Episode 68: Unplugged: Time Tagging--the Quick Rescue Tip to Save Your Day

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“Our current modern medical career is void of flow. In fact, we are basically stumbling and tripping over multiple disruptors which fragment our attention and drain our cognitive energy,” explains host Dr. Lara Salyer. It can be really difficult to access flow working within the current Western medical model. With constant flow disruptors throughout the day, it is helpful to know flow enhancers that you can take advantage of to reduce cognitive load, increase dopamine, and strengthen you against burnout. Today, Dr. Lara shares her quick rescue tip of time tagging, along with a list of flow enhancers and disruptors to be on the lookout for.

If you do not have time to plan out your full week, or you simply forgot, or something came up and now your schedule is totally thrown off, don’t worry. There is still time to save your week and get back on track. Dr. Lara suggests using a method called ‘time tagging’. Time tagging is essentially looking at your tasks and thinking about when during the day would be the best time to do each one. Rather than just listing all your tasks in a random order, think about when you will have the most energy available during the day for that task. Time tagging is a method that sets clear goals for your day, makes the most of your time and energy, and enhances flow.

There are many opportunities to enhance flow throughout the day if you know what to look for. On the Catalyst website, Dr. Lara provides a full list of 36 flow enhancers and disruptors. Using tricks like time tagging, avoiding flow disruptors, and adding more flow enhancers into your day can really help with avoiding burnout and keeping your day running smoothly.

About The Catalyst Host, Dr. Lara Salyer:

I worked as a family physician for 15 years until burnout changed the trajectory of my career. I realized I wanted to start a holistic functional medicine practice in my rural hometown and made it happen. In addition to practicing functional medicine, I now mentor practitioners who are looking to change their paths in healthcare by using what I refer to as the “Catalyst Roadmap”. I share each step of this framework with listeners so that they may apply it to their careers, relationships, personal goals, and projects.

In This Episode I'm Talking About:

The concept of ‘flow’ in modern medical careers, the common disruptors, and their impact on our cognitive energy and overall productivity.
The ‘time-tagging’ technique, a novel approach to plan your tasks based on your energy levels, helping you to maximize efficiency and navigate your day with more ease.
The numerous opportunities to enhance your daily ‘flow’ by leveraging a comprehensive list of flow enhancers and strategies to minimize disruptors, all in an effort to prevent burnout and foster a smoother day.

Quotes:

“If you remove disruptors from your environment that fragment your attention and drain your energy, you will also make it easier for your day to go smoothly.” (2:57-3:06 | Dr. Lara)

“Time tagging is simply looking at when and really not what.” (4:29-4:33 | Dr. Lara)

“Clear goals are excellent flow enhancers.” (8:21-8:25 | Dr. Lara)

“Making it gamified with a challenge or risk is a very big flow enhancer.” (8:57-9:02 | Dr. Lara)

“The more you practice gratitude, it creates that psychologically safe environment that allows creativity and flow.” (9:23-9:28 | Dr. Lara)

“Our current modern medical career is void of flow. In fact, we are basically stumbling and tripping over multiple disruptors which fragment our attention and drain our cognitive energy.” (14:25-14:38 | Dr. Lara)