Meet Mani Javvaji | Skin Cancer Surgeon & Work-Life Balance Expert

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mani Javvaji and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mani, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
Time management, without a doubt, has been the cornerstone of my success. I’ve always believed that how we spend our time is a reflection of what we value, and I’ve worked hard to fill my time in a way that aligns with what is most important to me. This isn’t about filling every hour with productivity but about being intentional.

From my medical school days, I learned focus, discipline, and the art of delayed gratification. I developed a mantra early on: when I’m working, I’m fully working. And when I’m not, I’m fully not. This approach helped me optimize my work tasks into efficient, condensed blocks of time so I could truly enjoy my downtime.

I vividly remember sitting in the medical school library, seeing my peers socialize and study at the same time. That was never my style. For me, studying was something to get done with full focus and attention, so I could close my books and enjoy the rest of my evening guilt-free. I’m still like this over a decade later. When I’m doing work, I do deep work. When I’m having fun, I am fully present with my friends and family.

Another habit I swear by is breaking down big goals into smaller, more manageable steps. Big ambitions can feel daunting, but tackling them in bite-sized pieces makes them achievable but also satisfying. In school I used to make a detailed study plan, first starting with an overarching goal of the big texts I wanted to get through for an exam. Then I broke that down into smaller monthly and daily goals to accomplish what I needed to get through. I use that same approach today, turning big goals into smaller daily tasks to get where I’m going.

Lastly, every morning, I start my day with a plan. I know exactly what my top 2 or 3 tasks are that are non-negotiable to get done. As I get ready, I visualize myself doing these tasks. It’s like giving my brain a little dress rehearsal, and it gets me in the right mindset for a good successful day.

These habits aren’t about being productive and checking things off the to-do list just for the sake of it–they’ve allowed me to build a life where I can succeed at reaching my dreams and genuinely enjoy life moments that matter most.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Becoming a Dermatologist and Mohs skin cancer surgeon often requires you to be at the top of your class, so for me, it was a journey that required long hours of laser-focused studying, years of training, and lots of grit and dedication. It wasn’t easy, but along the way, I learned some valuable lessons—not just about medicine, but about life.

I learned in order to achieve my professional goals, I had to become incredibly intentional with how I used my time. Through that process, I also realized that success isn’t only about working hard—it’s about working intelligently. I didn’t want to build a career; I wanted to build a life. I wanted to be present in my relationships, enjoy incredible experiences, and actually feel like I was living—not just working.

That brought me to refining and fine-tuning my own approach to work-life balance. In medicine, I love mentoring and guiding others, and that passion has transformed online into teaching people how to optimize their time—so they can be both highly productive and deeply fulfilled. My brand and my story are about this balance: helping others become more intentional with their time, so they can achieve their goals AND make more room for the fun stuff– with experiences, memories, and the things that matter most.

At the end of the day, I want people to walk away from my content with useful, realistic, day-to-day tools to implement so they can create a life they love– that feels rich, full, and well-lived.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is such a fantastic question because San Diego has so many incredible experiences.

During the day, I love exploring the city’s beaches; each has its own unique charm. The seaside cliffs, tide pools, and changing coastline make for a stunning landscape to explore. I also love getting out and moving, whether that’s hiking Torrey Pines or Annie’s Canyon for the views or going stand up paddle boarding for a more serene way to experience the water.

In the evening, I gravitate towards places with a vibey atmosphere, and my absolute favorite is the Lafayette Hotel. It’s an immersive experience, and the interior design is next level—maximalist, vintage, and mesmerizing. But beyond just looking cool, it’s packed with things to do— restaurants, cocktail bars, a jazz club, and a bowling alley that feels straight out of the Roaring ‘20s. It’s a whole experience and definitely a must visit.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, my parents. As the daughter of two immigrants, my parents had enormous courage and strength to start a new life from scratch in a new country. They faced incredible hardship in their humble beginnings but managed to build a beautiful life for my brother and me. I particularly look up to my mom—she’s the definition of a go-getter. She somehow balances ambition with warmth, showing me that being organized and valuing my time wasn’t about being rigid, but about creating space for the things that truly matter. She has this amazing outlook on life— she truly believes in living richly through experiences. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized just how much that perspective has shaped me.

I also owe so much to the mentors I’ve had throughout my medical training. They have guided me with career advice and by leading by example. Their insights have shaped my perspective on what success actually means and looks like.

And of course, my friends and family—because without them, life would be all structure and no soul. They’re the reason work-life balance isn’t just a concept but something I actually get to experience. They remind me to have fun, to be present, and to not take life too seriously. I’m so lucky to have such incredible people in my corner.

Website: https://linktr.ee/mani.jaye.md

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mani.jaye.md/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@manijayemd?si=Q2NcGrlVQ7_KK_dC