Why Doctors Can’t Time Block (and What to Do About It)
Being a doctor often feels like being pulled in a million directions at once. You’re juggling patient care, meetings, charting, and a pile of admin tasks that never seems to shrink. Time blocking—that productivity hack where you assign specific times to specific tasks—sounds amazing in theory, right? But for many of us in medicine, it feels like a fantasy. Here’s why doctors struggle with time blocking and how we can make it work for our unpredictable lives.
Problem 1: Healthcare Is Unpredictable
Emergencies, complicated cases, or even a single delayed patient can completely derail your day. The medical field thrives on unpredictability, and that’s why rigid schedules often fail.
The Fix: Add Buffer Time
Don’t pack your schedule to the brim. Leave room between appointments or at the end of your day for catch-up. This way, when the unexpected happens (and it will), you’ve got breathing room.
Problem 2: We Overcommit—A Lot
Doctors often feel obligated to squeeze in just one more patient, take on another committee, or stay late finishing charts. Overbooking yourself is practically a rite of passage in medicine, but it’s also a recipe for burnout.
The Fix: Prioritize Ruthlessly
Not everything needs your immediate attention. Use tools like the Eisenhower Matrix to figure out what’s urgent and what’s important. Delegate what you can and let go of what isn’t essential. Saying no is an act of self-care.
Problem 3: Nobody Taught Us This Stuff
Medical school trains us to diagnose and treat, but time management? That’s not on the syllabus. Most of us learn the hard way—through stress, missed deadlines, and frustration.
The Fix: Develop Time Management Skills
Treat time management as a skill you need to develop. Read books, watch videos, or hire a coach who works with healthcare professionals. There are also amazing tools out there like Google Calendar, Notion, and Asana that can help you stay organized.
Problem 4: Interruptions Are Constant
Pages, calls, questions from staff—it’s endless. Even when you’re in the middle of something important, interruptions can completely derail your focus.
The Fix: Set Boundaries
Communicate your schedule to your team. Let them know when you’re available and when you’re not. Block off time for deep work and ask for minimal interruptions during those periods. You’ll be surprised how much this helps.
Problem 5: Decision Fatigue and Burnout
By the end of a long day, your brain is fried. Planning your time or sticking to a schedule can feel impossible when you’re running on empty.
The Fix: Plan for Downtime
Yes, you can block time for rest, meals, and even short walks. Recharge so you can show up fully for your work. Try something like the Pomodoro Technique—25 minutes of focus followed by a 5-minute break—to keep your energy steady.
Why It’s Worth It
When you figure out how to make time blocking work for you, it can change everything:
Efficiency: You’ll get more done in less time.
Less Stress: No more juggling everything in your head.
Better Care: A clear mind means better focus on your patients.
Work-Life Balance: Finally, time for yourself and the people you love.
Start Small, Win Big
If time blocking feels daunting, don’t overthink it. Start by blocking just one hour a day for your most important task. See how it feels, adjust as needed, and build from there. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s progress. With practice, you’ll find that time blocking doesn’t just help you survive your schedule—it helps you thrive.
