Knowing When to Say When
Three weeks ago, my brother-in-law asked me if I'd like to join him at a Cleveland Cavaliers basketball game.
"I've got an extra ticket and thought you might like to go" he said.
When he offered me the ticket, I almost jumped out of my skin. These weren't ordinary tickets you see... these were floor tickets. As I stuffed my face with overpriced popcorn, $5.00 hotdogs and a $7.00 beer, I was particularly impressed with the halftime festivities offered by the team. On this evening, the Cavs brought in a team of professional "dribblers" that were able to do some of the most creative routines I've ever seen. One act that I fondly remember was that of gentleman who sat on the floor and was able to simultaneously spin a basketball on both toes, both knees, his nose and both index fingers. As I sat there in amazement, I couldn't help but think of this miraculous feat as a metaphorical act of what we all face on a daily basis.
While I can only speak for myself, I'm confident that we've all been there before. It all starts with an innocent request from your boss to take on additional responsibilities. Not wanting to disappoint, you graciously accept their invitation. The next day your medical director has a new request for you as well. The next thing you know there are 15 monitored metrics that you're held accountable to on your management report card. Before you know it, you find yourself in the same position as the halftime performer... trying to simultaneously keep all of the balls spinning before they all come crashing down to the floor.
Managing your time, responsibilities and obligations is no easy matter. When you include your personal life, and commitments to family and friends; work-life balance becomes a full-time job in and of itself. Unfortunately, the culture in healthcare is of finding a way to do more with less. By committing to projects and responsibilities that you don't have time for, you're unable to perform at a high level and unfortunately become quite average (if you're lucky). While some people would argue that that's life in the big city; I would disagree.
Whether it's an added request from your church, additional responsibilities at work, or volunteer hours for the profession, you must know yourself, and your limitations. While your heart may tell you to serve your patients, your work or your family, you're mind must be sharp, rational and balanced. Knowing when to say "no" is as equally as important as knowing when to say "yes". If you don't, your responsibilities will start to pile up like the straw on a camel's back. Before you know it and without forecast, all of those spinning balls will come crashing down around you; leaving yourself to ask the question... "How did I allow this to happen?"
Fortunately for the gentleman at the basketball game, his performance was flawless. Amazed, my brother-in-law looked at me and said, "How did he do that?"
"He knows his limitations" I responded. "What do you think would happen if we asked him to dribble eight-balls instead of seven?"