I am very good at organizing and defining my priorities. I always take care of urgent and important issues, and never procrastinate.
Sometimes, it becomes a cause of stress.
So, I found the info on coping mechanisms quite interesting.
Most of all, I think the obstacle of immediacy is the one I may need to focus on removing.
I will make sure not to struggle to handle everything on my "to do list", even things identified as "less urgent" .
This will REDUCE my stress greatly.
THIS IS THE BEST COURSE EVER! Very insightful!
Thank you!
Interesting. It almost appears as though you struggle with immediacy for one aspect of your life and procrastination for another.
i usually initiate such tasks.
probably not, however i will probably breakdown the larger tasks.
I tend to save the "big stuff" for when I get home and have more time to get it done in one shot. I think if I started the important items, even if I must continue them later, I might actually get them done. (I hate leaving things unfinished - if I forced myself to have unfinished things, I could use my OCD tendencies to drive me to get back to those things, which would, otherwise, drive me nuts until I got back to them).
I tend to put tasks off for another time. You would think that I would learn from previous hardships. In my defense, if someone needs me--a student, boss, my family--and they are in crisis--I am "Johnny" on-the-spot to help. But if the situation involves a "confrontation" I will put it off as long as I can.
In the past I have had problems with urgency -- I will slow down and prioritize now.
Wanda, it sounds like dance class would really work for you if it weren't for the distance. I might suggest buying a dance class DVD, moving a few couches and trying it at home every once in a while. You can invite a few friends too.
Dr. Melissa:
I like the idea of scheduling breaks and down time. One example for me is walking my dog in the morning which is great exercise and thinking time. I also find it hard to fit in my dance class on Sunday's probably because I have to commute 75 miles to get there though it is worth it. I am exploring joining a liturgal dance group at my church on Friday evenings only 30 miles away to manage this better.
I am in my second year of a doctorate program so time management and time for myself is key.
Wanda
Dr. Melissa:
I think in discovering that unique form of task management we must pay attention to the results that we are getting. Often we find something that works and reinvent the wheel or continue on the path of using something that is not working.
Wanda
You bring up a good point Wanda. The way we handle tasks in our careers outside of teaching may not work best in the career college context. Each context may require a unique form of task management.
Indeed. Just being able to see everything on paper can help remind you to complete those larger and more time consuming tasks.
Yes, I try to take care of the urgent items first. Making a priority list allows me to decide which task I can put off without comprimising.
I have to do lists daily and weekly. Its pretty simple, students come first.
It sounds like you are highly organized Joyce. This probably makes you effective at completing your tasks on time, but may make you feel a little rigid at times. Finding the right balance is key.
I definitely am guilty of doing the "fun" or easy tasks that I have on my list first and procrastinating the larger, harder more time consuming tasks. I think that a list will help greatly, it will help me see all the tasks that I have to accomplish and noting the ones that are most urgent or important will help me prioritize my tasks and help me get through them more quickly and efficiently.
Dr. Melissa:
I tend to accomplish the tasks that are most urgent right away. I have been programmed to be a firefighter. I think this comes from my previous career in acute health care in the 1990's. Now that I am aware of this, I plan to change my ways. I have to since I now realize that this is also key to accomplishing tasks and getting the best results. My stress level also depends on it.
Wanda
Joyce,
I too am hard on myself.I am working on not being a Type A, high stress personality after a hospitalization this summer. I have turned my daughters room into a retreat area after she relocated summer 2009.Thanks for sharing
Warm Regards,
Wanda
Ihave no difficulty completing tasks on time. I always establish a priority list and stick to it almost too much. There are times when an extra day would not make that much of a difference but I power through and always complete my list before I quit for the night. I need to relax more and be less rigid. I am much harder on myself than anyone else is and much harder than I am to anyone else. Flexibility needs to be my new motto.
I think you bring up a good point Wanda. Sometimes, the best technology isn't the best at keeping us organized. A standard desk calendar may work better than a PDA. It's all about figuring out what works best for you.
Jo,
I also have two adjunct teaching jobs on ground and online. I also tutor for two different organizations. I also have had problems frogeting to do something for one of my businesses. I am still searching for the best methods. I recently purchased a wall calendar and write everything on it regardless of the business which is the first thing I look at in the morning before going to my portable calendar or outlook, neither which have worked for me.
