Everytime I leave my office to make a copy or deliver something to another department I get stopped by other staff members, and students to socialize or for other school matters. This in turn takes me away from the task I was attempting to complete.
Although not really an issue during the school day, playing games on the computer has often been a time-waster while trying to do some tasks at home. I've learned to set time or score limits. This way I still get the mental break from the work, but don't spend such extended periods of time being unproductive.
Yasmine,
Nice post. Thanks. Developing disciplined prioritizing seems to be a common theme expressed by those who take this course. Good luck.
Jeffrey Schillinger
A time-waster that I need to personally overcome is learning how to focus on one project at a time. There’s an innate part of me that thrives on multi-tasking. At times I feel that if I’m not multi-tasking then I’m wasting time. However after going through the lessons in this course I’ve realized that I’m wasting valuable time by multi-tasking “too†much and focusing on too many projects at one time.
After careful thought I’ve learned that when I focus on too many projects at one time, it usually takes me longer to complete my tasks. Afterwards I’m left wondering, “Where did the time go?!†I need to adjust my work pattern and not fall into the habit of thinking that if I do several things at one time then I can finish my tasks in less time. Going forward I’m going to establish more discipline in prioritizing my projects and learn to complete only what is absolutely necessary in sequence.
Well, my goal is still to write out my tasks, but to prioritize them in the order of their importance. Then I can set timeframes to thoses task. I just have to stay focused and I believe that the tools I've learned will help me out a lot.
Chanelle,
Thanks for sharing this post. What are some things you may now do differently to better manage your time?
I waste time because I do not properly prepare myself in advance and I allow distractions to take my focus off. Although I do make a task list, however, I do not prioritize it. Therefore, I am just trying to get the task completed in whatever timeframe that is available.
Mr.Pino,
For My Students:
Lack of Skill – Attempting to do things where we lack the skill or knowledge is a huge waste of time. This isn’t to say that it is bad to try to learn new things, but attempting to change the plumbing in your basement without spending the proper amount of time investing in your own education about the process is a recipe for disaster. There are some times where doing it yourself can be the most expensive option in terms of time and money.
My office is located in a major corridor in the school where I am employed. Being a former instructor, I have former students of my classes stop by several times a day to say hello and chat. I enjoy the conversations but it takes it tool on my abilities to complete my work. My solution is this: I keep my door open during break times so I am accessible to the students to address their issues. When break is completed, I shut the office door and continue with my work. I have decreased my interuptions by at least 75%.
David,
Email presents a challenge to a lot of people who have taken this course. We leave it open all day and then try to respond immediately when we get something. While to person we are responding to may be pleased, we may be reducing our productivity as we stop and start tasks.
I have found that I have to turn Outlook off while I am working on something else. I check it every 90 minutes or so.
Youmay have to train those that work with you that just because they sent it a few minutes ago, you may not have read it yet. I often get questions like "Did you read my email?" when I am eating lunch and when I ask when they sent it, it is often five minutes ago.
I check email several times in one day. This would better done at certain times of the day. I could check it 3 or 4 times a day and that would be sufficient.
it all starts with work ethic
Robert,
You should be proud that you have built this kind of relationship with your students. It would be worse if they were run ning for the door.
It might be worth picking at day or two each week that you can meet with them before class or after class.
I seem to have a problem with getting some of my students to leave at the end of the day. Several will hang around and talk about various things or ask for advice on things often not even related to the course subject matter. Though I am flattered by their confidence in my opinions, I still have a lot of work to complete and am required to leave the building by a certain time each day. I feel as though I am letting them down to ask them to leave but sometimes I just have no choice in the matter.
Thomas,
Because he is your boss, you are in a tough spot. I think the two ways you handled it are good strategies. Hopefully, he will take the hint.
I had a boss like this (that likes to hang out and tell stories about their past work experiences).
He was very fascinating and I would love to have spent more time listening and even asking questions about his experiences, but my workload was quite overwhelming and I could not delegate certain management tasks to the two instructors who reported to me at the time.
On several occasion I was feverishly working on emails or projects and he will still come in start asking questions (which will end up in a story about a similar situation or sometimes a complete tangent). One time I kept typing and making eye contact to acknowledge that I was listening and answered his questions when prompted, but it still felt as if I was being rude by not giving him my undivided attention. Another time I explained to him that I had a looming deadline but he just seemed frustrated that I interrupted his story and continued on.
Is there some way to handle this situation if I ever come across it again?
Thanks, Cherry.
How do you politely "escape" from the office small talk when you realize it is keeping you from doing what you need to do?
My time waster is getting sidetracked by small talk or chit-chat.. I have to remind myself to keep it short and get back to my task.
A personal time waster is sleeping in the afternoons and taking mid day naps. In my early 20's I did this a lot and lost out on missed opportunities. By necessity this was cut out as I got a bit older, now I barely get 7-8 hours of normal sleep, I wish I had been stronger when I was younger!
Tina,
Learning to say "no" can be very difficult becasue we fee like we are letting folks down. It might be good to start with "not right now" or "maybe later whhen I can give it the attention it deserves."
