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Friday's Digest - The Newsletter for Doctors & Scientists
Why do you dream about vacations at work?
Friday's Digest - The Newsletter for Doctors & Scientists
For two decades, I've been developing tools that have improved my practice in medicine, dentistry, and scientific research.
Join me every Friday to discover a new tool you can integrate into your workflow as a doctor, a scientist, or both.
I believe in sharing knowledge, embracing automation, boosting productivity, and finding joy in the process.
Adapted from Photo by Marten Bjork on Unsplash
My Podcast
My Podcast
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Listen to my podcast by clicking here.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Preface
Main Article
Viewers’ Favorite
Preface
Preface
🥱What an exhausting week!
Generally, my energy levels during the week are directly proportional to the weekend.
And last weekend didn't set me up for success ⛑️.
It started with a long day in the OR on Friday 😷, followed by sleeping at the hospital on Friday night 🛏️. Then, as the cherry on top, I gave an online lecture at 5:30 am on Saturday 👨🏻🏫.
Yep, you read that right. 5:30 am. The birds weren't even up yet.
The weekend was quite hectic, and Monday was another marathon day in the OR 🧗♂️.
On Tuesday, I took firstborn and secondborn to see Andre Rieu 🎻. My kids have been his fans since they were in diapers, so seeing him live in Boston was really nice.
But the concert ended way past their bedtime—and mine. So, the sleep deficit continued to accumulate.
By the time the weekend was in sight, I was running on fumes and eventually got sick. I took my first-ever sick day on Friday. First one in 24 years 🤒.
Sure, I've had a few "sort-of sick days" before—like when I had a hand injury that forced me to shift my schedule, or when I took time off to care for a family member. But this was my first genuine sick day.
This experience got me thinking about folks who take personal days and sick days as an escape from work.
So today, I'd like to share how I manage to make my job something I enjoy on a daily basis.
Number 57 is here!
Let’s do this!
Main Article
Main Article
Picture this:
You wake up in the morning feeling even more tired than you were before going to bed. Sure, you like your job, but sometimes taking a sick day sounds way better 😷.
You eventually crawl out of bed. Coffee in hand ☕️ (and maybe some food if you're having a lucky day), you brush your teeth 🪥, maybe shower, shave, drop off the kids—or insert your own task here— and then you're off to work.
💭On your way, you think to yourself: When did I lose my motivation?
💭On your way, you think to yourself: When did I lose my motivation?
Generally, you like your job. Sure, you've got those annoying coworkers and tasks that drain your soul, but overall, it's a net positive.
Let's say 70-80% good vibes and only 20-30% negative. Not terrible, right?
So why isn't it 90-100% amazing? 🤩
Why do you dream about vacations at work 🏝️, only to find they feel too brief once you're back?
Why do you dream about vacations at work 🏝️, only to find they feel too brief once you're back?
I've struggled with this for years. I've even had moments where I was jealous of folks who could call in "sick" just to enjoy a day off.
💪 But then I started using 3 simple tools that were game-changers.
They keep me motivated even when times are hard.
Don’t get me wrong. 😴 Getting out of bed is still difficult, and I do dream about a nice vacation. But that's more about needing a break than wanting to escape my work-life.
So here they are! My 3 tools for making your job more enjoyable:
So here they are! My 3 tools for making your job more enjoyable:
P.S.: If you're extremely busy and think these tools won't fit your hectic schedule, I have a bonus section in my podcast for you. See you there!
🔵 1. Schedule 45-90 Minutes for Deep Work Every Day
🔵 1. Schedule 45-90 Minutes for Deep Work Every Day
🎯Every job has its core responsibilities—the essence of your role.
It could be a project deadline, a presentation, some essential reading, or a grant proposal. You know these are crucial, but somehow, they keep getting sidelined because you can't find the focus or the time.
That's where your problems start.
These tasks hang over you like a dark cloud ☁️, sapping your happiness.
And if you fail to complete them for a day, a week, or a month? You'll start your morning feeling miserable and resentful towards your job.
🏂 This is where "Deep Work" comes in.
🏂 This is where "Deep Work" comes in.
First, what is "Deep Work"?
It's being 100% focused and highly productive. No one can sustain this level of intensity all day, but a solid 45-90 minutes is doable.
