

*As Tony Robbins once said:*
_"We don't get what we want in life, but we get what we have to have!" 💯_