7:00 AM

My first alarm goes off at 7am and keeps ringing until I manage to pull myself out of bed – usually 30 minutes later. I then promptly get ready and head out the door by 8am to start my public transport commute.

Although the commute is long, I use this time to think about what I need to get done today, reply to messages, and check social media and the news.

8:50 AM

After logging on, I check my emails to see if I have received any information and data on performance in our clinical and non-clinical areas that was requested before the weekend for our monthly performance report.

I continue working on the report, using the information that has come through and ensuring that all the information lines up.  I also jump online to gather additional hospital performance data to insert into the report appendix and analyse which performance indicators are relevant for the report.

Approximately 30 minutes before my meeting, I print off documents pertaining to the meeting, cross reference my progress with the task list and note areas that I want to discuss.

10:00 AM

The first meeting of the week is a team meeting about our performance report that is due in a few days. We go through the task list and check the progress of each team member. This is also an opportunity to discuss areas of concern, varying information that has been presented and information that is still outstanding from stakeholders.

To finish up, priorities and deadlines are reiterated and we agree to touch base again the next day.

11:00 AM

At this point of time, my stomach’s been rumbling throughout the meeting, so I quickly go grab a hot chocolate (no, I don’t drink coffee) with my graduate buddy and get a good laugh at how the café’s cashier decides to spell my name. I use this as an opportunity to catch up with them, grab some fresh air and vitamin D to re-energise myself.

11:15 AM

Whilst waiting for information that I need to complete the report, I work on some of my project work. I am currently developing a process guide as a part of the policy framework but firstly I need to finish developing a project plan. The project plan will set out the different milestones to ensure that I keep on track with the timeline and prompt me to consider all aspects needed to complete it. A lot of work needs to be done going forward, and completing this will be my focus after the performance report is submitted. 

1:00 PM

As I prefer to have a shorter afternoon, I tend to eat after 1pm when time permits. Today’s a bit busier than usual so I decide to quickly eat my lunch in the kitchen. Usually, when it’s not so busy, I enjoy heading outside to eat with some colleagues. 

1:30 PM

My manager and I have an informal catch-up to see how I am travelling with the report as it’s the first time I’m working on it. They review what I have finished so far and provide some feedback and pointers on how to go about some sections.

2:30 PM

More information for the report has flowed through so I start sorting through it and typing things up. The report now starts looking more like a report.

I then begin to question my understanding and sanity when some of the information doesn’t seem to align with other material I have. After having a discussion with my manager, we determine which source of information will be used (I wasn’t going insane, the information was actually different). Having been able to clarify this allows me to complete the majority of my report sections.

I then jump onto Excel to try and fix the style of a graph I have received so it aligns with the whole report. What I thought would be an easy task was not as the data source of the graph could not be extracted, so I send off an email requesting the data but was wary that they would be unlikely to get back to me in time. So, as a precaution, I manually recreated the graph in the way it was required.

5:00 PM

The remaining pending items are out of my hands so I make sure all emails have been replied to, a progress update has been sent to my manager, check my calendar for tomorrow, tidy up my desk and start packing up my belongings for my commute home.

On the way home, I like to do some mindfulness exercises to clear my mind and destress as well as making sure I’ve replied to personal messages that have come through during the day.

6:00 PM

I get home and contemplate whether I should get some exercise in today (usually a no) then proceed to take a shower and change into some comfy PJs. Whilst eating dinner, I will usually be accompanied by my laptop which will be streaming YouTube, TV dramas or reality shows (it’s not as sad as it sounds, seriously).

8:00 PM

It’s around this time that I begrudgingly start studying for my CPA exams and/or complete some assignments for my Diploma in Leadership and Management. As per usual, everything else becomes more interesting when I should be studying and I often get sidetracked by social media. 

10:30 PM

As I’m not a morning person, I make sure I have everything ready to go for the next morning (lunch packed and clothes to be thrown on). Whilst brushing my teeth, I double-check my calendar to see if I have any appointments in the morning and that I have prepared for it if I do. I will then do some light reading whilst rolling on my foam roller or stretching before drifting off into dreamland. I require adequate sleep to function, especially when I know I have a long day tomorrow.