Balancing Work / Life

As a past healthcare technology director, I know all too well how easy it is to become consumed by work and neglect your personal life. Burnout is a real issue, and it can have a negative impact on your mental and physical health, as well as your work performance. After experiencing burnout in the past, I've learned some valuable lessons about achieving a work-life balance as I myself have faced burnout like many others before/during/after the covid-19 pandemic. Here are some tips that can help healthcare technology managers avoid burnout and achieve a better work-life balance.

Set Realistic Expectations

As healthcare technology managers, we often have a lot of responsibilities and high expectations to meet. However, it's important to set realistic expectations and boundaries that allow us to manage our workload effectively. Be honest with your team and superiors about your capabilities and limitations, and communicate openly about any concerns or challenges you may be facing. By setting realistic expectations, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and reduce the risk of burnout. It is better to under promise and overperform than overpromise and either stress or fail.

Prioritize Your Tasks

As a healthcare technology manager, it's easy to get bogged down by endless tasks and responsibilities. To manage this, it's important to prioritize your tasks and focus on what's most important. Make a to-do list and rank your tasks in order of importance, then tackle them one at a time. By breaking your workload down into smaller, manageable steps, you can work more efficiently and reduce stress. I myself use simple flag systems in my email and set aside blocks of time each week for tasks I want to complete without interruption.

Take Regular Breaks

It's important to take regular breaks throughout the day to recharge and stay focused. When you're working in a high-stress environment, taking a few minutes to step away from your work can help you feel more productive and energized. Take a short walk, listen to music, or engage in an activity that you enjoy to help reduce stress and stay focused. Sunshine always helps recharge me personally and there has been countless studies showing that some physical activity such as high intensity training (HIT) in between tasks can lead to fantastic results.

Use Your Time Off Wisely

One of the most important ways to achieve a work-life balance is to use your time off wisely. Whether it's a vacation, spending time with family and friends, or pursuing a hobby, make sure to prioritize your personal interests and well-being. Your time off is precious, and it's important to use it to recharge and rejuvenate so that you can perform at your best in your professional life. Don’t be afraid to disconnect, if you were hit by a bus tomorrow your work place would find a way top survive. So don’t discount your well-earned time away for the sake of someone else who is trying to earn the same! 

Manage Stress

Stress is a major contributing factor to burnout, and it's important to manage it effectively. There are many strategies you can use to reduce stress, such as exercise, meditation, or simply taking a few deep breaths. It's also important to identify the sources of stress in your life and take steps to minimize them. For example, if you find that you're constantly checking work emails after hours, consider setting boundaries and disconnecting from work during your personal time. I also recommend finding a hobby to help you focus but also enjoy yourself. This could be joining a local book club or like me joining a local MMA gym. Everyone will be different so if your method is to log onto your PlayStation or go for a long drive it doesn’t matter, just find what works for you.

Communicate with Your Team

Effective communication is essential for achieving a healthy work-life balance. As a healthcare technology team member, it's important to communicate with your team and superiors about your workload and any concerns you may have. This can help you identify solutions and delegate tasks to reduce your workload. By working together, you can achieve a better balance that benefits both your personal and professional life.

Conclusion

Achieving a work-life balance as a healthcare technology manager is essential for avoiding burnout and maintaining your well-being. By setting realistic expectations, prioritizing your tasks, taking regular breaks, using your time off wisely, managing stress, and communicating with your team, you can achieve a better balance that allows you to perform at your best while also taking care of your personal life. Remember, a healthy work-life balance is not only good for your mental and physical health, but it can also benefit your work performance and overall career success. After all shouldn’t we work to live instead of living to work?