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Time management has always been my vice. A skill which I thought would’ve been perfected, ironically, with time as I grow older. However, much to my dismay, it only gets worse and there is no perfect routine and I am somewhat always chasing time.
Every person has the same 24 hours allocated within a day. However, not every person’s 24 hours is the same. What could be accomplished during the period of one individual may not be the same for the other.
Why? Each of us have our own set of personal life commitments. That and choices too.
As intelligent human beings, we have the autonomy in controlling how our time is being spent in a day. In my case, it comes down mainly to self-discipline.
An area which I tremendously lack.
That and the fact that I’m rather slow despite trying to pace as fast as I can.
When I first started housemanship / internship, I had poor time management skills and my priority was simply to go to work, complete my work and sleep. Somewhere in between coming back from work and sleep, I’d fit in my meal for the day. It was extremely unhealthy and worsened my anxiety to the point I had multiple panic attacks at work until I had to be referred to a psychiatrist. Thankfully.
With time, I learnt to inculcate certain simple habits that brought meaning and joy to my day such as cooking. Thus, I started stocking up on fresh foods which were not only good for my physical health but I was mainly targeting my mental health. I needed to be sane to serve.
Hence, when it came down to time management, eventually a routine unknowingly began to form in itself. Time at work varies according to my allocated shifts for that particular week. However, I always woke up at the same time every day and start my day with coffee, toasts and eggs. This is followed by writing an article or two and finally going off to work.
At work, I try to complete all my tasks and as mentioned, since I’m rather slow, I take up twice, if not more, as long as the average house officer to complete the task. However, I still try my best.
In between, should there be a free slot or a slow day, I’d be catching up on my reading for that posting or lost at a corner, writing.
After work, is my special “me time”. I’d prepare dinner, occasionally with my best friend, burn some incensed sticks, shower and soak my feet in a lovely pail of warm water filled with natural rock salts.
This is accompanied with warm chamomile tea and more studying before finally packing my necessary gear for the following day, setting my alarm and finally going to bed.
Sadly, I do not have much life outside work as I mainly prioritise work, studies and self-care. Well, studies as I am a rather forgetful person and it takes me ages to absorb information.
However, as mentioned, we are in control of our time even when it feels like as if we do not and it is merely slipping from our fingers. Eventually, it comes down to what we prioritise.
This was my experience during my first posting as a House Officer in the Orthopaedics Posting and may vary in other postings.
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The Theoretical Doctor 