I have an MD, JD & currently going after my LLM.  I’m so sick of studying, but I keep trying to reach for the next best thing such that I will be able to make tons of money passively (~$500k - $600k/yr) w/o much physical labor like seeing clients or patients.  Am I barking up the wrong tree or should I just keep my nose to the grindstone?

The Harvard MBA says:

There is a very easy way to make $500-600K per year in risk-free passive income.  You just need $21 million in capital to invest in inflation-index Treasury bonds.

Sadly, for all the “easy money” we hear about, gettin rich is generally hard work.  Investment bankers work insane hours and spend years clawing their way up. Entrepreneurs work even longer hours and take on insane risks. And for every millionaire entertainer or athlete, there are millions of aspiring stars who collect a meager paycheck while pursuing a nearly unattainable dream.

You’re obviously very capable (an MD, a JD, and an LLM on the way…not even I have that many degrees).  If it’s money you’re after, wait a year or two, and make your way to Wall Street.  I suspect they’ll be having a hard time recruiting.  Work hard, and long-term success is practically guaranteed…just make sure you save your bonus checks.

If money isn’t the main thing, rather than spending the time and funds to pursue yet another degree, take some time and figure out what you really want to do.  Talk with folks who are already doing the things you think you want to do and see if they’re happy (you can read more about this kind of surrogacy in Daniel Gilbert’s “Stumbling on Happiness”).  Ask the people who know you best what they think makes you happy.

There’s an old saying, that doing the same thing and expecting different results is the definition of madness. If your previous professional degrees haven’t brought you satisfaction, it’s unlikely an MBA will.

You’ve been blessed with intelligence and talent–you have the ability to figure out the best path for yourself.