Personal Management: Time and Self-Care Strategies Chapter 2 Personal Management: Time and Self-Care Strategies

Personal Management: Time and Self-Care Strategies Identify your individual time style and personal time-management strategies Discuss strategies that increase organizational skills and personal priority setting Describe early signs of burnout and how it affects nurses Discuss the importance of caring for yourself Identify strategies for self-care

Managing Your Time Lack of organizational and time-management skills identified by employers of new graduate nurses as areas for improvement and assistance Balance is the key Make time to meet individual, family, and professional goals/needs Putting off assignments may lead to increased anxiety and more stress

Managing Your Time (cont’d) What are your biologic rhythms, and how do you use them? Biorhythms affect energy levels Determine your high-energy times Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep Avoid situations that may disrupt your sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm) Engage in a relaxing activity 1 hour before bed

Managing Your Time (cont’d) What is meant by right- and left-brain dominance, and where is my brain? Left-brain traits Process information in a sequential, linear manner Want to know the rules and play by them Extreme forms→ overworked and rigid Right-brain traits Resist rules and schedules Creative, flexible thinkers—like to look at the “whole picture” Extreme forms→ fail to meet deadlines, causing guilt

How Can I Manage My Physical Environment? Set up a specific work area that is conducive to your physical environment For projects and studying, find a place that is comfortable, well lit, and free of distractions Compartmentalize and color-code items Keep frequently used items in a conveinent location Declutter the clutter

Managing My Physical Environment What about all the paperwork—how can I manage it? File it Forward it Respond to it—on the same sheet if possible Delegate it Discard it

Managing My Physical Environment (cont’d) Use the ABCD system when items cannot be handled right away A pile—requires action as soon as possible B pile—necessary, but can wait for now C pile—can wait till you get to it or could be discarded D pile—can be immediately discarded or delegated to someone else

Managing Tasks How do I deal with procrastination? Set priorities Eliminate wasted time by avoiding too many social phone calls Break a task into separate small steps Establish multiple, specific, and realistic short-term goals Get started by taking one step at a time Periodically review your progress Reward yourself as you accomplish each short-term goal Avoid doing the work of others Delegate tasks when possible Be realistic

Managing Others Learn to say “No” Practice assertive communication skills Try to limit your time with individuals who complain, criticize, and have unproductive behaviors

Managing Others (cont’d) What about delegation and time management? Don’t handle everything personally Identify tasks that can be completed by others

Self-Care Strategies How do I take care of my physical self? Must take care of yourself first before you are able to take care of others Self-care—the practice of engaging in activities that promote a healthy lifestyle Keeps you thriving in nursing instead of just surviving

Is Burnout Inevitable for Nurses? Early Warning Signs of Burnout Irritability Weight changes Frequent headaches and gastrointestinal disturbances Chronic fatigue Insomnia Depression Feeling of helplessness Negativity Cynicism Angry outbursts Being self-critical

Empowerment and Self-Care Learning about self-care is really about empowerment With empowerment comes a feeling of well-being and effectiveness Knowing yourself is the very first step in learning to care for yourself

Suggested Strategies for Self-Care Based on the Holistic Self-Assessment Tool Not having our life in a state of balance + Not having a vision for the future = A state of poor self-esteem

Am I Emotionally Healthy/ Emotionally Intelligent? Being aware of your feelings and acknowledging them in a healthy way Emotionally intelligent Knowing one’s emotions Managing emotions Motivating one’s self Recognizing emotions in others Handling relationships

Self-Care How Do I Take Care of My Physical Self? Getting proper nutrition Maintaining a healthy weight Obtaining adequate sleep Quitting smoking Limiting alcohol consumption to one drink daily Exercising on a regular basis Engaging in some form of relaxation

Self-Care Activities Physical exercise Laughter Mental exercise Motivating yourself Alternating physical and mental tasks

How Do I Increase My Mental Potential? Is It Okay to Daydream? Remove negative thoughts or self-defeating beliefs Give yourself daily affirmations Begin each day with some affirmations

What Are My Choices? How Do I Exercise Them? Take a proactive stance Use proactive language versus reactive language Act responsibly toward yourself and others

GAIN CONTROL OF YOUR TIME, AND YOU WILL GAIN CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE Mayonnaise Jar GAIN CONTROL OF YOUR TIME, AND YOU WILL GAIN CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE