VetCoach

Lesson 7: Multi-tasking and Memory Loss

TIPS - The Ideal Practice System

Multi-tasking and Memory Loss

Concerned that your memory is failing? Studies show that a pattern of multi-tasking, never concentrating on anything for more than a millisecond, can short out your memory. What's often assumed to be age-related memory loss may actually be due to multi-tasking, depression and stress.

Tips to help you create a stress-free zone at work:

Eliminate tolerations. Tolerations are those things that needlessly take our attention and drain our energy. The smudges on the exam room door. A flickering light. Equipment that needs recalibrated. Clutter.

As a practice team, list your tolerations and begin to eliminate them. Reducing tolerations is a game the whole staff can enjoy playing. Ridding your life of needless tolerations will help you be more tolerant of the things that require your patience.
Eliminate unnecessary interruptions. Put simple guidelines in place for how you expect your team to communicate with you and with each other. Often interruptions are a symptom that staff needs more acknowledgement, more direction or further training.
Compartmentalize similar tasks. Whenever possible, group similar tasks. Decide where in your schedule you want to see Wellness visits, for example. Schedule these Wellness visits before pet owners leave your clinic.

Soon, you'll be doing less unnecessary multi-tasking and helping your memory at the same time.

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Drs. Vickie & Bryan

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