The marshmallow test from a doctor’s point of view.

The marshmallow test was initially performed on kids, and upon follow-up of these kids, those who passed the test turned out to be successful adults. When the experiment hit the newspapers, everyone was all-in.

This, I believe, has fundamentally skewed the way we shape our lives. This has pushed everyone into believing that we should sacrifice for the present so we can reap our rewards in the future. There is logic in this, so it has been universally accepted (who doesn’t want to succeed in the future?).

But now I ask you, up to when do we stop taking the marshmallow and finally bite into the soft gooey piece of heaven? Is it after we finish college? After we have paid for our house? After saving for the kid’s education? After paying off the car? When we reach 50? When we retire?

Now I ask you, dear doctor, will you actually retire? Most doctors only stop because they are forced out of the hospital, and mostly in their 70s.

The marshmallow test was an all or nothing test. It was designed in such a way that you either get a prize or not. And it’s application to future success is quite fantastic. But life is not black or white, there are so many shades of gray in between (50 if I remember it right), that applying an experiment that is not actually reflective of reality is not quite right.

As doctors, wether we like it or not, we have all been ingrained with the passion to serve humanity. We would treat the murderer with the same intensity as we would treat a child. But keeping the fire burning for most of your life will leave you charred inside, chafed and calloused.

So this is what I propose. After finally achieving the much coveted MD after your name, why not take a nibble from the marshwallow. A few days off will not hurt. There are other doctors who can cover for you. The tide of patients are endless, but the fire within you is not. Do not dedicate your whole life to your patients, dedicate some to yourself and your family. And after you have nibbled a bit from the marshmallow, when you come back, you’ll see that there’s more. Take a break from being a doctor every once in a while. It won’t hurt, believe me. Burnout is a reality, and it won’t save lives. You have worked so hard to reach this point, so take a breather every now and then.

In fact, I would propose nibbling into the marshmallow a little bit earlier. Enjoy college, enjoy medschool, enjoy residency, take a breather every now and then. Do not go all-in into the marshmallow test, life looks better behind a rested soul. Your family, patients, and the future you will thank you for it.