Indeed. Setting reasonable expectations for yourself and others on timing can significantly reduce stress.
I believe in task prioritization. It keeps me focused and stress level down.
I think its important not only to prioritize your to do list but also put a reasonable timeline. This will keep you from having to do everything at once.
I see for me the obstacle of immediacy! I agree that with the problems that comes with this....longer hours, mistakes and one starts to work slower. I always have a to do list, but I normally do not prioritize it and this will be my is my next step.
Great question Lawrence! Most people have the opposite problem. I would recommend getting all of your tasks on that list, including the ones of lesser importance. This way, you'll be able to make better choices on prioritization by seeing everything all at once.
Based on what I have learned in this module I will be more disciplined in regularly creating and updating to-do lists. I have a tendency to do them mentally and on very busy days or when something unexpected pops up, I get nervous about possibly forgeting something. Prioritizing will be moved to the forefront as well.
I have gotten into the practice in doing lists which does help me priortize my day, but with lesser tasks of importance I end up procrastating. Any advice would help.
For those tasks that are truly critical in timing, I will focus on them first. For tasks that are perhaps more important, but I have a extended time to complete them, I work best by accomplishing them in incremental steps and evaluating my completion as I go along until all of the task has been completed. John Eliassen
on some tasks a little adjustment may be helpful in the future.
While making a task list for the particular day, I will list each task under the co-worker I have to get back with. As I pass their area/office/classroom I can maximize my time.
It sounds like you have a good system for staying organized Don. Note that everyone is guilty of a little procrastination every once in a while.
that is a good idea -- i will make that adjustment down the road
of course there is always the one off students
thanks for the info.
L
Probably not. I do try to prioritize and get the most urgent tasks accomplished first. I am also comfortable leaving some tasks for another day as more pressing matters come up. I may be guilty of a little procrastination.
Yes, there are some students who will require a great deal of our time during our office hours. At the beginning of each semester, it's hard to know which students will need us the most. But adding in a buffer to our schedules to account for these students can really help.
I tend to prioritize already. I take care of things at hand that need attention. Others I will set aside until I am available to complete. I won't let anything go over for the next day.
I would say YES, it is as if I already knew this but it always helps to see it in writing. I found the biggest unknown is the amount of time students may take up during you class / office time. The best intention can be blow out of the water with a single visit from a student
Down days are great Peggy, even if retirement is a long way off. You will be surprised at how energized you feel after a down day, and how much more effective you are when you start working again.
I am a huge list maker but don't often prioritize my lists. I attack them in no particular order and generally get them all completed in the time allotted. I learned a lot in this program because now I think I will start making certain tasks a priority. I want to see if I can be more resourceful through the day with this idea. It makes sense that this will reduce stress because the most important tasks will be finished. With our busy lives, many people including myself don'l allow ourselves a " down" day where we do exactly what we want for ourselves, even if it is a reading a book. Maybe closer to retirement that will be one of my priorities!
I don’t think I need to change much; I reprioritize my list every day cross things off and move others around
Yes, learning to accept that it's ok to put off non urgent tasks is a giant step in the right direction Tina.
