At the age of 7, Dr. Jordan Grumet experienced the loss of his father, a formative event that influenced his career choice — he became a doctor, following in his father's footsteps. However, by 2010, after feeling burnt out in internal medicine, he made a surprising change and became a hospice physician.
In this episode, Dr. Grumet shares insights gained from countless conversations with individuals at the end of their lives. These interactions have highlighted a common theme: people don’t often regret their financial status when nearing death. Instead, they lament not having pursued the passions and dreams that truly inspired them.
Dr. Grumet differentiates between what he terms “Big P Purpose” and “little p purpose.” Big P Purpose encompasses significant life aspirations, such as becoming a president or discovering a cure for cancer. In contrast, little p purpose centers on the process — engaging in enjoyable activities without worrying about the results.
He recounts the story of a young professional passionate about competitive cycling. While juggling a demanding job in a nonprofit, this individual began repairing bikes at races on weekends. This side endeavor merged his skills with his passion, eventually generating enough income for him to cut back on his full-time hours.
Dr. Grumet presents three essential concepts for infusing more purpose into one’s life:
– Joy of Addition: Incorporate activities that bring you excitement, even if only for 15 minutes each day.
– Art of Subtraction: Eliminate tasks that drain your energy.
– Substitution: When circumstances prevent adding or removing activities, replace one task with another.
He emphasizes that money is not the sole resource for instigating change. Youth, vitality, relationships, skills, and community can also serve as invaluable assets. A 22-year-old may not have financial resources but possesses time and energy that a 51-year-old might lack.
Dr. Grumet references the Harvard Adult Developmental Health Study, which determined that meaningful relationships — rather than success or wealth — have the strongest connection to happiness. He argues that engaging in activities you love naturally fosters these important relationships.
The episode concludes with a poignant story about his grandfather, who had a passion for math and became an accountant in the 1950s. This enthusiasm inspired Dr. Grumet’s mother to pursue a career as a CPA, which in turn helped young Jordan gain confidence in mathematics, despite his challenges with reading. Later, this analytical mindset allowed him to diagnose a rabbi’s unusual condition — showcasing how minor actions can create significant impacts across generations.
Timestamps:
(Note: Timestamps may vary depending on individual listening devices due to dynamic advertising times. The timestamps given are estimates and may differ by a few minutes owing to ad length changes.)
0:00 Introduction to Dr. Grumet, hospice physician sharing insights on end-of-life matters
1:06 Shift from medicine to hospice as a side project
2:21 The shift in hospice care from medical to emotional support
4:12 Explanation of palliative care versus hospice care
5:05 Age demographics of hospice patients
6:55 Life priorities and regrets on one’s deathbed
13:46 Findings from the Harvard Adult Developmental Health Study regarding happiness
20:00 The relationship between purpose, happiness, and flow states
26:35 Elaboration on the Joy of Addition and Art of Subtraction
33:30 Leveraging youth in the absence of financial means
41:18 Strategies for calendar assessment
48:45 Navigating family disappointment
56:08 Understanding regrets as anchors for purpose
1:03:26 Common regrets encountered at the end of life
1:09:06 How small actions can leave a lasting legacy
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At the age of 7, Dr. Jordan Grumet experienced the loss of his father. This profound experience influenced his choice of profession — he pursued a career in medicine, mirroring his father's legacy. However, by 2010, after feeling exhausted from internal medicine, he made an unforeseen decision to become a hospice physician.