You Don’t Have a Time Management Problem — You Have a Priority System Failure
In this episode of the Medical Mentor Coaching podcast, Dr. Stacey Ishman challenges one of the most common assumptions early-career physicians make: that feeling behind is a time problem. Drawing from real coaching examples and lived experience in academic medicine, she explains why the real issue is a missing or misaligned priority system—and how that quietly derails careers, promotions, and fulfillment.
This conversation is especially relevant for physicians in their first 10 years of practice who look successful on paper but feel stalled, reactive, or frustrated underneath it all.
No need to take notes—check out the blog for a written summary of these insights.
If you are interested in structured support to build a focused, sustainable academic career, keep reading for ways to connect.
1. It’s Not About Time (0:00 – 2:20)
Most physicians do not have a time management problem—they have a priority and boundary problem
Clinics are full, inboxes are overflowing, and goals keep getting deferred
The assumption that “next year will be different” rarely holds true
2. What Your Calendar Reveals (2:20 – 3:15)
“My days are full, but my priorities are not on there”
A time audit shows what is actually being valued
Building a national reputation requires visible, consistent focus—not scattered effort
3. Why Giving Up Discretionary Time Doesn’t Work (3:15 – 4:10)
Seeing one more patient does not fix a broken system
Sacrificing academic or protected time creates short-term relief without long-term progress
4. Urgency vs. Importance (4:10 – 6:00)
Without a priority system, everything feels urgent
Reactive work becomes all of your work
Important but non-urgent work must come first or it never happens
5. Delay Is Not Neutral (6:00 – 7:15)
Postponing strategic work compounds over time
Promotion delays, unfocused CVs, and persistent frustration are common downstream effects
6. Looking Successful While Feeling Stuck (7:15 – 8:30)
Leadership roles and committee work can mask internal dissatisfaction
Burnout often appears here—but it’s a signal, not the root problem
7. The Three Types of Work You’re Juggling (8:30 – 10:30)
Deep work: writing, research, thinking, creating
Collaborative work: teaching, mentoring, teamwork
Reactive work: email, EMR, administrative tasks
A real priority system creates boundaries for all three
8. A Coaching Example: Permission, Not Clarity (10:30 – 12:30)
A surgeon who knew exactly what he cared about—but hadn’t protected time for it
The missing piece was permission to treat academic time as non-negotiable
Alignment restored momentum and meaning
9. A 90-Day Reset (12:30 – 14:00)
Stop asking how to fit more in
Decide what actually needs time and space this quarter
Protected time + a clear framework changes everything
This episode reframes productivity struggles in academic medicine and offers a more honest diagnosis: without a clear priority system, physicians inherit everyone else’s agenda. Dr. Ishman outlines why working harder isn’t the answer—and how intentional focus, protected time, and aligned priorities are what actually move careers forward.
If you are interested in getting structured support around priorities, promotion strategy, and career direction, join us for the 90-Day Strategy Sprint or explore additional resources at Medical Mentor Coaching.
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If you’d like to get in touch or suggest future topics:
● DM on Instagram at @sishmancoach
● Message on LinkedIn: Medical Mentor Coaching
● Email: staceyishmancoach@gmail.com
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