One small change

But before buying an exercise bike or cutting up your credit cards, it may pay to consider the ways that small, daily changes could enhance your life.

OT approached a panel of locum optometrists for the ways they have improved their lives by focusing on the moments rather than the momentous. Below they share the tweaks that have improved their happiness, finances and productivity.

Happiness

A walk at lunch and a high-quality caffeine hit are happiness staples for locum optometrist, Francesca Marchetti.

“I always carry a big handbag so that I can put my trainers on to go for a walk at lunchtime,” she told OT.

“I also make an effort to seek out the nice independent coffee shops close to the practices where I locum so I can get my extra hot oat milk flat white,” Marchetti said.

Locum optometrist, Niraj Patel, cultivates happiness by taking time out of the day to reflect on what he is grateful for.

“I reflect on my day, cherishing its joys while considering what I can improve for tomorrow,” he said.

Taking regular breaks during the year helps to maintain a sense of work-life balance for locum optometrist, Kam Sandhu.

“I use this time to switch off and recharge. I always return feeling refreshed,” she shared with OT.

A walk outside, in daylight, with friends and no smartphone are key happiness ingredients for locum optometrist, Frank Eperjesi.

Eperjesi highlighted that the vitamin D from the sunshine and the chance to share any difficulties with a friend can help to foster a good mood.

“No smartphone means you can pay proper attention to nature and your friends. There’s even a Latin phrase for it:Solvitur ambulando 'It is solved by walking’,” he said.

“When the effect wears off, go for another walk,” Eperjesi added.

I reflect on my day, cherishing its joys while considering what I can improve for tomorrow

Finances

When it comes to daily habits for financial security, Sandhu is an advocate of keeping a detailed record of business-related expenses so that she can identify opportunities to save.

Patel also makes an effort to review his bank statement at the end of each month so that he can monitor his spending.

Eperjesi makes an effort to list his monthly expenditure, and ensure that this is less than his regular monthly income.

“Seeing it written or typed gives it substance and reality,” he said.

He emphasised that knowing your budget gives you power over it.

“When regular monthly expenditure is less than regularmonthly income you are not in debt and you can save for unexpected circumstances, holidays or big ticket items,” Eperjesi shared.

No smartphone means you can pay proper attention to nature and your friends

Productivity

Locum optometrist, Sam Phillips, told OT that a change that has helped to improve his efficiency – while also having knock-on benefits for his happiness and finances – has been developing an increased awareness of his situation.

“Spending a little time periodically to understand if my work situation serves me positively allows me to identify areas that don't. I can then work to improve those factors,” he said

By taking the time to step back from his working life, he has identified improvements such as ensuring that his invoices and receipts are well organised and up to date.

“In doing so my relationship with work is healthier and I am more acutely aware of my financial situation. This hopefully reduces the likelihood of anxiety or burnout,” he said.

Sandhu ensures that she reviews appointment notes and patient records for those booked into her clinic before the clinic commences.

“This ensures that I am well prepared and familiar with each patient’s ocular history and health,” she said.

As someone who writes clinical optometry articles, Eperjesi emphasises the importance of making a start.

“A draft version is better than no version,” he shared with OT.

“Perfection is the enemy of productivity,” Eperjesi said.

Once he has written a version without worrying about spelling or grammar, he will return to his article and further refine the writing.

“It's a process of adding, removing and rearranging until I'm happy. Good enough is good enough,” he said.

For Patel, keeping track of his work commitments helps to boost his productivity.

“When I book a locum day, I add it to my Google Calander. As there are so many apps having them all on one place makes it easy to plan my weeks ahead,” he shared.