My mini-retirement is scheduled to begin this Thursday. Last night I received a request to fill in hospitalist shifts from Thursday to the following Wednesday. This was a last-minute scheduling crisis which, in my opinion, could have been foreseen weeks ago. The following is a lightly-edited excerpt from my response to a friend and fellow hospitalist:
Honestly, I don't want any of those dates. My 6-week "mini-retirement" begins on 10/2 and I am not interested in working AT ALL.
One of the reasons for the mini-retirement is to teach myself the discipline of saying NO to unwanted work and to stop involving myself in every f***ing solution to every f***ing crisis at [the hospital].
So I'm saying NO
One of the reasons for the mini-retirement is to teach myself the discipline of saying NO to unwanted work and to stop involving myself in every f***ing solution to every f***ing crisis at [the hospital].
So I'm saying NO
Protecting time off is a skill you can only learn from experience. Although I'm a firm believer in being available to help my colleagues if they are in a jam, I am learning--the hard way--that this kind of team spirit rapidly deteriorates into a false impression of willingness to work all the time. So I'm drawing a line in the sand.
Even if I have to use the F-word to get my point across.
Good on you.
I am enjoying your blog, and especially these posts about your current break. I think that if I could have had a mini-retirement (or two, or longer, maybe of the 6-mo variety) I wouldn't have chosen to be fully retired in my 50's.
Posted by: gottagopractice | October 08, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Hehe. Congratulations on saying no.
Posted by: dragonfly | October 01, 2008 at 07:09 AM
I learned to say no a long time ago. It's a great feeling.
Posted by: The Happy Hospitalist | September 30, 2008 at 05:36 PM
Failure to plan on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.
Sleep soundly.
Posted by: Doc | September 30, 2008 at 12:43 PM
One of my favorite quotes ever is Disraeli's "Never Explain, Never Apologize."
While explanations and apologies have their place, they often demonstrate our weakness or guilt over saying no. What about, "I am unfortunately not able to take any of those shifts." Period. End of discussion.
Posted by: Beach Bum | September 30, 2008 at 07:38 AM
As we say in Texas, "stick to your guns" (figuratively - of course). As Dr Phil says, "we train people on how we want to be treated." By drawing a line in the sand, assures that you will be rested and ready to take care of others AFTER your mini-retired.
Good Luck,
Jessica Bond
Medical Careerist
Posted by: Jessica Bond | September 29, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Good for you! Learning to say no is something that does not come naturally to everyone, myself included.
Posted by: Gillian Chan | September 29, 2008 at 01:06 PM
YES!!!
Breathe fire, Dragon Lady!!
Posted by: Vijay | September 29, 2008 at 12:38 PM
JUST SAY NO!!! And Often! great job!
Posted by: Enoch Choi | September 29, 2008 at 12:13 PM