For many midwives their biggest challenge is how to fit everything into their day, there just isn't enough time to do it all.
So what can you do to manage time? It is a finite resource, so you can only change what you do within it.
The first step to improving your time management is allocating time to do it... I know, you don't have time now, so how can you find time to do that?!?! There is an old saying "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got". If you don't do anything, then nothing will change (it might get worse I guess). So work out what you are going to give up to allow for the investment to make change(s).
The second step is to get some help to figure it out what works for YOU. If you already had the answers, then you probably wouldn't be reading this blog. Your time management challenges are unique to you, so solutions need to be focused on your challenges, not those of a CEO or someone in another profession.
If you really want to get personalised help with your time management then I strongly recommend working with Personal Efficiency Programme (PEP), you can google "pepworldwide".
You thought I was going to plug our business right? We have no affiliation with PEP. I completed their programme 20 years ago and I continue to use and pass on the things I learnt - so it made a big impact.
I mentioned the word investment earlier - and the investment for their programme is fairly significant at $2,228.00 plus GST per person.
The third step is to start implementing the tools and be resilient (a skill most midwives have). Focus on one thing, try different strategies and don't be put off when the first attempt doesn't instantly get the change you were hoping for. Change after all is a process not an event.
Sage can help too. Ok, you were right, I am going to plug our business. I still recommend PEP but we are offering an alternative if you feel that PEP is too much.
Sue and I have developed a course, with a midwifery lens, to introduce you to the PEP tools I learnt all those years ago, with some additions. We use collaborative learning, so you'll also get to understand the similarity of challenges and pressure points faced by other midwives. Plus the opportunity to share ideas of how others are dealing with the midwifery time challenges, and how they might implement some of the tools from the course.
Our "Introduction to Effective Time Management for Midwives" course is 3.5 hours and costs $120 +GST. You'll be able to start using the tools as soon as you've finished the course. As a business coach, if you'd like a bit more help, I can work with you one-on-one to develop your strategies.
The main thing is, you'll have started to make changes, and to take control of how you use a very precious commodity - your time.
Check out our Courses tab for details of our next "Introduction to Effective Time Management for Midwives" course.