There are times when I have in the past put things off or out of order as far as a priority is concerned and it does effect ones mood and stress level. This advice is good for not only work, but home or anywhere...it is important to list tasks to keep on track, get jobs done efficiently and reduce anxiety. I like the weekly list to keep focused....
I usually get the priotity tasks done first. Although distractors arise, it important to remain focus and allocate time to each task basded on urgency. I will not change much about how I function based on this lesson. I'm pretty good abour managing myself and subordinates with suspenses. Reason must prevale and truth does change. Therefore you must review and update as required.
I tend to put off important and urgent tasks when the deadline is not immediate. Tasks that are "Need right away", I do them as soon as I can. Others that are due by the end of the month, I wait until the last minute.
I'm going to start a list that I can use to set timely goals for finishing these tasks in a more timely manner. I will try putting them on a calendar with start and finish dates. Maybe this will help me to not procrastinate.
Words to live by Edward. Really like that saying.
I usually prioritize my tasks in order of urgency. I find that this has always worked best for me. Plan your day and work your plan.
Good for you Stephen! It's so important to teach students good time management skills. We are especially effective if our students can model after our good behavior.
Task prioritization was nothing new for me.This is a way of life in the field.I needed to do this on a hourly basis. This is something I try to pass on to my students.
I will change the order to that I do them, I am guilty of doing all the easy/ less important tasks first, because I feel more productive if I can cross things off my list, but in turn I'm still procrastinating on the harder or more involved task which is usually the most important
Glad to hear it James. Sounds like you've had enough time to develop systems and an approach that work for you. Now might be a good time to share some of that with your junior level colleagues. They could really benefit.
Yes! Leading by example is so important Jay. Sometimes telling our students how to effectively manage their time and stress is not enough. Sometimes we have to show them so they can have an example to model after.
Everyone has a schedule to keep. Its more important to keep a good schedule in class. Stay on time everyday! Lead by example!
Hi Melissa, I've been in my field approx.
36 years, and 6 years or so of it I've been
instructing. I have things pretty much in
order. However, thank you for asking.
Yes, a little investment up front can dramatically change what happens in the long term.
Absolutely. Prioritizing is all part of the concept. A little bit of discipline up front will make a big difference.
Task delegation is so important Nancy. It's so much easier to get things accomplished when we can lean on others. Identifying the best delegates early is the key.
I always write a to-do list. Then if I find myself running out of time, I need to regroup and prioritize. What needs to get done today and what can wait for tomorrow. Also, who can I delegate a task to. I have learned to delegate and not try to do everything myself.
All good points Teri. Yes, starting by emptying your mind by putting tasks on paper is a good first step.
Our previous career is known for deadlines. In fact the business rises or falls based up the successful execution of product development following a time line. This is how we have operated. What must be accomplished by what date? What are the consequences if the deadline is not met? What are the priorities? What are the costs? How important to sleeping at night is the completion of the task?
One has never used a to do list for tasks but would create lists for groupings, concepts, colors, any thing related to completing the development of product.
We have discovered time management is the biggest issue most students encounter in balancing classes and life. On day-one students are provided with a Course Timeline stating deadlines for homework and project assignments broken down for each class. One and two-week reminders are included for projects.
Perhaps one might begin to use written lists as suggested in this course to “empty them from your mind.†Answering this forum question was part of the mental “to do list†which can now scratched off. Today we will begin the written TDL. We will discover how successful the TDL is in balancing two jobs, life and will provide insight of organization techniques to share with students.
It sounds like you have a good understanding of yourself and what you can do in the future to be more productive. Do try to restructure your prioritization of tasks where possible but do be reasonable with yourself as well - especially in the role of therapist as crises will continue to arise daily.
I generally try to prioritize my tasks by urgency and I attempt to address the most urgent matters first. I have learned that putting off an urgent matter often leads to a crisis situation, especially in my full-time line of work. I tend to procrastinate on tasks that are more mundane and that hold little intellectual stimulation. When I know that I do not have any urgent matters pending, I will sometimes seek to complete mundane tasks first in order to "get them over with" and avoid having to do them later.
When I was in graduate school, I found that I would often procrastinate when tasked with writing a big paper. I would wait until the last possible minute, then work late into the night to complete it. I always got them done, but I know that I was adding unnecessary stress to my life by procrastinating.
I will consider re-structuring my prioritization of tasks, but I know that I will always have to defer certain tasks in the face of crises that arise on a daily basis (I am a full-time therapist and part-time instructor).
