Life is not about working every single minute. What a shame if you never have a single moment to enjoy what matters most to you. Yet, so many physicians work endless hours in their practice to keep up with their work and to get more tasks completed – long after everyone has gone home.
Life is not about working harder. It’s about working smarter. It’s about doing what you have to do in a way that leaves you with enough time to enjoy your life, your loved ones and the activities that interest you.
Therefore take 5 minutes right now and think about your day, and your current schedule. If you don’t have a moment to spare, then something is definitely wrong.
Start by scheduling your ‘work time’ AND your ‘play time’ just like teachers have young kids do in school. Stick to that schedule each day as best as you can.
Most physicians just schedule their ‘work time’ and put ‘play time’ on the backburner.
Actually, write your ‘play time’ down on your daily schedule. If you schedule it to be between 8 and 9 at night, then use that time to ‘play’–whether that means spending time with your kids, visiting a friend, enjoying a hobby, or simply relaxing and reading a book.
Be careful. If you don’t schedule a definite ‘play time,’ that time will most likely be used up with some form of work, whether that means working late at the office, or catching up on household tasks.
Keeping a healthy balance between work and play will ensure that you will be a more efficient healthcare practitioner and that you will spend more fulfilling and enjoyable days.
Questions to ask yourself:
What do you like to do for fun?
What days / hours are the best to include play time in your schedule?
How will play time make you a better doctor?
P.S. If you think it is impossible to schedule ‘play time’ in your life, give me a call at 770-428-2334 and I will support you in the implementation.
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