Sanj Katyal is a radiologist and founder, Positive Psychology Program for Physicians.

Limiting beliefs are holding your career back

Physician
August 15, 2025

As physicians, we are highly motivated, educated, hardworking and compassionate individuals. We deserve the best that life can offer. I do not mean the nicest houses or fanciest cars (although there is nothing wrong with luxuries). What I am referring to is having the type of career that brings out the best in us. A work environment that allows us to share our gifts easily and effortlessly ultimately contributing to …

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Limiting beliefs are holding your career back

Understanding the mind’s role and embracing contentment for a flourishing life

Physician
June 18, 2023

It is challenging to open a medical journal in any specialty without coming across an article on burnout. These articles present statistics, trends, and various causes in detail. Some even propose sensible solutions such as flexible scheduling, peer support, delegation of clerical work, and an increased focus on personal well-being activities as steps in the right direction.

I have previously emphasized that “the absence of burnout does not equal wellness,” …

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Understanding the mind’s role and embracing contentment for a flourishing life

Using positive psychology to cultivate attention to things that matter

Physician
February 5, 2022

If we are honest with ourselves, many of us are often bored with our lives. It’s not our fault. We followed the blueprint that society laid out for us. We worked hard to get to this stage of our personal and professional lives. Most of us have achieved more than we could have dreamed of when we were younger. We are in the elite profession of medicine. We have the …

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Using positive psychology to cultivate attention to things that matter

Stop chasing the eternal search for happiness

Conditions and Diseases
February 5, 2021

I have been searching for something all of my life. Some would call it happiness; others call it success. No matter what I achieve, the goalposts seem to keep moving.

Perhaps this sounds familiar.

Maybe you realize that it is all an endless chase.

Maybe you are tired of:

  • not being completely at peace
  • being concerned with what others think
  • having your sense of self-worth tied to your children’s “success”
  • living life as …

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Stop chasing the eternal search for happiness

Physician well-being: lessons from positive psychology

Physician
October 10, 2018

The absence of burnout does not equal wellness. While the focus on physician burnout as an epidemic is finally gaining more attention, we may be missing a larger issue. Most physicians are not burned out. We are able to function. We get through our days, make it to some of our kids’ activities and even manage to go out to dinner on the weekends. We survive the work week as …

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Physician well-being: lessons from positive psychology

Physicians need to recognize the power of vulnerability

Physician
December 4, 2015

One of my best friends from high school is battling with leukemia. I remember days hanging out in my room, listening to music (we were both huge REO Speedwagon fans), shooting Nerf hoops and talking about life (mainly girls at that time). We were not sure of what life would bring, but we knew we were destined for big things.

Denny was always more confident than I was at the time …

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Physicians need to recognize the power of vulnerability

Most doctors are financially illiterate

Physician
January 31, 2015

Many physicians I know are struggling to make ends meet while making several hundred thousand dollars per year. Despite growing incomes, their savings rates remain extremely low due to ever increasing expenses. What they do manage to save, they turn over to professional money managers.

How does this happen? Why are some of the smartest, hardest-working and most responsible members of our society unable to create real wealth? The answer is …

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Most doctors are financially illiterate