I am pretty good at prioritizing and getting things done. I like to use my Outlook calendar to schedule time for pressing items such as,correcting papers, doing my Max Knowledge courses, etc... Then I fill in the additional time with exercise and time with family and friends. Yet, I still am able to move around my pressing items to later in the day if needed or later in the week, but they always are on the calendar so that they get done. Honestly, this course just confirmed for me that I have my priorities in the correct order.
I find "to do lists" very important...Teaching is a part time job for me in the evenings. I have a full time job during the day and family responsibilities at home...Lists keep me on task and as I check things off I feel a sense of accomplishment and not so overwhelmed.
Yes, I will change my prioritization in order of accomplishing the important task prior to urgent tasks.
Unfortunately I tend to be more crisis oriented, dealing with the fire burning most brightly. I can see from the materials that organization and planning would greatly reduce my daily stress loads.
I really needed this cousre, I have a tendency to get to work on things to fast instead of doing them a little at a time. Based on what I have learned once I have made my to do list I will start to prioritize it a lot more often. I am always allowing others to dictate my time instead of managering it myself. But not after this lesson, I will get back the control.
John, So true! Assessing level of urgency can be really tough, especially when everyone thinks their task is the highest priority. Not every task is in fact red hot, though sometimes you might be the only one who sees it that way!
Dr. Melissa Read
Shannon, You bring up an important point. Some people like to separate work and personal tasks into two lists. Others feel more productive when they can see both lists at once. In the end, it comes down to what you feel most comfortable with and what works best for you.
Dr. Melissa Read
Ronda, I am glad you are getting so much out of this class. I should note that it’s ok to accomplish a few easy tasks before moving on to the more complex ones. Easy tasks can be great confidence builders, we just can’t fill our entire queue with them all the time.
Dr. Melissa Read
Hi Dr. Read,
I tend to make a "to do" list daily for things I need to accomplish while in class teaching and things I need to accomplish at home after I leave work. I find "to do" lists extremely helpful because then I have an idea of what needs done and can budget my time accordingly. For the most part, my "to do" lists are accomplished each day unless something on that list will take more than one day to complete. I am the type of person to remain as organized as possible each day, especially when balancing work responsibilities and home life with upkeep and children.
I usually do these tasks right away. I change as the priority changes.
I'm loving this course because it pegs me between my eyes. My perfectionism causes me to fall into immediacy, urgency, which then translates to all-nighters, fatique, then sickness. I do make To Do lists but I was taught to do the quick and easy things first in order to feel sucessful and to mark out the majority off the list before attempting the larger tasks. Priority rather than size.
I "try" to accomplish the important tasks first. Those are the tasks that I feel will have the greatest negative consequences if not accomplished, or not accomplished in a timely manner. Sometimes however, I need information or an item from someone else to accomplish a particular task. Even if that task is a high priority I may move on to another task if I don't have all that I need to accomplish it.
Based on my job and what we have to do, we are given a list of daily task and which ones is priority to be accomplished for the day. However, I always look to see what task really do need to be finished first before every starting on any other task. Always make the boss happy if he says your priority is this task then it is that task. If he does not point out your priority for you then look at when they are due so that you can manage your priority on the task.
George, Like it or not, many of us find ourselves in a similar position. It can be tempting to complete easy tasks first. Problem is, there are so many easy tasks that fill our queues that it's hard to get to the more complex stuff. Some of us break complex tasks down into smaller parts and that can help.
Dr. Melissa Read
In the past, I had a huge problem with procrastination. Unfortunately the more responsibilities that I aquired, the more stressed I became. Forcing myself to write to-do-lists with deadlines definitely helped, especially since the older I became, the more my memory went. I even tried to get my mother to do the same and break her habit, of which was my influence. Unfortunately she would never remember where she put the list. Oh well.
I do make a to do list each week but I'm bad about doing those that can be completed quickly or easily. This tends to make me put off the longer harder task and ultimately finding I'm rushed to get the job done at a later time. I know and understand the concept of prioritizing my to do list and need to try some of the techniques taught in this section.
I have a 1 -4 approach with 4 being the most urgent and an update when things change or one or more tasks are completed.
Tracy, If you have the luxury to save things until the next day, then you are in a great position. If ever you find that your queue picks up, you may have to take a more structured approach. For now, perhaps you should simply enjoy the flexibility!
Dr. Melissa Read
Carol, I am glad you see the importance of prioritization. Your current method sounds a bit stressful, though I'm glad to hear you are able to get everything done. With a little prioritization, you'll probably end up with the same results at the end of the day but your experience getting there will be better.
Dr. Melissa Read
Joseph, Nice! Thanks for sharing. Regardless of whether or not we are in the medical field, that saying certainly applies!
Dr. Melissa Read
