You Don't Have a Time Problem. You Have a Decision Problem.
From Academic Medicine Strategy Podcast by Dr. Stacey Ishman
April 8, 2026 · 21 min
About this episode
Dr. Stacey Ishman discusses how early-career physicians can improve their career trajectory by making better decisions rather than seeking more time.
You Don’t Have a Time Problem. You Have a Decision Problem Early-career physicians often feel like they’re running out of time, yet still falling behind on the work that actually moves their careers forward. In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman reframes the problem: it’s not about finding more time, it’s about making better decisions about where your time and energy go. This shift is critical for building a sustainable path to promotion, research, and meaningful academic impact. No need to take notes—visit the blog for a full summary of key insights. If you’re interested in working with Academic Medicine Strategy Group, visit www.amedsg.com to learn more about our programs designed to help you build a clear, strategic path to promotion, research, and career advancement. Key Points: [00:00–00:03] The Myth of “Not Enough Time” Feeling behind isn’t due to lack of effort. Physicians are working hard, but often not on the work that actually advances their careers. [00:03–00:05] Reactive Work vs Strategic Work Most physicians operate in reactive mode—handling urgent tasks—while delaying high-impact work like manuscripts, grants, and career planning. [00:05–00:07] Motion vs…
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Stacey Ishman
Topics covered
- career advancement
- decision making
- time management
- academic medicine
- strategic planning
Keywords
- early-career physicians
- decision fatigue
- strategic work
- career promotion
- academic impact
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Academic Medicine Strategy Group
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