Tackling Those Nagging Tasks Dragging You Down

Death by a thousand paper cuts.

You know exactly what I'm talking about. Those small, repetitive frustrations that chip away at your energy every single day. The outdated dot phrase you keep meaning to fix. The cluttered workspace that makes you cringe. The workflow that slows you down every. Single. Time.

We tell ourselves these things shouldn't bother us. That we should have figured this out already. But here's the truth: these nagging tasks are silently draining your energy and undermining your sense of self-efficacy.

The Hidden Cost of "Small" Problems

Think about your last workday. How many times did you encounter something that made you think, "Ugh, I really need to fix this"?

• That template that no longer serves you
• The repetitive task you do the clunky way every time
• The pile of clutter staring at you from your desk
• The to-do list item that keeps getting pushed to next week

Each encounter costs you:

• Time (even 30 seconds adds up)
• Emotional energy (frustration compounds)
• Mental bandwidth (decision fatigue is real)
• Self-confidence (when nothing feels like it gets better)

What You Can Control vs. What You Can't

Yes, some things are beyond your control. Broken hospital equipment, IT system failures, front desk workflow issues – these contribute to burnout, but today we're focusing on what's within your sphere of influence.

At Work:

• Outdated documentation templates
• Inefficient personal workflows
• Workspace organization
• Tasks you repeat multiple times daily

At Home:

• Household organization systems
• Family workflow improvements
• Personal space optimization
• Those projects that never seem to get done

The Momentum Secret

Here's what my husband and I discovered over Labor Day weekend: Success breeds success. When we tackled one small project and celebrated the improvement, we naturally wanted to keep going. That satisfaction of noticing "this is better" creates momentum.

Breaking the "I Don't Deserve Help" Cycle

As women in medicine, we've been socialized to accept under-resourced conditions. While our male colleagues might have chaperoned procedures (extra hands!), we're doing the same procedures solo, ungloving and regloving when we need supplies.

This socialization teaches us:

• We don't deserve help
• We should work harder than everyone else
• Asking for help means we're not capable enough

This stops now.

Your Action Plan

Start Small (10-15 Minutes Weekly)

• Update one dot phrase or template
• Organize one small workspace area
• Streamline one repetitive task
• Delegate one appropriate responsibility

The Teaching Investment

Yes, training others takes initial energy. Whether it's a scribe, medical assistant, or your kids packing their own lunches – the upfront investment pays dividends in reclaimed time and energy.

Celebrate Every Win

When you fix something