Physician forums are filled with posts about overwhelmed two physician couples with young kids, the stressors they face and the risks of burnout. As a practicing hospital medicine physician with a wife who own’s her own practice, with three kids under the age of seven, we can relate with challenges around time management! Many times days blend into weeks and in turn those blend into months.
Here are some tips on how to get back your time and outsource tasks for a happier life:
- Identify your time drains. What are the tasks that take up the most of your time and energy, but don’t actually move the needle forward in your life? Once you know what these tasks are, you can start to brainstorm ways to outsource them. Common tasks that can be outsourced are grocery shopping, calendar management, house cleaning, pet walking, vacation hotel stay/flight itinerary planning.
- Set priorities. Not all tasks are created equal. Some are more important than others. Once you know what your priorities are, you can start to focus on the tasks that matter most and delegate the rest.
- Find the right people to outsource to. Not everyone is cut out to be a freelancer or virtual assistant. When you’re looking for someone to outsource work to, it’s important to find someone who is reliable, trustworthy, and has the skills and experience to get the job done.
- Set clear expectations. When you’re outsourcing work, it’s important to set clear expectations with the person you’re working with. This includes things like the deadline, the scope of work, and the desired outcome.
- Be willing to pay for quality. Outsourcing work can be a great way to save time and money, but it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for. If you want high-quality work, be prepared to pay for it.
Here are some additional tips:
- Automate tasks whenever possible. There are many tasks that can be automated, such as scheduling appointments, sending emails, and tracking expenses. Automating these tasks can free up your time so that you can focus on more important things. Some of the tools all of us should use religiously obviously are a calendar and a note taking app. I use google cal and even have dates with my wife scheduled and also Evernote to take a picture of receipts and all documents I need on hand for future recall.
- Say no to commitments that you don’t have time for. It’s important to be selective about the commitments that you make. If you don’t have time for something, don’t be afraid to say no. My wife sometimes pulls my leg that I don’t go out of my way to make new friends in my 40s. Well, honestly I barely have time to see my dear old friends from college and medical school – so I have to prioritize relationships.
- Take breaks throughout the day. It’s important to take breaks throughout the day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Getting up and moving around can help you stay focused and productive.
- Take care of yourself. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. Taking care of yourself will help you have more energy and focus. It’s the best investment you can make for your future.
By following these tips, you can start to tackle your time and outsource tasks so that you can live a happier and more fulfilling life.
Varun Verma M.D. is a board-certified internal medicine physician, entrepreneur, patient advocate and author. He is the co-founder of Andwise.