Time Management Skills That Improve Doctor Work-Life Balance, Part 1 | Ep484

Succeed in Medicine

Can physicians break the cycle of procrastination and reclaim their personal lives?

Dr. Bradley Block and Dr. Russell Ramsay dive into practical approaches for managing time, tackling dreaded tasks like charting and difficult patient calls, and addressing perfectionism. Drawing from his expertise in adult ADHD, Dr. Ramsay discusses behavioral scripts, implementation intentions, and reframing tasks to build momentum and reduce avoidance. While emphasizing that these skills benefit everyone, he highlights the role of social capital, small actions for big gains, and tools like talk-to-text for efficiency. Tune in for insights on current challenges, actionable strategies, and how to stay motivated—part one of a two-part series.

Three Actionable Takeaway:

1. Behavioral Scripts for Task Initiation – Break down challenging tasks, like difficult patient phone calls, into clear roles and minimal actions (e.g., communicate key information). Dr. Ramsay explains this reduces avoidance by focusing on fulfilling your professional duty, similar to starting gym routines with small steps like wearing gym clothes.
2. Combat Perfectionism with Good Enough Standards – Identify where perfectionism slows you down (e.g., over-editing notes or emails) and reframe to "fully competent" outcomes. Dr. Ramsay suggests using timers, word limits, or talk-to-text to draft quickly, and evaluating trade-offs like lost family time to incentivize efficiency.
3. Build Momentum Through Small Actions – Use implementation intentions ("If X, then Y") and "touch the task" techniques to start admin work or self-care. Dr. Ramsay notes that small steps, like opening a chart or comparing colleagues' efficient notes, create inertia and help shift from "have to" to intentional productivity.

About the Show:

Succeed In Medicine covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!

About the Guest:

Dr. Russell Ramsay is a psychologist specializing in the assessment and psychosocial treatment of adult ADHD. With international lectures and over six books, including CBT for Adult ADHD and The Adult ADHD Toolkit, he advises on behavioral strategies for efficiency and well-being. Formerly at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, he focuses on helping professionals, including physicians, manage procrastination and perfectionism.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-ramsay-a8bbb310

Website: https://www.cbt4adhd.com

About the Host:

Dr. Bradley Block – Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts Succeed In Medicine podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physicians

Want to be a guest?

Email Brad at [email protected] or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!

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This medical podcast is your physician mentor to fill the gaps in your medical education. We cover physician soft skills, charting, interpersonal skills, doctor finance, doctor mental health, medical decisions, physician parenting, physician executive skills, navigating your doctor career, and medical professional development. This is critical CME for physicians, but without the credits (yet). A proud founding member of the Doctor Podcast Network!

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Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.

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