How ER Doctors Saved My Husband (and My Writing) by Susie Kralovansky

​My husband, Kurt was thirty minutes into a three-hour bike ride when he had a stroke. And crashed. He woke up surrounded by biking friends and EMTs. The trip to the ER revealed that both his hip and clavicle were fractured, and he couldn’t move his left leg.
           
​ I was amazed as I watched the ER staff. I saw no hustle. No obvious sense of urgency. The same was true when he was moved to the ICU. Again, there was no alarm, no hustle. Not one person yelled, “STAT!” but the amount of work they accomplished was amazing. 

As I watched these professionals, it occurred to me that I should try this methodical, efficient, stress-free movement from task to task to increase productivity in my writing life.

When a patient arrives in the ER, the doctors have a protocol they follow. Kurt’s fractures had been identified, but they weren’t addressed until the brain bleed was under control. The other items aren’t being ignored or forgotten, but there is no use fixing a broken hip if bleeding in the brain can’t be stopped.

The hospital staff begins each day with an assessment of the patient’s condition – something we can easily do with our writing. They then form a plan and check off each item as it is accomplished. Their mantra is to stay focused, stay calm, and reach out for help if they’re overwhelmed, all excellent writing advice.

Writers may have one, two, or even seven irons in the fire, but to move forward productively, we also need a protocol:

• Assess your patient(s). If you’re under contract, that’s your main objective; if you’re in the idea stage of a new piece, that is your focus. Don’t fix the clavicle just yet. Fix the brain bleed first.  
• Panic and stress are counterproductive. If you hurry, mistakes happen. When you work yourself into a tizzy trying to find that perfect phrase, word, research tool, etc. – stop! Take a breath and change your mindset.
• Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t forget the importance of your community – your critique partners, your writing friends.

Ready to give it a try? Set up your own productivity protocol (STAT!) and find yourself moving methodically and efficiently through your writing tasks.