The Conflict Between Wants and Needs: How to Finish Your Notes Faster Without Guilt
Dec 20, 2024I remember a time where I was working on a note late at night, and messaged a specialist with a question at 9:08 PM. To my shock, she replied about 13 minutes later, indicating that she too was up late charting. Great for me (question answered!), but also NOT GREAT for either of us.
If you’re a woman physician stuck spending hours on charting, you’re not alone; pajama time is a real thing. Many of us feel the tension between what we need to do for our jobs and what we want for ourselves:
- You need to complete detailed notes to meet billing or legal standards (and maybe a bit of ego?!?).
- You want to finish your day on time and stop carrying mental tabs about unfinished tasks.
Why It’s So Hard
Your medical training conditioned you to focus on external drivers—meeting the needs of patients, colleagues, and administrators. That’s why charting often feels like an obligation, not something you do for yourself. Your brain prioritizes survival and external approval, making it harder to acknowledge your own desires, like getting home earlier or avoiding late-night charting sessions.
Three Steps to Close the Gap
- Identify Why You Want Faster Charting
Ask yourself: Why do I want to finish my notes before the end of the day? Maybe it’s to feel lighter, sleep better, or be fully present with loved ones. Write down at least 20 reasons to connect your goal with its deeper value. - Challenge Limiting Beliefs
What do you believe about your notes that might be holding you back? For instance, do you think every note must be perfect or that colleagues will judge you if they’re not? Start questioning whether these beliefs are truly necessary—or just habits formed during training. - Celebrate Small Wins
Progress isn’t about perfection. Decide on one small step—like closing a note immediately after a patient visit—and track your success. Over time, these incremental changes will create lasting improvements.
The Payoff
Shifting from meeting everyone else’s needs to prioritizing your wants doesn’t mean you’re neglecting your patients. In fact, it means showing up more fully—for them and for yourself. By finishing notes faster, you gain time, energy, and mental clarity to focus on what truly matters.
To dive deeper into these strategies, check out this week’s episode of Wants vs. Needs.
Listen to the episode →
You deserve to thrive, not just survive.
Hi There!
I'm Megan. I'm a Physician and a Life Coach and a Mom. I created this blog to help other Physicians and Physician-Moms learn more about why they feel exhausted, burned-out and overwhelmed, and how to start to make changes. I hope that you enjoy what you read, and that it helps you along your journey. And hey, if you want to talk about coaching with me, I'm here for that too! I offer a free 1:1 call to see if we are a good fit. Click the button below to register today.
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