Personal efficiency tools

[Complete_newbie]

In nonretired peak earning years with a growing family, efficiency and daily planning is important

What tools / technologies / frameworks do people use to maximize productivity and happiness ?

For example a solid calendar app/ decided breaks 6 months in advance / yoga ?

[ENT Doc]

Wake up early to get stuff done before the kids get up and the insanity starts.  Otherwise I just use the skills obtained in residency regarding prioritization and checklists.  Keeping things in the important/non-urgent quadrant is important too.

[janettebournes]

I was never able to wake early, I'd rather just wake up just in time to leave for work

While EMR isn't perfect, I do use it to streamline my day. The office managers know that the best way to contact me for non urgent matters is through the EMR intramail system so my day isn't interrupted with meaningless phone calls and pages. I am good about answering all my intramails within 24 hours

While inefficient, we have a separate practice management software that we utilize for scheduling. I review the schedule the night before to maximize my chances of the day going smoothly

Once I get home, I make it a point to spend time with my family. If you'll let it, medicine can be all consuming and eat every minute of every day. Even more so if you have a significant side hustle or hobby. I try to ensure I spend at least two hours in between cooking dinner, hanging out, talking, teaching, etc

Once the kids are in bed, I'll usually have an hour to be productive. It's a mad dash to review the billings for the day, review the schedule for tomorrow, complete today's notes, complete today's intramails, complete today's work emails, peruse personal emails (Gmail), peruse the calendar (Google Calendar), and peruse messages (Google voice, we are obviously deeply tied in with Google's infrastructure, it is nice to be able to review all text messages and voice mails from the day within one app) . While splurging, I found a multiple 5k / wide-screen monitor setup has been invaluable for multitasking.

If I'm lucky, that usually leaves an hour to wind down and relax, spend time with the husband, and get ready to do it all over again tomorrow. I have cut down to 0.8 FTE after 3 years of work thanks to some good financial decisions in hopes of adding some exercise to that routine (noticeably absent) . Not really interested in retiring early so I'm hoping for early financial independence and if I'm lucky, sustaining part time work well into retirement age or perhaps even beyond.

[The White Coat Investor]

iPhone + mobile hotspot is huge for me.

[Zaphod]

I used to not be able to wake up early, but since in practice and life is consistent, I absolutely love my quiet productive morning hours.

[jfoxcpacfp]

4 monitors at my desk + keyboard shortcuts (hate the mouse) + wireless everything possible + listening to books whenever I am doing something that doesn't require total concentration (working out, cooking, laundry, driving)

[Complete_newbie]

jfoxcpacfp wrote:

4 monitors at my desk + keyboard shortcuts (hate the mouse) + wireless everything possible + listening to books whenever I am doing something that doesn’t require total concentration (working out, cooking, laundry, driving)

Click to expand...

Thats pretty awesome set up (4 monitors...reaching radiologist level right there)

[willpmd]

As above, I use a lot of the google apps.  can't beat the user interface, connectivity, and price (free).

my wife and I have a synced google calendar that is linked to my phone so that we can view each others schedules and organize around kids.  I also have my work calendar forwarded to my phone as well as the all important UGA football schedule.

This allows me to know where and when I am supposed to be somewhere with alarms 30 minutes- 1 hour (or both) before hand.  It is also nice because recurring events are on this calendar and remind me to change air filters in the furnace, buy a gift for anniversary, fertilize the lawn, pay off monthly bills, birthdays etc.  This literally forms the basis of my life as I check my calendar every AM and every PM and at all times in between!  I like to be busy, so I tend to over-schedule, but with this paradigm I am able to be where I am supposed to be 99% of the time!

The other practice that is important is to be present at home when you are present at home.  We try to stay off laptops and phones when all members of family are at home.

I also use google drive daily.  I have a running to do list that has a to do list for today, this week, next 6 weeks, next 6 months as well as distant interests or to do's that I don't want to forget.  I also keep our net worth/financial plan/ budget on drive so I can review as needed.

[Complete_newbie]

willpmd wrote:

As above, I use a lot of the google apps.  can’t beat the user interface, connectivity, and price (free).

my wife and I have a synced google calendar that is linked to my phone so that we can view each others schedules and organize around kids.  I also have my work calendar forwarded to my phone as well as the all important UGA football schedule.

This allows me to know where and when I am supposed to be somewhere with alarms 30 minutes- 1 hour (or both) before hand.  It is also nice because recurring events are on this calendar and remind me to change air filters in the furnace, buy a gift for anniversary, fertilize the lawn, pay off monthly bills, birthdays etc.  This literally forms the basis of my life as I check my calendar every AM and every PM and at all times in between!  I like to be busy, so I tend to over-schedule, but with this paradigm I am able to be where I am supposed to be 99% of the time!

The other practice that is important is to be present at home when you are present at home.  We try to stay off laptops and phones when all members of family are at home.

I also use google drive daily.  I have a running to do list that has a to do list for today, this week, next 6 weeks, next 6 months as well as distant interests or to do’s that I don’t want to forget.  I also keep our net worth/financial plan/ budget on drive so I can review as needed.

Click to expand...

Hmm. Bull Dog.

Great post, but not a fan of Kirby. I hope Harbaugh eats his lunch lol.

[Complete_newbie]

And I agree, I keep my budgeting and NW calcs on google spreadsheet. So much easier than anything else I've found.

[Zaphod]

jfoxcpacfp wrote:

4 monitors at my desk + keyboard shortcuts (hate the mouse) + wireless everything possible + listening to books whenever I am doing something that doesn’t require total concentration (working out, cooking, laundry, driving)

Click to expand...

I thought I was wild with 3.