Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Joanne, So true. It's tempting to just knock several easy tasks out of our queue and to push off the more time consuming things. To get around this, some instructors have found success in breaking large tasks into smaller chunks. The smaller chunks feel a lot more manageable and are more attractive to complete. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Sharon, Like many people, instructors often engage in tasks that we enjoy first. It's natural to seek these tasks out and procrastinate the rest. To your point, the challenge is often pushing ourselves to do the less desirable tasks in a timely manner. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Causes of Stress

Patricia, Glad to hear your personal life does not have as much stress as work. It's nice to know that you are not taking stress from all sides like many of your fellow instructors. This makes your stress a little more manageable I'm sure. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Patricia, Immediacy can come with it's own set of challenges - as I'm sure you've observed. When we have a lot of time on our hands, it's tempting to continuously work ahead. This doesn't give us much of a break. Sometimes it's best to take a step back and just enjoy the moment. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Rachel, So true. When we don't have everything down on paper, it's easy for some tasks to get lost altogether. This is why to do lists are so handy. They keep us organized, get our thoughts out of our mind and down on paper instead. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Tracey, Sounds like you have an excellent system in place! Great work. Prioritization is the key to getting things done in an organized way while also making sure that the most important tasks happen on time. At a guess, you are meeting or exceeding your deadlines. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Brittany, Excellent to hear. Sounds like you know yourself very well and have a great plan for the future. I'm class this course helped with that! Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Coping with Stress

John, Sometimes as we mature, we gain new perspective and priorities. This changes the way we experience stress and often relieves us of the pressure we experience because of it. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Nadine, Yes, often times, instructors do experience the positive benefit of reduced stress when their to do lists are in order. Things don't get completed any faster, but they feel like they are more in control of things. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Coping with Stress

Paul, Yes, I like your thinking. For most of us, balancing a few different coping mechanisms is the best approach. This diversity helps us as our environments and resources change. So for example, walking outside only works if you're in a climate with good weather. Dr. Melissa Read