Previously I wrote about my own crisis that really wasn’t one because I properly triaged the situation.

Urgencies - when we worry and inflate them into a mini-crisis - can be a major source of burnout.

Here are some great starting points on how to manage the next problem that lands at your feet:

• It almost certainly isn’t a real crisis. True emergencies are rare. Unless the situation involves serious personal or financial harm, it is probably an urgency. Pause and take a deep breath.
• Acknowledge that the event is in the past and immoveable. The only thing you can control is your own future actions and words.
• Now that panicking and time-travelling are off the table, stop to consider your options. Don’t be reactive by acting on the first thought in your head.

Thinking about your own life:

• How often in your week is a “crisis” brought to you?
• How do these events affect you emotionally and physically?

The worry in a non-emergency is often more time-consuming and stressful than the actual problem.

I’d love to hear how you determine whether something is an actual crisis or an urgency. Just reply to this email if you have anything to share with me.

Your colleague,

Dr. Kevin Mailo