Time Management Tips for the Busy Physician

“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the

stuff life is made of” Benjamin Franklin

In general:

·  Plan - write a “to do” list each day focusing on the most urgent and important tasks.

·  Say no to nonessential tasks – “Yes” to one thing means “no” to something else

·  Delegate tasks to keep from getting overextended

·  “10 minute rule” – work on dreaded tasks for at least ten minutes each day

·  Avoid multi-tasking which decreases efficiency

·  Take care of yourself - get the nutrition, exercise, sleep you recommend to patients

·  Take time for a break, relaxation, and hobbies - it allows you to be more efficient

In clinic:

·  Analyze and modify your schedule template.

o  Be realistic in scheduling time for each type of visit.

o  Leave open blocks for same day/urgent appointments, phone calls, etc.

o  Ask your staff for help. Brainstorm ways to improve efficiency.

·  Minimize interruptions during the day.

·  Touch each piece of paper or lab result only once.

·  Use Epic templates for your most common types of appointments to save time.

·  Use a timer to work on getting as much as possible done in the allotted time frame. This prevents each task from expanding to fill as much time as you give it.

·  Recognize the circumstances and times of day in which you are most productive. Maximize use of those times and circumstances

·  Set realistic, incremental goals. For instance, try leaving clinic 10 minutes earlier until reaching goal of 30 minutes earlier.

Human Capital Development Resource Library

UW Health employees can check these books out from the library for a month at a time

Access via https://uconnect.wisc.edu

Time Management from the Inside Out
Morgenstern’s groundbreaking from-the-inside-out approach helps you uncover your psychological strengths and stumbling blocks and create a time-management system that suits your individual needs. This book shows you how to: Identify your personal preferences and styles; Determine how long tasks really take; Eliminate, Delegate, and Streamline tasks; Stop procrastinating; Put an end to chronic lateness; Put technology at work for you; Stick to your schedule while maintaining flexibility; and how to Cope with the constancy of unexpected change.

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
In today’s world, yesterday’s methods just don’t work. Veteran coach and management consultant David Allen shares his breakthrough methods for stress-free performance that he has introduced to tens of thousands of people across the country. Allen’s premise is simple: our productivity is directly proportional to our ability to relax. Only when our minds are clear and out thoughts are organized can we achieve effective results and unleash our creative potential. From core principles to proven tricks, ‘Getting Things Done’ can transform the way you work and live, showing your how to pick up the pace without wearing yourself down.

75 Ways To Get More Done In Less Time!
\"Among the aimless you often hear talk about 'killing time.' People who are constantly killing time are really killing their own chances in life. Those who are destined to become successful are those who make time and use it wisely.\" -Arthur Brisbane. Do you want to get things done faster so you can accomplish more of your long-term goals? We all would like that to happen, but the question is, \"How can I do that?\" To get more done in less time, we have to make choices. This short book gives common sense suggestions that will help you make conscious decisions to increase your quality of life.

First Things First
I'm getting more done in less time, but where are the rich relationships, the inner peace, the balance, the confidence that I'm doing what matters most and doing it well? Does this nagging question haunt you, even when you feel you are being your most efficient? If so, First Things First can help you understand why so often our first things aren't first. Rather than offering you another clock, First Things First provides you with a compass, because where you're headed is more important than how fast you're going.

ADD - Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life
ADD - Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life addresses the specific challenges that aduls with ADD face. Judith Kolberg, a professional organizer whose specialty is helping people with ADD adn other chronically disorganized people, has teamed up with Dr Kathleen Nadeau, a psychologist and ADD expert, to write this innovative book. Using humorous but compassionate stories that adults with ADD can easily related to, they off ADD - friendly organizing solutions that will provide long-lasting, life changing organizing success