Category: nurse coaching

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Inbox Zero Doesn’t (Necessarily) Mean You Had a Productive Day

(Especially for Managers)

I used to feel this pressure that if I didn’t get to inbox zero, I hadn’t really had a productive day.

It didn’t matter what else I did—if emails were left unanswered, it felt like I was behind.

Back when I was working as a manager, I’d stay late trying to catch up. After hours of managing my team, peer conversations, problem-solving, and on-the-fly decision-making… I was still measuring the day by whether or not I’d cleared my inbox.

It makes sense in a way. We’re trained to check things off, keep up, and not let things slip through the cracks.

But at some point, I realized: Inbox zero is a nearly impossible to obtain moving target.
And chasing it was costing me my energy—and my confidence.

Inbox Zero Is Like Laundry

Let’s be honest:
Your inbox is like your laundry basket.
You clear it, and it fills up again.
Not because you’re failing—but because you’re a human working with other humans.

In management especially, email is constant.
People need things. They’re sharing updates, asking questions, flagging issues.
There’s always more.

And yet… many of us have internalized the idea that inbox zero = success.
So if we don’t hit it? We feel behind, disorganized, or even (especially!) guilty.

It’s a Pattern I See Often

Someone spends the whole day catching up on emails—feeling busy, even overwhelmed—and yet walks away thinking, “What did I even do today?”

Can you relate?

It’s one of the sneakiest thought patterns I coach people on:
You worked hard all day. You were on your feet, using your brain, solving problems.
But if the inbox isn’t empty, your brain tells you: “You didn’t do enough.”

So Let’s Ask a Better Question

What if inbox zero isn’t the point?

What if the better question is:

  • On a scale of 1–10, how productive do you feel today?
  • Did you do your best, given what the day threw at you?
  • What did you do that mattered—even if it wasn’t visible?

Try writing it down:

  • Helped a coworker navigate a crisis
  • Checked in on a struggling patient
  • Made sure an important task didn’t slip through the cracks
  • Had a thoughtful conversation with someone who really needed it
  • Avoided snapping when you were short on time and energy

Those don’t show up in your inbox.
But they’re the reason you’re valuable (and good at your job).

You Get to Redefine a “Good” Day

When I finally stopped measuring success by how many emails I answered, things changed.

I could feel proud of my day without needing to finish every single task.
I could actually rest, because I wasn’t tying my worth to a number that was designed to reset tomorrow.

You deserve that, too.

You don’t have to earn rest, pride, or peace by clearing your inbox.
Especially in healthcare—where the real work happens off-screen.

Want Support Redefining What Productivity Means to You

If you’re tired of measuring your value by how many messages you cleared—and still walking away feeling behind, frazzled, or frustrated—I can help.

I coach nurses and healthcare professionals who want to feel more calm, clear, and in control—without quitting their jobs or adding more to their plate.

If you work at Logan Health,

You have access to confidential 1:1 coaching through your benefits.
Click here to schedule your free session.

Not a hospital employee?

Book a complimentary consultation here.
Let’s talk about what’s getting in your way—and what life could look like instead.

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How to Use Comparison to Find Your Next Step in Healthcare


Have you ever noticed how quickly we can go from “She’s doing amazing” to “I’m clearly behind”?

You’re not alone. We are masters at scanning for what’s wrong—in our patients, our charts, our coworkers—and yes, in ourselves.

But what if comparison isn’t a flawed thinking?
What if it’s a tool?

You can use comparison to help you find solutions. Let’s talk about how.

THE TRAP: COMPARE & DESPAIR

You scroll social media. A former classmate just ran a marathon.
Your coworker finishes charting with 20 minutes left in her shift.
Someone you used to work with is now in a job that seems down right dreamy.

And the thoughts roll in:

  • I could never do that.
  • I’m too behind.
  • What does she have that I don’t?

The compare-and-despair loop can shut us down.

THE SHIFT: COMPARE & DISCOVER

Instead of shutting down, what if you got curious?

What if the very thing that triggered your frustration could lead you to your next step?

Consider:

  • If she can do it, then I can too.
  • How do I *think* she made it happen?
  • What is she doing that I am not yet doing? (What’s in the gap between where I am and where she is?)
  • What is one small thing I can start doing today?

This isn’t about copying someone else’s life. It’s about observing what works for her and trying it on for yourself.

WHY THIS WORKS (A LITTLE NEUROSCIENCE FOR YOU)

Your brain loves evidence. It thrives on proof.
So when you see someone doing something you want to do, your brain immediately takes notice—but if you don’t give it direction, it defaults to self-criticism.

Instead, you can train it to look for strategy, not shame.

  • What are they doing that’s working?
  • What mindset might they be practicing?
  • How do they talk to themselves when they fall short?

REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES

  • You notice a nurse who always seems calm, even during chaos. Instead of thinking “I’m a mess,” ask: What does she do differently? Does she pause and breathe before delegating? Does she prep her space a certain way?
  • You see a tech who finishes their tasks on time every day. Instead of assuming they’re just faster, observe their process. Do they batch tasks? Do they avoid distractions?
  • You watch a colleague speak up in a meeting with clarity and confidence. What are they saying yes to behind the scenes that gives them that energy?

TRY THIS: YOUR MINI JOURNAL PROMPT

This week, when you catch yourself comparing, ask:

  1. What (or who) am I admiring?
  2. What do I think they’re doing that I’m not?
  3. Is there one thing I could try on for size?
  4. What’s one baby step I can take today to move in that direction?

THE TAKEAWAY:
Comparison isn’t your enemy.
It’s a flashlight.

You can use it to shine a light on possibilities you hadn’t even considered. It’s not about feeling behind. It’s about finding your next right step.

This is the creative process of designing a life you love—not by guessing, but by noticing what resonates and adapting it to fit you.

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

If you’re a Logan Health employee, you can use your coaching benefits to get support on exactly this kind of shift. I can help you sort out the overwhelm and find what actually works for you. Click here to book a LHW coaching session (for our first session together, we’ll discuss what coaching is & isn’t, what sort of support you might be looking for, and how I can help.

If you’re not a Logan employee, you can still work with me. I offer complimentary consults to see if coaching is the right next step for you. Click here to book a consult.