Get Your Students Hired
I like to leave myself little notes on Posties. I will make a To Do List by writing down projects that I need to get done thoughout the day or week on Posties. I hang them on my desk and as I do them, I can peel them off and throw them away and it gives me a feeling of accomplishment. I feel this helps relieve some stress. It also gives me a reminder everytime I sit at my desk what still needs to be done.
Crystal, Interesting approach! Post it notes are great for urgent and highest priority tasks because you often can't miss them. I can see how a longer to do list can help keep track of the rest in a more organized fashion. This is a perfect example of how mixing and matching organizational methods is sometimes the best approach.
Dr. Melissa Read
I only use posties for the first task I need to complete when I get to the office and stick it on my computer. The remaining tasks I need to complete on written on my calendar as I don't leave the house without it.
I actually prefer to do my "to-do" list on my planner, this gives me the ability to make my weekly list and mark things off as I go. This also allows me to look back a few week and see why I am SO tired! It is as great feeling when you can through the post-it notes away but it is even better we you can look at your to-do list on Friday afternoon and see how accomplished you actually were.
Amanda, I like your approach and I can see how your "Jedi" trick could work well for many instructors in your situation! My favorite place to put a post it note is on my bathroom mirror. You really can't miss it first thing in the morning. Your contextual car key recommendation makes a lot of sense too. Nice!
Dr. Melissa Read
Me too! If I don't make myself a list or a reminder sticky note, then I feel very overwhelmed with all the things that I have to complete in a week's time. My favorite "Jedi" trick is to stick notes somewhere where I cannot ignore it. For example, to remind myself to pick up something on my way home, I put a sticky note on my purse or my car keys. Sometimes I even re-stick it on the dashboard in my car if it's been a particularly brain-draining day. Throwing the note away when the task is completed is a validation that I have accomplished something, no matter how insignificant it might seem to others.
Maryrose, Nice! So happy to hear you have developed a system that works for you. Some people view post-its as an old school method for task management. Others find that modern tools simply don't work as well. I have had instructors report to me that they love sticking post it notes on their bathroom mirrors so they can view their tasks first thing in the morning!
Dr. Melissa Read
I use posties all the time. Quite frankly, I would be lost without them. If I don't write it down I forget because so many other things seem to drop in my lap throughout the day. It's almost like a Jedi mind trick on myself. Each time I cross off an item as complete, I begain to feel relief wash over me. So if I don't write it down I slowly begin to feel overwhelmed.
Katherine, That's a common situation for instructors so I'm glad you asked. I recommend having one master list that you use to consolidate other lists onto. When you jot down notes during a call, transfer them to the master list when you can. If this proves to be too much work, choose a format for a master list that is a little more accessible. A note pad on a cell phone, for example, is typically with you often -- and that can be a good resource.
Dr. Melissa Read
I actually use both posties and a notebook. My problem is that I have items written down on too many pieces of paper and I need to figure out which direction I want to go. Too many times I receive a phone call and take notes on a small piece of paper and then spend too much time looking for where I put the paper... Is there a better process for taking notes from a phone call?
Letitia, So true. That's what's wonderful about post-its. I know a lot of instructors who put them on their bathroom mirrors as reminders for when they get up in the morning.
Dr. Melissa Read
In completing just the first part of this training, I have come to realize that YES, I have been putting my ToDo Lists on post it notes!! No wonder I have been unorganized lately. For myself, I have always had a To Do list. However, I used to make it out for a week at a time, in a notebook that was always easily accessible. I am going to start doing that again. Thank you for the "Posties" comment! Cm
Posties are great reminders. They can be moved from place to place and they are always eye catching.
Michelle, For some instructors, post it notes can feel overwhelming. This is especially true when they are not organized all in the same place. It sounds like your method of organization with the single 8X10 paper gets all of your ideas in one place. I can see why that would work well for you.
Dr. Melissa Read
I use to use post it notes but had so many I felt even more disorganized. At any given time I manage three classes and have a 8x10 piece of paper for each class and right out my to do list. I feel like I have much better control but I do like the comment about updating this list on a routine basis which I will now try.
Brian, Sounds like a great system and one that works perfect for you. Just goes to show you that you don't always need a high tech or fancy system. Sometimes the best approach is a simple one.
Dr. Melissa Read
I use posties as well. When the job is done I simply remove the post-it. Sometimes if as prioity changes it is easy to just switch the post-its around.
Mary Ellen, It's great to cross tasks off the list and we complete them. Gives us a sense of accomplishment and sense of progress too!
Dr. Melissa Read
I also do this all the time.Sometimes my postie's are one on top of another,making my list long.As they are accomplished I cross them off.This also helps in making my to do list for my next class.