That's a great question Monty. To account for unexpected events, build buffers of time into your schedule. A 10% buffer usually works well for me but you'll have to experiment a little to find out what works best for you.
I agree, and I do things early when there is an event that I cannot control, i.e. a major holiday with family and friends, business travel, expectation of a major contract for my company, etc.
The issue here to mange time wisely.
But, how do I manage time with an unexpected event?
Yes, sometimes getting tasks out of the way early can save us from painful consequences later.
You are not alone Monty. This is the way many instructors approach task completion. Easy tasks are tempting to complete first and so we often do. They are great confidence builders but ultimately we've got to get to the stuff we don't like too.
I think I know why I procrastinate, it really depends on the task, if it is easy to do, I do it quickly. If it is something I don't like to do, I procrastinate, but eventually, finish it later rather than sooner.
i know exactly how you feel. and it can be difficult to get them motivated.when i am dealing with students(and the wife) i try torelate to them it is best to do it asap then you dont have to worry about it.
