You’re a healthcare manager who’s always running out of time. How can you change that?

First step is to PAUSE and ask yourself why you're always running out of time. If it's due to distractions, are there opportunities to eliminate them? Next, create a list of your typical day and include regularly scheduled tasks. Are there opportunities to streamline? Third, look at your calendar. Meetings can consume a significant portion of your workday. Can you delegate some meetings to other team members (would also give them an opportunity to grow). As a leader, it's important to recognize there's only so much you can do in a day. Creating a list of to do's first thing in the morning is helpful, and it's also helpful to be able to say "no" and avoid overcommitting yourself.

To improve time management as a healthcare manager, you can consider the following strategies based on the search results: 1. Develop Skills and Knowledge: Enhance your expertise in healthcare management. 2. Build Leadership Skills: Focus on developing leadership skills crucial and healthcare networks. 3. Identify High-Trust Relationships: Recognize managers who excel in building trust. 4. Set Tangible Goals: Provide clear goals & guidance. 5. Promote Multiple Avenues to Success: Rethink promotion. 6. Improve Time Management Skills: Enhance time management abilities. By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your managerial effectiveness, stand out in the healthcare industry, & create a more efficient & productive work environment.

Regarding prioritization, one often-overlooked aspect is the mental load that comes with multitasking. It can be beneficial to not only categorize tasks but also to limit switching between them, as this can save time lost in context switching. When we do the most cognitively demanding tasks first, we make better use of our peak focus times.

For planning your day, it's advantageous to consider your personal rhythm and energy levels throughout the day. Tackling intensive tasks during your personal peak times can lead to more efficient work. Additionally, it is important to remain flexible as over-planning can lead to stress when inevitable deviations from the plan occur.

As a leader it is imperative to set SMART goals which align with the goals and objectives of the organization. Setting goals is not a solitary endeavor— goals are team created and driven, in conjunction with key stakeholders—- not something that occurs in a vacuum by one leader. In addition, one leader can not single handedly achieve goals without the help and support of their team and peers.

Setting SMART goals can sometimes be tricky when it comes to ensuring they remain flexible in a fast-paced healthcare environment. The key is to reassess goals regularly and be willing to adjust them in response to new information or changing circumstances, keeping them dynamic and responsive.

In relation to delegation and empowerment, one potential pitfall is under-delegation, where you might delegate a task but not the authority or resources needed to complete it effectively. Ensure that you match delegated tasks with an equivalent transfer of authority.

As a leader maintaining work life balance in the face of a changing healthcare system is critical for long term success . Without prioritizing balance, burnout is an assured outcome. Adequate sleep, stress reduction focus, exercise, and healthy nutrition habits set the mind and body in the optimal position for success. These principles were true prior to COVID, but even more critical now.

You hired smart people, let them show you how awesome they are. Management is not about doing the job. At its heart it is about training the next person to do the job and fill our shoes. Unless you want to be in the role forever. Then the revolving door of staffing begins as they lack opportunities and become frustrated with the bottle neck (you).

Beyond these strategies, consider the role of continuous learning and reflection in time management improvements. Always be open to adopting new best practices and technologies that may streamline operations or improve efficiency within your team or organization.