Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Blanche, So true. We've got to carefully balance task urgency with priority. Often times, they are not one in the same. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Coping with Stress

Alicia, This sounds like a wonderful plan. I especially like the way that the exercises you chose are low impact. A lot of times, instructors choose high impact exercise because they are driving toward dramatic change. The challenge with this approach is that they often injure themselves and then can't keep the exercise up consistently. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Joseph, Thanks for sharing. For some instructors, this approach works well. However, for others, the volume of tasks is so high that they cannot complete all tasks at once. In these situations, prioritization typically works better than immediacy. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Nicole, Yes, it's really ok. This is a tough lesson for many of us. Many instructors got to where they are professionally because of the immediacy issue. While this gives us a good turbo boost in our careers, it can be detrimental too. Sometimes it's healthier to take a step back and enjoy what life has to offer. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Gilbert, This is a great question and point. Some tasks are more urgent then others and have to be completed right away. Others are highly important but less urgent. When trying to balance the two, and figure out which to address first, I recommend thinking about the outcomes of not completing each task. Typically, doing so will give you the clarity that you need. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Streamlining the Grading Process

Karen, Yes, I fully support waiting until all papers are in before grading. Set a decent cutoff so the rest of the students don't have to wait for their grades. Grading all in one batch will make you so much more efficient and effective. It takes a lot of time to go back and grade one or two exams, because you have to get into the routine again. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Causes of Stress

Larry, Good points. For most of us, there are always opportunities to streamline or efficiency and improve our productivity. Sometimes the stress we experience in our lives simply highlights these opportunities and helps us focus on them and address them. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Denise, This is an interesting self assessment. Thank you for sharing. It sounds like you know yourself well. Swinging between procrastination and immediacy may feel stressful, but may also provide you the balance you need to both get work done and enjoy life too! Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Streamlining the Grading Process

Evangeline, I totally understand your concerns. To get around these issues, some instructors will ask students not to write their names at the top of their exams. Instead, students will use a code number. This way, exams can be graded by students anonymously and then the instructor uses the code number as a reference when assigning grades. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Coping with Stress

Larry, Excellent to hear. Sometimes it is best just to let go. It can be hard when we are used to balancing everything to watch as some things slip through the cracks but it's important for our sanity and productivity in other areas. Dr. Melissa Read