Sounds like you are moving in the right direction Marvin. You won't always be perfect and sometimes you won't get everything done... but your goals seem to be on the right track.
I usually work on tasks by urgency. I try to accomplish these tasks first in order to keep a time schedule and have tasks completed by the time they need to be wrapped up. I do find myself waiting until the last minute to do some of these tasks which places a strain and some stress onto the goal at hand. I have been trying to keep a more tedious schedule of tasks to finish along with due dates, so that I stop waiting to finish a task that day of the deadline.
I try to accomplish urgent tasks first but sometimes I find that these tasks are slowly sought after and accomplished. Those large tasks that are important tend to fall by the sidelines until that sense of urgency kicks in and I have to accomplish them immediately. This makes for poor time management on my part and I do find myself procrastinating in areas that are more time consuming.
I like the way the module talks about and describes how to sub-prioritize those tasks under each task heading. I am notorious for throwing everything into one task pile and hit and missing tasks without placing a sense of priority upon each individual task. I hope to start prioritizing my time and tasks more, becoming more effecient with time and completing tasks before they are almost due. Its nice to breath a little easier when important tasks are finished ahead of schedule.
not really, i usually dont have any problems with prioritizing tasks and getting them done.This comes from being a team leader in the military.
Momentum is key Sarah so I'm glad you mention it here. When we feel like we are making progress it's actually easier to make more progress in the future.
Both approaches work Charlotte but I'm glad to hear you're moving to the latter. Sometimes it's nice as a confidence builder to complete short tasks first though. Crossing tasks off your list really can feel good.
Glad to hear that you are evolving in the right direction Eddie. I know that overcoming the obstacle of procrastination can take diligence, but it sounds like you are getting there.
Good to hear Fredrick! Keep it up.
I try to keep a good to-do list as well. I try to keep on task as much as possible.
I feel like I already exhibit certain portions of this quality and I try to accomplish the most important things first and work back through my list...Usually starting with the things that affect my stress level in a negative way first. I used to be horrible at procrastinating but I have been working dilligently to overcome this defect.
I'm a list maker and make to do lists regularly for home, work, and the classroom. I find this an excellent way to prioritize work. Still there are times when the work/questions are coming at such a pace that it is impossible finish them all! I believe this is where the lesson is saying we need to take more "control" of our schedules. That is salient advice....I'll try it!
I have always created to-do lists. In the past, I would complete the tasks from easiest and shortest (so I could cross off more items :)) to most time consuming. I now have learned that I need to complete the most urgent task first.
When I consider my list of things to do, I usually tend to complete the tasks that are most important and urgent first. However, as the module brought to light, I sometimes do select items to accomplish first which can be completed easily and quickly. This usually helps me to get started on the other tasks, because I get an immediate sense of accomplishment in knowing that I was able to cross something off the list. This gives me the momentum to move on to other tasks that may not be as attractive, or that may take longer.
Consistency is the key Karen but we are all human. Some days we are going to be more organized than others. It's just life and we've got to set reasonable expectations for ourselves.
I kinda of go in spurts! Somedays I am very organized - esp. for class. Other times not so much -I work better when my desk is clean. This course helped me to realize how easy it is to get organized every day
I usually prioritize by using the same method of most important, i.e. A,B,C, but still struggle with revisiting my list. Need to do this more
Sounds like you've developed a system that works well for you. Great work Janet and keep it up!
It's a real balancing act Aaron but you'll get there. Can be tough - particularly with instructors who like to get everything done right away - to pull back a little. That being said, doing so is a healthy choice and will serve you well in the long run.
To be honest, I struggle with the obstacle of immediacy. I don’t like to leave work undone. If there is work to do, I will do it – until completed. I’ve always taken pride in my work ethic.
However, just because I don’t like to leave work unfinished doesn’t mean that I don’t know how to set priorities based on urgency and importance.
When I make my “to do†lists – cell phone calendars and not functions are great for these lists – I make sure to include dates, time estimates, resource demands, and projected outcomes. My lists help me to see a long term plan for my work, life, and play.
I’ve been trying to train myself to avoid the obstacle of immediacy by procrastinating (a little). I know that I will have to grade papers, but I don’t have to grade them the minute I get them from students. Thus, I have tied to put off grading latter – just so I can feel (see) that the paper will still get graded and on time.
Yet, I’m still a work in progress.
I continuosly change the order of my tasks based upon how important each one is. I never procrastinate & am usually accomplishing all tasks ahead of time, therefore leaving me a cushion of time should an emergency, as I perceive it, comes up.
