Happiness in Academic Medicine Comes from Better Time Management with Ashley Paul, MD

The root cause of much unhappiness in our society can be attributed to the pervasive sense that we simply 'don’t have enough time.'

The themes covered in today’s episode of the Faculty Factory with Ashley Paul, MD, include the intersection of time management, efficiency, and insights from researching happiness.

Dr. Paul is an Assistant Professor of Neurology with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Md. She specializes in treating patients with movement disorders.

In today’s interview, Dr. Paul explains how she has incorporated various simple habits into her routine. For instance, she makes it a point to go outside once a day for a purposeless walk. These habits significantly impact her sense of time, happiness, and overall well-being.

The lack of time is prevalent in academic medicine, as we often struggle to meet high standards while balancing personal lives. However, this issue of feeling time-crunched extends beyond our field and affects almost everyone.

This is an especially important conversation for those of us living in environments where healthy habits are not seamlessly woven into the cultural fabric. For instance, the 'hustle and grind' mindset, often celebrated here in America, is frequently expected to take priority over family life.

Dr. Paul's consistent approach to time management, efficiency, and deriving joy as a byproduct comes from practical strategies such as time blocking, building timelines, and understanding one's mission.

Moreover, setting boundaries is essential while fostering well-being in our fast-paced lives. This involves cultivating sustainable habits, finding joy in the process, and recognizing the value of celebrating small wins to enhance both productivity and happiness.

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