Documentation of the Future

You know the saying “if it’s not documented it wasn’t done.” Well, this works for the future too. If you don’t put the activity into your calendar there’s a high likelihood it won’t get done, and if it does, it may be squeezed in with stress around it. As Marie Forleo says, “If it’s not scheduled, it’s not real.”

What does this have to do with burnout?  BOUNDARIES with your time.  One way to feel more in control, and see how you have time for what you want, is to schedule items onto your calendar.  Put replenishing activities for yourself on at specific times at least weekly. This way, as new opportunities and requests arise you can check to see if you need to give up an activity in order to fit the new one in.

With springtime, there seems to be a flurry of activities starting up.  If you have kids, they may be returning to soccer, softball and recital preparations.  Then there are the family obligations and parties that occur in spring, and the desire to exercise outside. Oops, someone forgot about the communion party of a neice, and now you’re asked to take on a shift for another nurse. Or perhaps one of your partners needs to go to a child’s performance, “Are you available to take call for me in 2 weeks?” You want to be nice and supportive; your inclination may be to say “Yes.” This time you check your calendar first and you see that “Sorry, I’m already scheduled for something that night.” Your “No, I’m sorry I can’t do it.” is easier.

By the way, it is also a good idea to include transition time in your calendar.  It is not so instantaneous to go across town to meet an obligation.  When it gets really busy, I find I need to schedule in the grocery shopping and laundry. This also makes me more efficient.

If you don’t like using an internet calendar or it is too much to include your whole family’s schedule there, here’s an alternative. This idea comes from Dike Drummond,MD. He suggested photographing your family paper calendar with your mobile phone and using this as a reference. When something comes up that is of interest or you’re asked to cover someone, then you can open the photo and pinch it to the date in question. Voila, you’ll be able to check your schedule.

For more ideas to prevent and recover from burnout, contact me.

Dina, 203.744.YOU3 (9683)

Revitalize Your Life

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