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Imagine combining two of the best jobs on the planet.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

And motherhood.

At first, it seems like a dream come true, right?

But in reality, the combination is so much work it can quickly become a nightmare.

How do I know?

I know because I coach EMS professionals on how to transition from ground to air careers. And some of the folks I coach are EMS moms. It’s no exaggeration to say these gals are super humans.

I thought I was pretty motivated and productive –until I coached a handful of EMS moms. Then I started asking myself what exactly I had been doing all day (and night) to only accomplish what I get done relative to EMS moms.

I’m not kidding.

The difference between my productivity level and EMS moms was striking. So striking that I finally smartened up and asked the obvious question: “What are EMS Moms doing to get so much done?”

This article is the answer.

It explains seven things EMS moms do extremely well, but probably won’t ever tell you.

Why won’t they tell you?

Easy answer.

They don’t think anything of it. The seven techniques below are common knowledge and common place to EMS moms. Things EMS moms take for granted.

Here’s some good news: each of us can learn a lot from watching EMS moms.

Here are seven things EMS moms do to get a ton of stuff done.

7 Things EMS Moms Won’t Tell You

1.) Being a Role Model Matters

EMS moms care about the example they set for their children — a lot. One of the things that keeps EMS moms so motivated is the realization they’re always being watched.

They know their kids model their behavior and it’s very important to EMS moms to set a positive example.

EMS moms realize setting a positive example doesn’t require perfection. In fact, according to the moms I’ve coached, it requires far from perfection. It’s mostly about ‘showing up’ everyday and working hard at the things that matter.

2.) Flexible Childcare Is Critical

EMS moms value flexible childcare. They know flexibility is key to their success both on and off the job.

What happens when you work over shift and you’re not home to get your three kids on the school bus?

Successful EMS moms work out the details and the plan long before the situation arises. Flexible childcare is an absolute must to succeeding in EMS and air medical as a working mom.

3.) Mornings are Important

The EMS moms I coach swear mornings are key to mom success. The general consensus is a good morning leads to a good rest of the day, and visa-versa. So planning for good mornings is something moms believe is key to success.

How do you do it?

Without exception, every mom I interviewed said getting everything ready the night before is the most important thing. Don’t wait until morning to start getting organized. If you do, you’re too late and things will not go well.

4.) Live By A Family Calendar

EMS Moms live by a family calendar.

EMS Moms know it’s impossible to keep track of concerts, sporting events, work schedules, soccer practice and school events without a calendar.

You might think living by a calendar is restrictive. But EMS moms report exactly the opposite. They feel liberated and empowered by knowing when everything is at least scheduled to happen. The most successful EMS moms live by calendars.

5.) Talk To Your Boss

EMS moms talk with their boss before special childcare situations arise.

EMS moms work hard at minimizing surprises at home or at work. All say the key to success in this area is open communications between them and their supervisors.

Don’t get me wrong. None of the gals I coached were pushovers or anything less than strong-willed. They didn’t go looking for special treatment from their bosses. But they did make a special effort to keep their supervisors informed of their availability and non-availability for work.

6.) Manage Your Energy Not Your Time

Successful EMS moms manage energy, not time.

What does that mean exactly?

Successful EMS moms listen to their bodies and pay attention to their natural energy cycles throughout the day. Moms know what times they feel more focused and productive, as well as times where they’d rather crawl into bed than spend another minute working.

Maximizing energy cycles is key to EMS moms.

7.) Schedule ‘Me’ Time

EMS moms know it can’t always be about taking care of patients or taking care of kids.

Success is about balance. Success includes scheduling time for yourself. EMS moms realize they’re not at their best when they never take time to re-charge their own batteries.

Scheduling ‘me’ time is critical to success.

The Zen of EMS Moms

So what do you do now?

Now that you understand a little about how EMS moms get so much done, how can you use this knowledge to your benefit?

My advice is to start with gratitude. Pick up the phone and give your own mom a call.

Tell mom thanks. Tell mom you love her. Tell mom you were the one who broke the vase in 1983, not your dog.

You get the idea.

 

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Troy Shaffer
Troy Shaffer

About the Author: Troy is an Air Medical Career Expert passionate about a team approach to improving air medical safety from the ground up. Troy is a former Army medic, Army pilot, Coast Guard pilot and EMS pilot. Troy has taught hundreds of wannabe flight medics, flight nurses and EMS pilots the exact steps needed to launch air medical careers.

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