I know that I am notorious for being a procrastinator. After going over the info in this module, I realize that I have to change that, not just for the school, but in other areas of my life as well.
Earnest, It sounds like you've got a great system in place for managing your tasks. I can understand what you mean about occasionally ending up with too many tasks on your plate. This happens a lot to people who are as organized as you, because others trust you to get the job done! While that's a compliment, it's ok to push back every now and then and take some time for you.
Dr. Melissa Read
Daniel, So true. When we get our tasks down on paper, we get them out of our minds. This can work wonders when it comes to making us feel less stressed and helping us remember to accomplish everything on our plates.
Dr. Melissa Read
Gregory, It sounds like you have a great handle on your current approach - strengths as well as opportunities. It also sounds like you know exactly what you need to do next to improve. Sounds like you are in a great place. Now it's time to make your new happen! To get there, you can start small and work your way up.
Dr. Melissa Read
Glenn, Sounds like you have a great approach. I am curious to hear about whether you ever struggle with immediacy issues. Sometimes, people who accomplish tasks right away have challenges with letting go and enjoying a little.
Dr. Melissa Read
Tom, The length of time it takes to complete tasks is definitely something to consider. However, there are other considerations as well, including task priority.
Dr. Melissa Read
I take care of tasks as they develop. If I have multiple tasks I prioritize and accomplish in order of priority.
I tend to first do the easy tasks that I can accomplish quickly; and tend to procrastinate doing the harder tasks. Also tend to accomplish more quickly those things that relate to others' expectations--what someone else wants me to do for them. To improve, I clearly need to prioritize. Breaking down large tasks into manageable steps will help. Do what's most important/urgent; without letting others control my priorities.
I like to list my tasks in order of difficulty and urgency. I complete the ones that are most difficult and most urgent first.
Doing this actually energizes me and promotes feelings of confidence and of being in control.
I am always focused on being in control of my situation to include my students and the material I am teaching.
This approach works well for me. Further, I do not consider myself a procrastinator. Rather, I like to face all tasks head-on and complete them quickly. I do have the problem of periodically becoming fatigued and possibly taking on too much at once.
I hope this information is helpful.
Earnest J. Kendall, MSN, RN-BC
I will definitely be taking a new look at how I prioritize the tasks I need to complete. I think what may be most difficult is trying to figure out how to prioritize tasks across multiple courses and fit in curriculum development.
Actually writing tasks down and prioritizing them periodically has really helped considerably. I always thought that I was doing a good job of managing my time but occasionally would miss a deadline or some task that was unimportant in the beginning but quickly became an urgent issue due to other items that I thought took precedence. Using this technique has not only helped keep me on track with the important tasks but clears up headspace for other matters.
I usually prioritize based on how long I have to get things done and when it is do. I have put of some things and then rushed to get them done. After doing this coures I will adust my order so it is more productive and less stressful.
Martha, It sounds like you know yourself well. Yes, procrastination can be challenging. However, the opposite of procrastination - immediacy - also presents an obstacle. Finding balance between completing things right away and waiting too long to complete them is the key.
Dr. Melissa Read
Donald, It sounds like you need to overcome the obstacle of procrastination. The good news is you know this is an area of opportunity for you. That's the first step towards better time management strategy.
Dr. Melissa Read
Myles, Sounds like an honest assessment. Sometimes consistency is our most helpful habit. Creating a plan and committing to it daily can get us far.
Dr. Melissa Read
My approach to task completion in the past has been at best hit and misses. I see how ideas presented in this lesson will be helpful. I can see how implementing some of these procedures will help relieve some stress of being a first time instructor as well as making me an affective educator.
Yes, I definitely change the order in which I complete the urgent tasks. Moreover, I would practice ways to discipline myself to complete those urgent tasks as soon as it becomes possible since it is in my nature to procrastinate and leave urgent projects for the last minute then rushing through and obtaining poor results because of it.
I have found that I put off the things that I don't like to do as long as I can. This section has shown me that by doing this I am not making the best of my avaliable time. I will try making a to do list and start working from that and see what happens.
Don
Qadar, Excellent to hear. It sounds like you are half way there with the list you make on a regular basis. The next step is all about leveraging that foundation and standing on it with prioritization. This is often the easy part.
Dr. Melissa Read
Kevin, Yes, having a prioritized list can help everything feel so much more manageable. The reality is that things do fall through the cracks when we use immediacy because there are often too many tasks to complete to process them all at once.
Dr. Melissa Read
