So true Anthony. For students, they've often got to track school, work and home life tasks. This can be really though. Having a well organized system in place is critical to their success.
Indeed true Theodore! It's great to be able to review everything on our plate all at once. This gives us a high level view and helps us see the priorities easily.
Joan, It's important to do what works for you. If you've got a system in place that's already working great, keep it up!
I have always prioritized tasks by urgency and time that was allowed to complete them. This has worked well for me, I did learn more about myself that I am headed in the right direction but I will make time to complete the things that I also want to complete not just have to.
Based on what I have learned in this module, I don't think I will change my prioritization or my sense of urgency. What I WILL do is to set better boundaries. I am trying to do tasks that others can/should do. I need to be less of a perfectionist and if others do not complete the task, I cannot be the "rescuer".
From personal experience I have learned that using other peoples organization or "to-do" lists is about as odd as using THEIR packing list for a beach vacation. They might have some good insights into some common themes, but you need to work out the method/system that you are most comforatable with - and use it.
I am a great manager of time, I try to get everything done immediately so I do not stress over what is left over. I accomplish things early that are due later. The problem is that I take on too much and then get really stressed trying to spread myself too thin, I need to learn to not take on too many tasks at one time!
My problem is that the priorities seem to be constantly shifting. I am managing a new career and am also a caretaker. Many of my priorities are truly out of my control and they do change frequently.
Lately, my priority is to RETHINK my priorities. I am trying to reassess what is important (like taking care of myself first so I can assist others just like they suggest on the airplane when the oxygen masks come down). My priority is to STOP doing tasks and reassess. This is difficult to do since I am such a task oriented doer.
Being a non organized person naturally I find that if I do not manage my time well I fall behind too far to catch up and then spend time at home doing things I should do at work which puts stress on my home life. I stress to my students the importance of creating a system that works for them and sticking to it not just at school but for work as well to maximize their earnings potential.
I find that being a naturally unorganized person that I must work at time management and a system to control how I get things accomplished. I encourage my students to create a system for themselves that allows them to complete their work efficiently to allow enough time in case things go wrong. Not just in class but for work as well. Seems to work.
It's great to stay a few nights ahead Jong, really makes a difference if you can keep it up. It's also great to leverage materials you used in previous semesters when you get tenured enough.
I liked the idea of a "to do" lists. When I list tasks that have to be completed, I can review the list and determine the most important task to complete. Once the tasks are listed and in a form that can be reviewed, it is easy to prioritize the tasks. I can then start and complete the most important task first.
I work very hard at keeping my tasks in order. When it comes to the classroom I prepare the lesson plan a couple of nights before and try to make the labs as a real world environment. I teach IT courses and it is imperative to keep the topic fresh and currnet.
I usually choose to accomplish those types of tasks as soon as possible so I have time to react and adjust as necessary if something goes wrong or gets in the way of my success. It's a built in way to give myself a buffer zone since those are the the tasks I have deemed as being the most important to me.
I like to make a list and as topics are completed check them off the list.
Excellent to hear Craig. Go ahead and give this a try. It will do wonders for your planning.
Yes, it is indeed true that most of the time, tasks never go away Michael. However, some of us have found a way to occasionally delegate. This can be wonderful when you can make it happen.
I believe that we adjust our task priority out of desire and habit.
Managing our task priorities will help us.
The tasks never go away.
I use a daily planner as part of my class.
Students prepare a daily planner. It speaks to the need for professionals to learn to understand ask management.
I will look at the time frame and urgency of tasks, then plan accordingly.
Excellent! Sounds like a great plan Yingwei! Yes, a simple numbered list can do wonders for you in terms of the stress you experience. Go ahead and give it a try.
