I’m guessing that two of your biggest obstacles to becoming the healthcare leader you want to be are time and energy. Maybe it’s because you put the needs of others ahead of your own. Maybe it’s because you find many things interesting and exciting and you have a hard time letting an opportunity pass you by. Or maybe it’s because you’re so busy trying to get everything done, you don’t have the time to be more strategic.
Here are some tips for maximizing your time and energy:
Get organized: Record everything on your mind in some kind of a “collection tool” that you will come back to regularly and sort through. This becomes your master to-do list. Schedule everything in a calendar and block off time every day for the priorities and projects that have the most meaning and impact for you as a leader – those big rocks. Set aside time at the beginning of each week and each day to review your calendar, update your to-do list, and schedule in your weekly/daily actions and appointments.
Make your goals and values visible: Write out your values and your big rocks and put them where you will see them often. This will keep them top of mind when you’re prioritizing and making decisions. And – another neuroscience tip! – keeping your goals visible helps you tap into the feelings of why you want to reach them and will help you maintain motivation and energy to complete them.
Practice Self Care: This is an absolutely critical leadership behavior and one that is really tough for healthcare professionals. There are the basics – sleep, healthy eating, and exercise. To take it to the next level, you need to build mental, physical, and emotional renewal into your workday every day. And, set boundaries to give yourself time to replenish your physical and emotional energy.
Manage Your Mindset: Look for areas where you may be making assumptions about what is and is not possible, and challenge these assumptions. If you’re not sure about what is expected of you from others, ask them to clarify their expectations. Pay attention if you’re thinking or talking about things as a "need," a "should," or a "must." See if you can substitute "choose” or “want” when you think about or speak of doing that action. The word you use actually makes a difference in how your brain responds when something feels like a choice. If “want” doesn’t feel truthful, ask whether you really have to do whatever it is and learn the art of saying “no.” Pay attention to whether it’s a true need or whether it’s your own inner voice making things into a “need” or a “should.”
Ask for What You Need and Want: Get clear on the opportunities and resources you need to be a successful leader and ask for them. Delegate other tasks that don’t require you (and only you) to do them. This not only takes things off your plate, it gives others the chance to grow. And letting others help is a chance to make them feel good.
The most successful people learn to be more selective about where they focus their time and energy. Just because you can handle everything that comes your way doesn’t mean you should.
“The difference between successful people and really successful people is that
really successful people say no to almost everything.” – Warren Buffett
Please share in the comments below which of these tips for maximizing your time and energy will be most valuable for you to practice.
