Okay, so, I was reading this thing about how to not let being a resident take over your whole life. Like, people get into emergency medicine for all sorts of reasons, but you gotta remember to have a life outside of work, right? We’re usually pretty balanced folks.
So, I started thinking, how do the pros in emergency medicine do it? How do they get ready for their shift, stay focused, deal with all the interruptions, and not get overwhelmed? I mean, it is not easy.
Get Ready Before You Even Start
First off, I started doing this little pre-shift ritual. I found that preparing mentally before stepping into the emergency room helped me a ton. It’s like, I’d sit down, take a few deep breaths, and remind myself why I’m doing this. Just knowing the major emergencies, the real bad stuff, helps. I read that somewhere, too. In the pages that follow, someone mentioned it, I think.
Stay in the Zone Once You’re There
Once I’m on the clock, staying focused is key. I started being super strict with myself about getting distracted. It’s tough, especially with all the chaos. But I try to keep my head in the game. I noticed that when I do, I feel way less stressed. Every interruption, and there are many, I started to treat them like a mini-challenge. Like, “Okay, deal with this, then back to what matters.”
Don’t Let Your Brain Fry
- Chunking Tasks: I break down my to-do list into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes everything less overwhelming.
- Prioritizing: Not everything is a code red. I learned to quickly assess and prioritize what needs my immediate attention and what can wait.
- Delegating: I used to try to do everything myself. Now, I’m all about delegating tasks when I can. It’s a lifesaver.
- Taking Breaks: Even a five-minute breather to clear my head makes a huge difference.
So yeah, that’s what I’ve been working on. Trying to be the best emergency medicine doc I can be, but also not letting it consume every second of my life. It’s a work in progress, but I feel like I’m getting there.
