Taking Control
After reflecting on the section titled "Taking Control of Your Timeâ€. What major obstacles to your time management did you identify and what will you do to improve your ability to take back control.
Hi Clive,
I hear you clearly about the "to do" list. Without it I would miss many things and not appear organized to my students.
Gary
Making and developing a to do list and prioritizing the task items by there importance and urgency is essential to me taking control of my time.
It's great to hear that you work ahead a little when you can Michael. I actually do the same. For me, it tends to free up time longer term.
I try to write down all my tasks that i know have to get done that day.I also keep a list of the ones for the week.When my tasks list for the day is done, I work on the weeks tasks.
I have the same outlook as Terry, get it done now as they come up. The longer I have to think about what tasks I have to do, the more I stress!
It took me several years to figure out the "don't sweat the small stuff" mentality. After I adopted that, my life got so much easier. Prioritize when needed and take care of small things as they come. I always try and remember, if this one thing gets done tomorrow instead of today the world will not end!
When it comes to completing online training that requires answering a question in a forum the obstacle of procrastination always rears its ugly head. The completion due date is known when we start the training and I get the training done way before the completion due date but the forum questions that are required to be posted I can’t get motivated to write till the last week before the due date. Until the assignment meets a want or a need I put it off. I have never been this way until I had a stroke and survived and return to work. My philosophy today is that every thing will get done in due time and don’t stress over it. Life is too short.
I really need to try and prioritize tasks. I usually take on tasks as needed and complete them when needed. I will now sit down and make out a list of different obstacles to overcome. With that I will be able to make better use of my time along with controlling it.
Yes, these are all great ways to overcome this perception Leonardo.
The only time I have trouble with time is when I am doubling. Keeping prioritized lists becomes even more critical. If the prioritization works I will sometimes like to get the small quick jobs done. Other times I will want to get the more difficult task done first. I tend to go with how I feel and it really helps with not getting stressed
I think the major obstacle I have in time management is the perception that other people have control over my time. I think making my list, and setting my own deadlines by urgency and priority well help me overcome this time management obstacle.
I already pretty much prioritize my tasks, so I find if I don't have time to do the task it will have to wait for another time,and that's O.K. because then it moves to the top of the list.
Sounds like you have a great system already in place Bill. I especially like the part about your coming in early. This can be a great way to start the day on track.
jim perry i need a to do list and to get a priority from the job requester
jim perry i think i need to start a todo list so that i can get the priority of the job that needs to be done.i find that you can get way behind in all of my work.
jim perry;i find my self trying to take care of every task as soon as i get it. i always try to keep every one happy and moving forward some times forgetting about there priority.
im pretty good about time management. i priorize tasks to be done by date to be complete and importance. i alwas come in early and most of my prep and work is done early because im a early bird person. i dont let time beat me.
Sounds like you have a great outlook and great ability to take control Bob. I'd love to know if you have any tips on what makes you feel this way.
I know what needs to be done, I have always been a get it done now person. When something does come at you out of left field , it is no big deal.
