I Didn't Check My Email Until Noon Today, And Guess What?

   I didn't check my email today until noon, and guess what? The world didn't collapse! If you are anything like me, the temptation to check my email starts from the minute my alarm clock goes off. I have actually made it a personal rule to not check my phone until I reach my office. That way I have my morning routine with out it and my car ride with out it. And usually when I walk in to my office the first thing I open after firing up my computer is my schedule and my email. And without fail, almost every day there is something in my inbox that can raise my heart rate. So what does that do to the start of my day? Reading a stressful email or two? Do you think that affects my interactions with my patients at all? I'm sure it does. So today, for whatever reason, I forgot to check my email. I think I was too busy this morning to have time for it. And when I finally did at lunch, those little emails were still there waiting for me. They didn't go anywhere.
   So what did I notice? I noticed a change in my mood, and I noticed a change in my focus. I wasn't rushing any patients or thinking of something else that needed to be done while someone else is talking to me. Oh come on, you never do that! I felt a feeling of peace, calmness, and the feeling that all I had to do was treat my patients. 
   I had already previously set up certain systems to help me deal with the never ending disease of "being accessible". I use automated social media posting software, so when you see me post something on Facebook or Twitter I most likely scheduled that a day ago! I also changed the settings on my phone so that my email inbox doesn't automatically refresh. Meaning I have to open the inbox and hit refresh for it to update. I think this small change has been HUGE. Instead of getting emails all through out my day I can schedule or find times to go through them all. And that time is dedicated to the emails, no landmines or torpedoes coming at me throughout my day. Also If you have ever tried to get a hold of me on the weekends you probably know that is an almost impossible task. I have a habit of letting my phone die on Friday and not recharging it until Monday. And I think my most recent discovery and newest change will be moving one of my email checking times from 7:30am to 12pm. So if you need me before noon, better call my office Adjust Dallas.