i'm not a list-maker but i need to become one. i learned a lot from this course. i plan to use several of the ideas at my own career college.
I do not like to put things off. I like to keep my list empty....I will start writing a list more. I have a calander that I write everything on.
P O'Dwyer
I like to keep my list flexable. Where I work things change very fast which means the items on the list change. I like to have my list completed by the end of the week and start a new one every monday. P O'Dwyer
Usually I make a "to do" list and then prioritize tasks that are urgent and important,leaving non-urgent ones for later.
However, sometimes less important and simple tasks are taken care of first, which reduces the number of items on the list and makes me feel that I have less to do.
William, Thanks for sharing. You are unique in that most instructors tend to chip away at easier tasks first, putting off harder tasks for later. Instructors who take this opposite approach often wish they could be more like you.
Dr. Melissa Read
I have been teaching for several years now so I have a rhythm to my work. All of my grading which I feel is the most critical tot he student is completed by the next class session.
My administrative items is where I have the most challenging of times. I understand the need for it but I feel at times that it pulls me away from the students.
I tend to have a running list of items to complete but I do not rewrite them I just cross them off. I will try the rewriting of them next term.
I tend to view tasks in terms of degree of difficulty. I put off easier tasks until the last minute and attend to the more difficult tasks sooner. I liked the idea of setting limits on tasks of low importance and prioritizing tasks of high importance. I might be willing to try that technique.
Richard, Yes, it sounds like having a reoccurring note would be perfect for you. Why write down tasks repeatedly when you know the will reoccur? The recurring note will make your list making a little simpler.
Dr. Melissa Read
William, People who struggle with immediacy are often highly regarded by others for being so on top of things. So they are reinforced positively. However, they can live very stressful lives. It is often a healthier approach and far less stressful day to day for them to make lists and chip away at priority tasks first.
Dr. Melissa Read
Tierany, It sounds like you have a great system in place, and one that is working well for you. If you feel it's optimal in meeting your needs, keep it up!
Dr. Melissa Read
I often choose to complete tasks right away. Procrastination is terrible for me - though I do realize after reading this that this may not always be the best choice - and I do tend to feel rushed thanks to always wanting 'immediacy' from my tasks. I can see how this instant-reply mentality can also affect how I see others who don't have it.
Creating a priority list or a well-defined schedule that allows a certain flexibility will definitely help this and be something I implement in my own instruction!
Differentiating between truly important tasks and truly urgent tasks requires an honest perspective of the tasks and discipline. It's easy to say "they're all important", but are they really? It's possible they are so then they must be prioritized by urgency . Some tasks are urgent by virtue of the situation but may not necessarily be important. Careful consideration must be made in order to not bury yourself in the mindset that everything is important.
I find it helpful to create a daily To Do List and as I go through out my day, I will check off things that I have done, I may even add things that I would like to do, however I will put them in the list where they fit, in accordance to their importance. Things that I do not get to complete, I will put on the top of the list for the following day.
I struggle with procrastination. I work better under pressure and so produce some of my best work int he moment. However, I know this is not a good thing and I work to get myself out of this habit. I used to be an immediate person and do everything with zeal immediately. After I left the military I began to acclimate to the civilian world and "chill out" so to speak. However, as I have gotten older I want to enjoy life so I push things off for other enjoyments....and pay for it later.
I have a weekly do do list that has some of the same tasks on it week to week. At the beginning of each week I will add in new tasks and prioritize appropriately. After going through this course I will also work the reoccurring note as to not end up with and intimidating task list that has potential to make me feel overwhelmed.
I have a weekly do do list that has some of the same tasks on it week to week. At the beginning of each week I will add in new tasks and prioritize appropriately. After going through this course I will also work the reoccurring note as to not end up with and intimidating task list that has potential to make me feel overwhelmed.
Ida, I agree. I used to have problems sleeping at night because I had so much on my mind to remember to do the next day. A few years ago, I started writing a "to do" list on a post-it before I go to bed. When I woke up in the morning, I would review the items on the list and prioritize them while I drank my coffee. The benefits were amazing! Firstly, I could get a good night's sleep because I did not have to worry about forgeting a task. Secondly, in the morning I felt energized and ready to prioritize and accomplish!
Sometimes it is hard to assign priority numbers to task. It was helpful to think about the consequences of not doing a certain task. That assist in assigning priority numbers.
Biftu, Regular updates to your to do list can help, particularly when you have a lot of tasks coming into your queue all at once. It seems that the frequency of tasks coming into the queue often drives how frequently we need to make list updates.
Dr. Melissa Read
Megan, Sounds like a simple and yet powerful step in the right direction. Numbering absolutely helps us establish our priorities and see them clearly.
Dr. Melissa Read
