Hello Dr. Read,
I complete urgent tasks in a timely manner. I do a good job of completing important tasks on time and meeting deadlines.
Given what I have learned in this module, I believe that I will give some more consideration to the order in which I accomplish important and urgent tasks in the future. I am one who is constantly in a state of multitasking. I am thinking of my to-do's for the future while working on a given task. I use many of the tools and techniques that have been discussed. I am a huge to-do list utilizer. I write my tasks down so that I do not forget them. In addition, I have a calendar posted with important deadlines that I need to keep track of. One challenge that I have found for myself is that of maintaining only one to-do list. Because I find it helpful to write my to-dos down, there are times when I am away from the "master to-do list" and start a second or third to-do list. As you may imagine, this poses its challenges when I would like to prioritize the various to-dos. By taking some time at the end of the day to organize my to-dos or work space, I should be able to eliminate the challenges from a couple of to-do lists. I have also found it helpful in my own household to spend about an hour in the morning (before everyone in the household is awake) to review my to-do lists. It is also helpful if there are calls that I need to make during business hours if I have written down the phone numbers as part of my planning for the day. This eliminates me needing to search for phone numbers once the household is awake. It always seems to take more time to do this simple type of task once the activity in the household has begun.
By addressing the most important and urgent tasks sooner rather than later, this will eliminate the constant thoughts that I have in order to meet the deadlines of these tasks. This should also help to reduce any stressors related to the tasks. Once an item is designated as a very important task, I will be sure to come up with a plan of action for completing that particular task. This may mean that I need to break the task down into smaller tasks to be completed not all at one time.
I tend to do the important tasks first, but I think I have a tendency to rush things a bit too much at times.
I think I like to procrastonate my prioritized list. I do know what needs to be done and what is most important, but with so much to so ...
I liked the module and will work on this. My goals are to complete my to-do list and then to prioritize the tasks (on paper not just in my head) and then to re-evaluate the list periodically.
Melissa, I think the major problem of trying to put a ranking on task that have a priority over another is all the time demands that we face everyday from work and our families. I think we need to find a balance of importance of our tasks and maybe sometimes throw in a task that maybe does not have to be done immediately so that we can feel a sense of accomplishment so that we can stay focused and have a sense of accomplishment. Just my thoughts!
James Libell
I have an online planner that I use to prioritize a list of my daily tasks. The one thing that I really need to do is to read it before I leave the house each morning. I can print out a copy for each day, but sometimes I forget to do it. I plan to do it the night before and to put a copy of in my purse before leaving home.
Jo,
I can relate to your lack of time for writing things down. It is almost like adding something else to do to your already busy schedule!
Mary,
I have also been using "to do list" for a long time. It has not been until recently that I have really started to prioritize. It can be frustrating when you update your list and you still have the same thing on your list week after week. I notice this more at my full time job where we have been short staffed and it seems that you are only able to scratch the surface of the "to do list".
Mary,
I have also been using "to do list" for a long time. It has not been until recently that I have really started to prioritize. It can be frustrating when you update your list and you still have the same thing on your list week after week. I notice this more at my full time job where we have been short staffed and it seems that you are only able to scratch the surface of the "to do list".
I feel that when I do my "to do list" I tend to try to complete the easy items first. I will also look at the urgency of the item, but if given some time on an item I will do other items first so I feel that I have accomplished more. This does tend to leave somethings being completed at the last minute which labels me as a "procrastinator". I think if I would divided these up into smaller parts then I would not have the overwhelming feeling and get to them sooner.
Think about the tasks that are most important and urgent for you to complete.
Do you usually choose to accomplish these tasks right away or do you tend to put these tasks off for another time?
FOR ME IT DEPENDS ON THE IMMEDIACY OF THE TASK. AS AN ADMINISTRATOR, I HAVE LEARNED THE DELICATE ART OF DELEGATION. I HAVE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION OF DO I NEED TO COMPLETE THIS MYSELF OR DO I NEED TO HAND THIS OFF TO SOMEONE ELSE.
Based on what you have learned in this module about task prioritization, will you change the order in which you accomplish important and urgent tasks in the future?
THIS WAS A GOOD REFRESHER. I HAVE A SYSTEM THAT WORKS. I AM, HOWEVER, ALWAYS OPEN TO NEW PARADIGMS ABOUT WAYS TO IMPROVE. CURRENTLY, MY SYSTEM WORKS FOR ME AND HAS FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS. SO, AS MY GRANDMOTHER USE TO SAY, "IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT".
Interesting Cathleen, Most people have the opposite problem. I recommend pushing back on the amount of tasks you take on in your personal life. I also recommend setting expectations on the amount of time it will take personal tasks, and adding in a buffer to your expected time lines.
Daryl, it sounds like you are doing things right! Did you come to this process naturally, or did you read anything that helped you?
Melissa, I agree! But, sometimes I need to thnk more clearly about priorities. I guess that is where more forethought is needed.
Did you assign priority and urgency to your tasks? If you did, then as long as you have accomplished those tasks that HAVE to be done today, you should feel like you have achieved your goal. Instead of assigning a number to those items to establish importance, perhaps you could say "What has to be done today, tomorrow, or the next day."
Mary, I have the same problem. I plan too much. Hence, I disappoint myself. What suggestions do you have for us to correct this?
Melissa, you made a great point. I read that instead of crossing off things and leaving a list of things that haven't been done....that you make a list everyday of things you accomplished. Of course, I am too tired by the end of the day to do that!
David, after living with a procrastinator, I find it to be much worse that having the sin of immediacy! Do you find that you have a knee jerk reaction or do you automatically prioritize?
I am very good at prioritizing. I have a different problem. I take on too much. I am very organized, but have not quite realized thtat there are only 24 hours in a day. Do you have any suggestions on how I can not be so overwhelmed? I am not overwhelmed in my professional life. I handle shcool very well. Work is a refuge. It's all the other areas, such as remodeling, errands, dealings with life in general (health insurance, business), etc. that get to me.
I am very discipline in my approach to tasks. I prioritise my activities and based on the urgency of time/due date, I complete those tasks first.
I do not like to sit on task. For some, I take a little time to better understand them and come up with the best way to complete them.
I am pretty much satisfied with the way I complete tasks which closely track the suggestions covered in this module.
