Slideshow: How to Start Your Workday

1. Start on time

Decide what “on time” means — one hour before the first patient visit, 30 minutes before, five minutes before? The answer depends on the particulars of your practice, but decide — and then hold people (and yourself) accountable.

2. Create some space.

In the first moments of the workday, give yourself and your staff some space. Don't gather at the water cooler, don't interrupt each other, and don't schedule early morning meetings. Give each other some uninterrupted time to prepare for the day.

3. Perform an "intellectual mise-en-place."

Chefs use this technique, translated “everything in its place,” to gather what they need before they begin cooking. In the same way, look over your schedule each morning and prepare for what's ahead.

4. Eat a frog

Mark Twain is credited with saying, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” In other words, get that dreadful task done early in the day so the rest of your day will go better.

5. Plan ahead to enjoy something

Make sure your day's agenda includes not just tasks you have to do but something you get to do — something you enjoy. This could be an evening walk, a good meal, or time with family or friends.

6. Huddle with your staff

A team huddle — not a staff meeting but a brief, stand-up conversation — helps you check in with your staff about unique challenges and needs for the day. Your team can also share personal updates, if they'd like, which builds collegiality.

7. Start with a clean slate

Unfinished work from the previous day can sabotage your workday. It's a good habit to tie up loose ends — phone calls, emails, and so on — before you end the current workday. The goal isn't “inbox zero,” but you don't want “inbox 5,000” either.