How to determine what's really urgent

So many tasks in physicians’ professional and personal lives seem to require urgent attention, but immediately responding to too many urgent requests is sure to upset your equilibrium. Instead, pause and ask yourself these three questions:

1.    Does this need to be done at all?

2.    Does this really need to be done immediately?

3.    Does this need to be done immediately by me?

If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” you should discuss a more reasonable response time with the requester or explain why you believe the task is not essential.

Read the full FPM article: “Protecting the Time You’ve Got.”