- With Mayo Clinic oncologist
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
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Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Edward Creagan, M.D.
"The magic of the electronic village is transforming health information. The mouse and keyboard have extended the stethoscope to the 500 million people now online." — Dr. Edward Creagan
The power of the medium inspires Dr. Edward Creagan as he searches for ways to share Mayo Clinic's vast resources with the general public.
Dr. Creagan, a Newark, N.J., native, is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hospice medicine and palliative care. He has been with Mayo Clinic since 1973 and in 1999 was president of the staff of Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Creagan, a professor of medical oncology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, was honored in 1995 with the John and Roma Rouse Professor of Humanism in Medicine Award and in 1992 with the Distinguished Mayo Clinician Award, Mayo's highest recognition. He has been recognized with the American Cancer Society Professorship of Clinical Oncology.
He describes his areas of special interest as "wellness as a bio-psycho-social-spiritual-financial model" and fitness, mind-body connection, aging and burnout.
Dr. Creagan has been an associate medical editor with Mayo Clinic's health information websites and has edited publications and CD-ROMs and reviewed articles.
"We the team of (the website) provide reliable, easy-to-understand health and wellness information so that each of us can have productive, meaningful lives," he says.
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Stress blog
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Aug. 12, 2010
Priorities: Don't ignore the important but not urgent
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
While thumbing through a magazine in an airport, I came across an interesting take on the traditional to-do list. Most folks keep such a list on a smart phone, a piece of paper or just in their brains. Most often the list includes fairly mundane items, such as "get gas" and "buy groceries." More organized people may even have slightly longer term tasks on their lists, such as:
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- Renew driver's license
- Schedule annual dental checkup
- Pay off credit card
But the article I read suggested taking an even longer view and creating another to-do list focused on your future goals and what you need to do to accomplish them.
Examples of items on this list might include the following:
- Update resume for a possible job search
- Register online for a course to expand skills
- Visit a financial planner
This second list was new to me and a good reminder of the need to focus not only on what's urgent but also on what's important. Obviously, you can't skip the day-to-day stuff, like taking the cat to the vet, but neither can you neglect long-term planning for your own wellbeing.
How do you prioritize the "must do's" and still keep your future in your sights?
7 comments posted
July 8, 2012 3:10 a.m.
For over ten years I've controlled my business,personal and family life on a sheet of A3 white card or heavy duty paper. I update this every week-it literally only takes an hour or maybe a little less to complete.I list the following fourteen days and everything that has to be done such as business appointments,send a birthday card,buy theatre tickets or a note to 'phone to wish somebody "good luck" or whatever. I transfer everything that hasn't been done the week previous and not only does it make my life less stressful and smooth running but more urgent jobs are achieved.That's my master list. Then... and this is very important...the day BEFORE the next I write my daily list when I take the items for that day off the masterlist and I number each job in order of priority.It's important the daily 'to do' list is completed the day before so that when you start the new day you can see you have a day of purpose. Try this for a month and I guarantee it will help. Good luck. PS once it's written down it can be forgotten and your mind feels freed!
- Steve
August 19, 2010 6:34 a.m.
I am the "queen of lists" in my family. I love lists and reminders because then I don't forget to do the important things in my life. I also have a daily journal and enter notes in it, eg "make appointment with" because I don't expect to remember to do everything. I also use my computer journal program. I love lists - people think I am well organized because of my lists!
- Barbara
August 18, 2010 10:19 a.m.
I still keep a todo list even though I'm retired and have reached my goal of being a "lady of leisure." It's fun to look at the list and think: I don't feel like doing anything today. It's a relaxing feeling, but if I have energy and desire, there are things to do.
- Roberta
August 17, 2010 4:32 p.m.
I have a program on my Apple computer called "Stickies." It allows me to put virtual Post-it notes on my computer's desktop. I like to use these little notes for personal goals that I will see every time I open my laptop. One recently was "update trust." It stayed there for a long time. Eventually, I got it done and removed it. I also have a note with the address of a friend who is in a rehab center following a serious injury. She lives in another state. But the note reminds me to frequently send her notes of encouragement; and the address of the rehab center is right there in front of me.
- Alma
August 17, 2010 3:47 p.m.
"Making a list and checking it twice" I find very useful to my well being as the primary caregiver for my wife of 53 years who suffers with Lewybody dementia. It's the only way to stay ahead of the curve.
- Dick
August 17, 2010 10:26 a.m.
It can be very satisfying to check things off a list. It also can be quite intimidating to look at a long list or one that has too many "big things" that require many steps. And, it seems that with no list, one becomes quite aimless. It helps me to remember that a list is still flexible. Maybe it is better to do #3 first. Maybe today just isn't the day for any items. Life gets in the way sometimes. So it becomes more of a general guide, and one thing that seems to work for me is to periodically sit down and evaluate. The list can get too "daily." Say, where am I now, where do I want to be five years from now? And, what do I need to do to get there? What things do I need to be doing now, next year, and so on. Doing that helps put things in perspective. Then you can realize that your list has things to do immediately, as well as things for next year or the year after. The longer view helps keep your list from turning into simply "what am I doing today" or tomorrow. It can also help you break down the really big items into smaller steps - which allows you to see progress. Remember to celebrate it progress, even if there's a lot of list ahead!
- Susan
August 16, 2010 3:46 p.m.
I am a list person by nature and it really helps to keep me on track BUT i don't consolidate my lists. I have one for home/personal, one for school and one for professional/work objectives. That may seem like a lot but i tired to put them all on one and it was too huge for me to work with. I keep my lists in a portfolio and as I scratch off accomplishments I review and if I need to update my lists, then i make a new one. It works for me and keeps me focused and I try to remember to celebrate the mini-goals as they are accomplished. Hope this helps.
- Maree
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