time management

Because of multiple meetings this week, and some scheduling snafus, I have been able to pick my kids up at school three of four days this week. 

I have been in a better mood this week than I've been in a LONG time.

Connection?

I called Phil this afternoon and told him that I want to change my schedule.  I'd really like to work 8:30-2:00 - through lunch - 6.5 hours of seeing patients daily - so that I can pick my kids up at school, help them with their homework, coach their teams, and be a den/pack leader in a more efficient and effective way.  I think that some people will have a hard time with that because they want to be able to come after school, though.  Maybe one day a week I could work later.  I don't know.  All I know is that being a mother is more important to me than just about anything, and I've been able to do it the way I think it should be done this week.  I have been so happy picking the kids up, working on homework, listening to them practice piano, making dinner... Oh, the dilemna.

I pride myself on being pretty good at time management.   Like most women, I can usually juggle many tasks at once.  Unfortunately, like juggling, if I get a little out of sync, the whole thing comes crashing down.  I know that last fall, I coached a soccer team, and we were very busy at the office.  I had a really hard time with getting to practice, and I was not as good at scheduling things as I'd like to be.  I don't want to do a bad job because it's the kid's experience that suffers, but I keep getting asked to do things.  People tell me to just say no, but that's easier said than done.  In fact, I have said no, and I've ended up with a team/troop/pack, anyways.  It happened this year with Sunday school.  I told them that I wouldn't do it anymore because I just don't have enough time to prepare and do a good job.  Plus, we go out of town a lot.  They kept calling and I said I'd sub if they needed someone and I was in town.  I showed up on the first day when they introduced everyone, and they said, "Oh, Mindy, these 8th and 9th graders don't have a teacher - would you be so kind..."  Pinned like a butterfly on a posterboard. 

I really enjoy the teaching, coaching thing, too, though, so it's not entirely altruistic.  I enjoy feeling like I'm making a difference in a kid's life.  I also very acutely realize that the time is not far off when my kids won't want me involved in what they do, so I'm trying to take advantage of it when I can.  I can't tell you how many times I've had widows, parents who've survived the death of a child, children who've survived the death of a parent, etc., who tell me, "live when you can - enjoy the ones you love when you can, becuase you never know if they'll be there tomorrow."  EVERY DAY I hear this, and eventually you take it to heart.

Yes, I could work more hours and make our business more profitable.  Yes, I could go work for someone else and make a lot more money.  Yes, I could concentrate on my bottom line every day.  But, what would I be sacrificing?  Maybe a whole lot more than I'm willing to.  

I'm not knocking people who are doing things differently, AT ALL.  I'm just saying, I don't think it's for me.  I need to be "mommy" more than I need to be business owner, doctor.  I hope that my patients will understand if I do change my hours a little bit.  If I work through lunch, I'll be working the same number of total hours, but getting out earlier.  I hope my staff understands, too, and agrees to stagger their lunches when and if I decide to do it. 

I'd be great if I could find an NP who wants to work part time...any takers out there???  I've been looking for some time.  I have enough volume for a FT mid level, but not enough space.  If you know anyone who is looking, send them my way.  Maybe we could alternate afternoons or something.   It's a great place to work as long as our computers are up and our phones are working.

A girl that I used to know and really look up to long ago recently contacted me via facebook.  She had gone to undergraduate and medical school.  When she was in FP residency, she realized that she just didn't like being a doctor, so she quit and went back to college.  Today she is a teacher.  She has lots of time with her kids because her hours and vacation are the same as theirs.  I must admit that I envy her decision.  I have wanted to go back to school and get trained as a Montessori instructor and maybe help to expand the Montessori here to include elementary school instead of just preschool.  Unfortunately, I'm in so much debt from med school and the business right now, that I'll be working until I'm 80 to pay it off - especially if I cut back some.  Ah, well, maybe when I'm old and gray...  Don't misunderstand, I usually like being a doctor quite a lot.  I get to educate on a different playing field, and that's very gratifying.  I just wish my hours gave me more kid time.

My job is a little better now, by the way, becuase, (wait for it)  we finally have computers, phones, and faxes all working AT THE SAME TIME!!!  I think someone might have to pinch me soon, or at least alert me when the 4 horsemen appear, because I think this is another sign of the apocolypse.

I think that's enough for tonight.  I have to go make my lean and green dinner.  I ordered some roasted chicken nuggets from Schwan's.  I intend to heat them up, then dip them in hot wing sauce.  We'll have a garden salad with lots of fresh veggies with it and some spray blue cheese flavored vinegarette to top it off.  Sounds good.  The kids will have the same but with ketchup and ranch and probably some cheeze its for carbs. 

Have a good one everyone, and give your kids a BIG hug!

Dr. Mindy