Noortje van den Boom, achiever story, multicenter onderzoek, taken combineren, PhD, prioriteiten, moet ik dit nu doen?
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Achiever story: Noortje van den Boom

Team Cupplement
Team Cupplement

I am Noortje van den Boom and this is my achiever story. When I started my PhD trajectory, I found it very difficult to organize my time myself and to combine all the different tasks. For example, I am busy leading a multicenter (13 participating hospitals) research throughout the Netherlands into the best treatment for Lisfranc fractures. It is complex because I am the coordinating factor and therefore also the contact person for all surgeons involved. As a medical doctor and (ex) top athlete, I obviously have a strong perseverance. Giving up was/isn't really an option for me. What has helped me to plan everything properly is by setting priorities for myself: by asking myself a number of short questions.

The trick is to ask yourself this question five times, focusing on a different word each time. If I answer the first (or a subsequent) question with 'no', then I no longer have to answer the other questions and you can put the job aside or leave it to someone else.

·         Do I have to do this now?

Is it an action to perform? Or is it information? Should anything be done at all? What is the solution, in action or in doing nothing? If not, then you don't need to ask the other questions either.

·         Do I have to do this now?

Am I the best person to do this? Can someone else perhaps do a better job, because they have more time or maybe more qualities for that specific job? Can I delegate the task?

·         Do I have to do this now?

Is there perhaps another solution?

·         Should I do this now?

What priority does the task have to do now, what would happen if I did it later or maybe not at all? Many tasks seem more urgent than they really are. Can it wait a week?

·         Should I do this now?

With this I determine the urgency of the task. In addition, of course Cupplement's coffee ensures that I can complete these goals with full focus!