Dr. Melissa Read

April, Wow, sounds like you have quite the range when it comes to coping with stress. I like how you mention boxing. Many gyms are starting to offer this as a class. It's a fun way to blow off steam and cope with stress too. Dr. Melissa Read

Patricia, Good point! Stress can come from all directions and from so many different sources. Good stress management is often about identifying those potential sources early and often and keeping them at bay. Dr. Melissa Read

Todd, Yes, taking a step back from the problem is often a great way of solving it. Rather counter intuitive but there is something to stepping away and clearing your mind. Dr. Melissa Read

Marie, Sounds like you have several great coping mechanisms in place. Getting outside and being in nature is a wonderful way to relax when the weather is nice. When the weather is nice, some instructors take grading outside - perhaps at a picnic table or blanket at the park. This can be a wonderful way to make progress on your tasks while, at the same time, be relaxed and enjoying yourself. Dr. Melissa Read

Chris, Interesting discovery about yourself. Knowing the way you work and knowing yourself can really help you get more efficient at task completion. Dr. Melissa Read

Evan, Interesting point. When we think about the outcomes of not completing tasks on time, it can really put things into perspective! I like this evaluation technique. Thanks for sharing! Dr. Melissa Read

Todd, So true. We've got to assess each and every task that comes into our queue to determine priority ourselves. Often times, our definition of priority tasks is different than our fellow faculty members and administrations. Dr. Melissa Read

Jane, Wow, it's sounds like you have a great system in place for managing all your tasks. I have met a lot of instructors over the years who have used sticky notes with much success. They are wonderful and easy to rearrange as priorities change. Dr. Melissa Read

Josef, Lack of knowledge and the 'fear factor' that you describe are pretty common obstacles for instructors. It's ok to reach out for help when you're given a task to learn more about what is needed and how to get it done. A lot of times, when instructors reach out, they learn that the task is really not as hard or daunting as they once thought. Dr. Melissa Read

Kevin, Do what works for you. If prioritization is not needed for you to accomplish your goals, just use your list more freely as you do. Everyone is different in the way they complete their tasks and it's important to go with what works. Dr. Melissa Read