Sounds like a great plan Gary!
I was not making an organized list or numbering the tasks to prioritize for importance and urgency. I will make this list and revise it weekly.
I think that there are two areas that I feel like I could improve on. I feel that in the area of control, I often feel that my time is not my own, that the situations brought about by the actions of others often dictates how I am reacting to the situations. I also feel like working on immeadiacy could help. I often feel like a situation right in front of me is the most important and must be dealt with now, and not put off till later. Obviously, if I rush headlong into a situation this could cause it to get completed, but maybe not as well as it should.
Yes, procrastination is tempting when we face time constraints. Powering through and making headway on important tasks is key, even when time is limited.
What I found is the creation of a list will help me the best. I tend to lose focus when I can't remember what had to be done & when I perceive a loss of control.
Most of the time i tend to procrastinate because of time constraints and other problems. i think that i need to accomplish the task in a timely manner.
This is a great strategy Gregory. I like the way it takes into account the things you know you struggle with.
The greatest obstacles to good time management for me are the "obstacle of control" and the "obstacle of immediacy". With all the demands of students, management, required technical and soft skill training, maintenance of training aids, meetings, setting up lab practicals and lab demos and completing required paper work it can start to feel like I do not have control over my time. I often find that not all of the necessary tasks to be an effective instructor can be accomplished in the prep time provided. So I have to re-prioritze constantly to get "urgent done".
I have found that developing lists and prioritizing items by task importance and urgency can help me to be a better time manager.
It is quite easy to get into a circle from which we can't get out. Taking control means focsing on what needs to be done and how it needs to be done. For example, are there tasks that can be delegated to someone else? Has this task or topic already been covered by someone else? Do we need to start everything from scratch? In other words, a little of reserach and communication with colleagues can provide a lot information and help taking control.
Actually I learn these techniques yeas ago when I traveled and taught classes in other cities. Today using these same techniques being covered allows me time to help students as needed or react to a managers percived emergency without stress or letting someone else think they control my day.
i havnt had any trouble with time management yet other in class going over the materials i am instructing my students on
planning and scheduleing is a must.you prioritize and you make it work if at all possible.If you miss the mark,you do your best to play catchup and things normally work out-- for me anyhow.
My major obstacles are my desire to do everything right away. I have written out a list and begin setting up what needs to be done in what order. This has allowed me to complete more and be more at ease.
Task delegation can help so much Douglas. Delegating to your students can be a great learning experience too!
Control of my time is made alot easier by having a to do list. In undercar I'm constantly getting student emergency repairs, usually tire repairs, but I delegate those to my class freeing up my time.
This is true John. Problems with immediacy often do cause instructors to work longer and make more mistakes. Handling priority tasks first is key.
For me the greatest obstacle to good time management is with immediacy. Trying to deal with everything all at once causes you to work longer and make mistakes. I find that not all immediacy is now and that it sometimes only immediacy is in the others minds. This would say that the other person may have pore time management and not you.
This is a challenge for many instructors William. Sometimes talking to upper level management and setting expectations can help.
Well at least you are focusing on the most important tasks first Steve. Many instructors are tempted to take care of easier, lower priority tasks right away - saving difficult tasks for later.
It's great to work ahead Dean. Wonderful to have flexibility when unexpected tasks arise.
