My Computer turned into a Turtle.

Uncategorized Jun 27, 2019

So I managed to disable my computer today.

Normally it is pretty good at most things, but today I wanted to start moving a number of large video files and the whole thing became unusable.

Now, this has some impact on me as I quickly discovered just how dependent I have become as a GP to work with my computer.

There is a definite symbiotic relationship between myself, the practice software and the websites I use that actually allow me to practice effectively.

No computer… No GP.

Well, not quite no GP, but certainly GP with serious limitations compared to usual.

Now the interesting thing is that I did it to myself.

By setting the computer to do all these big tasks in the background, it left zero function on the front end.

Not the smartest.

So as I was dealing with an overloaded computer and my mind started putting up other possible solutions.

My favorite… I need to get a new computer.

Clearly, this might be the most difficult, as it would involve seducing my practice manager that yes, once a year when I do dumb stuff on my computer and it fails miserably, that this is a reason for him to invest in a new computer for me.

Yet this was the first solution my mind gave me.

I sat there and two more options appeared.

Cut up the work into bite size pieces so it doesn’t overload the computer.

Or schedule the work for when I am not trying to use the computer to consult at the same time.

A fourth solution appeared.

I decided that I had pushed it all too far and I was left with the only true IT solution known to work 98% of the time.

Yes, the reboot.

8 minutes later… I was back in business.

Clearly, I don’t like rebooting often as it takes so long, although it did open up for a short period of meditation while I waited.

And… in this experience I could see clearly I had a choice…

Complain about my computer or look at where the true problem actually lay…

Yes.

With me.

My choices stuffed the computer.

Pushing it way beyond its specs for intensive computing tasks and expecting it to be able to cope at the same time — was simply never going to work.

What I saw, is how my brain distinctly wanted to give me the “buy a new computer” as its only option, but when I rejected that — it was quite happy to give further alternative solutions for me.

The principle here is: The first solution may not be the best.

And this may be playing out for you in your GP exam prep as well.

You think “Ok… I’ve got these exams”…

I’m just going to dive in and start studying…

Never once stopping to think about whether this was the optimal approach to getting what you actually want — your Fellowship.

Time spent clarifying what you are aiming to achieve, assessing where you are now and the best way to actually get what you want (Pass your GP Exams!) would be extremely valuable to invest BEFORE committing to the hundreds of hours of study required.

Walking through the swamp and walking on the beach may both get you where you want to go…

But if you have a choice, unless you really like walking in swamps, you might take the time to assess the best way for you to get there.
If you would like to “walk on the beach” rather than “the swamp” then, what I want you to do is go to http://graduatemedicine.com/gpea and get yourself clear on your best way to your RACGP Fellowship.

Good studying!

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