🤔 What should you work on during this time?
🙋♂️ The vital tasks, the ones you keep putting off.
🤔 How do you know when you’ve reached 100% focus and productivity?
🙋♂️ After a focused session, you'll know. You'll feel like you've accomplished what usually takes 4-5 hours to complete.
🤔 When's the ideal time for "Deep Work"?
🙋♂️ For most, it's in the morning, between 5:00 am and 11:00 am.
🤔 What's required for successful "Deep Work"?
🙋♂️ A distraction-free zone. No calls, no emails, no small-talks.
🤔 Can't find a 45-minute slot?
🙋♂️ Try starting with 25 minutes. It's manageable for almost anyone.
Starting your day with Deep Work is like a morning win—you feel good all day.
Starting your day with Deep Work is like a morning win—you feel good all day.
Why? Because you've already nailed the most important thing on your list.
🏡 Take Home Message:
🏡 Take Home Message:
Block out 25-90 minutes every day for "Deep Work."
🔵 2. Have a Side Project
🔵 2. Have a Side Project
🔄 Sometimes, work feels monotonous, like you're stuck in a loop.
This isn't necessarily bad. You've probably become an expert in your field, so your job feels routine.
But when the routine settles in, the excitement starts to fade ⬇️.
But when the routine settles in, the excitement starts to fade ⬇️.
Then, what are your options?
Switch jobs? In most cases, that's not the solution. Remember, you're an expert, not someone needing a total career pivot.
🏒 So this is where a side project comes in.
🤔 What should this project be?
🙋♂️ Something that excites you or advances your career.
🤔 Can't think of one?
🙋♂️ March into your boss's office and ask: "Got any projects on your to-do list that I can take?" This way, even if the project isn't your cup of tea 🫖, your initiative will earn you points with your boss. Genius, huh? 😃
🤔 “And what about if I’m my own boss?”
🙋♂️ In that case, the side project could be introducing something new to your lab or business, offer a new treatment modality to your patients, take a business course to increase your profits, and so on.
🏡 Take Home Message:
🏡 Take Home Message:
Take on a side project. It will spice up your job. Take enough side projects, and one of them will change your life.
🔵 3. Allocate 20% Time for Admin Work
🔵 3. Allocate 20% Time for Admin Work
Ah, admin tasks. We all have them, and nobody enjoys them.
Here's the catch: these chores often hijack the time best suited for your "Deep Work," turning them into the focus of your job and making you miserable 😩.
🤔 So what can I do?
🙋♂️ First of all, NEVER EVER do admin work during your “Deep Work” time. No matter what.
Second of all, you need to SCHEDULE time for admin work.
🤔 When should I schedule it?
🙋♂️ Toward the end of the day, when you're least focused and interruptions are more likely. Finishing it quickly is a great incentive so you can go home.
🏡 Take Home Message:
🏡 Take Home Message:
Devote 20% of your day to admin work. No more, no less.
Need more time? Work faster. Don’t waste so much time on admin.
Need less time? Prefect. Do 10 more minutes of “Deep Work” and go home.
Or just go home 😉.
🌟Bonus section - Hacks for the extremely busy:
🌟Bonus section - Hacks for the extremely busy:
🥵Thinking you can't possibly find 45 minutes for "Deep Work"? Your job won't allow for such freedom?
I hear you!
I'm working 11-18 hours a day in a job that's anything but flexible.
So, how do I make it work?
And if you like this kind of job-related tips, you may also like my 7-day email course on “How to Start a New Job”. You can check it out by clicking here.
Viewers’ Favorite
Viewers’ Favorite
How can you effectively manage your references and stay up-to-date?
In this video, I provide a step-by-step guide on setting up Notion and Zotero on your computer to automate your reference management.
I'm thrilled to know that so many people have found this guide useful and are incorporating it into their daily routines.
Fun fact: I filmed this video at 3:00 am 🥱😱😀.
My Workflow for Reading & Writing Manuscripts
My Workflow for Reading & Writing Manuscripts
I stopped using Acrobat Reader and Microsoft Word, and never looked back!
This is how I use Notion and Readwise Reader.
Epilogue
Epilogue
That’s it for this issue.
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Have a great weekend!
Shay
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