Morgan, Yes, procrastination that cause big challenges in life. It's a good idea to get on top of tasks, even when they are not our favorite. I recommend taking on one challenging task a day and then filling your queue with other fun tasks. This will make most of your day enjoyable but will also help you accomplish the important things.
Dr. Melissa Read
Casey, Different job responsibilities demand different approaches to prioritization. Sounds like your military role set you on a faster pace and that you have since slowed with the new demands of being an instructor. It's ok to make those kinds of changes. Often, the pace of our environment drives how fast we respond to it.
Dr. Melissa Read
Chuck, So glad to hear you got so much out of this section. It's easy to fall into a pattern of procrastination, and it can be a downward spiral once we do. Staying out of it and on track is the best approach, though not always possible with the complex demands of being an instructor.
Dr. Melissa Read
Donna, Yes, when we prioritize, things tend to go very smoothly. When we don't we tend to have big challenges and sometimes the complexities of life can take over.
Dr. Melissa Read
That is a good thought! That is how I feel. I know when I do the bigger things first, the other things fall into place when and how they need to be done.
I was thinking about this and I know that sometimes I put off the most important things I have to do until last. When they seem like the longest or more boring to do, I put them off. Going over this module though, I know that that is not the best thing to do. I am one who gets stressed out easy and especially in my life right now. I need to learn to manage my time wisely.
I tend to accomplish all tasks as I am approached with them. As a result, I would be indirectly falling into the immediacy category. However, I do somewhat disagree with the negatives of this category because I do not feel that the negatives out weigh the positives. I do not think I am going to change my perspective on how I prioritize my tasks.
Debra, Sounds like an excellent system and one that's working great for you. Some instructors find that daily list writing is the best method. Keeps us ever focused on our goals.
Dr. Melissa Read
I make a daily task list. I try to complete the most urgent first. then I go from there. The next day I rewrite the task to complete again most urgent first. This has worked well reducing stress and time managment .
I always try to prioritize my tasks, this seems to make the day flow smoother
I usually try to accomplish all my priority task first with out procratinating. In the past I have procrastinated and it has put me in a panic. I do not like the feeling, and the stress.
I would have to say, after going through this section it would help if I made a list of what needs to be done for the week, and knowing that I have the option of changing them from time to time helps.
I don't think I will be moving with such an urgency like what I learned in the military. I think now that I am an instructor I believe I should prioritize more now that I have some time and get things together in the right manner as apposed to "hurry up and wait".
Robert, Excellent to hear. Yes, the process of re-evaluation is an important one. Some goals go out of date after a few days or in some cases, after a few hours. It's important to assess and reprioritize as needed.
Dr. Melissa Read
Sherri, Sounds like an excellent plan! It's so tempting to want to complete tasks right away. Sometimes it feels better to knock a few tasks out of our queues. Ultimately thought, it's also good to slow down and establish priorities.
Dr. Melissa Read
Usually I will try to get my tasks done fairly quickly. The tasks that are urgent, are the ones I attend to first. As was said in this module, the sooner I complete my tasks, the more free time I will have.
Where this module has helped me the most would be the importance of "re-evaluating", which is to say that task lists are not just a set-and-forget item. Updateing a task list on a periodic basis is a really good idea.
I can honestly admit that I do not procrastinate with my time and commitments very often. I enjoy the security and peace of mind having my work up to date.
I am the type to make the photocopies first because it is quick, but after reading this lecture I feel differently about it. Because the photocopies are quick I can save them for last knowing they won’t take much time to do.
I have always made a “to do list†in my mind on the way to work, but never prioritized the parts of the list. I think I will continue to do the mental list, but then put it on paper when I get to work.
I usually attempt to complete them right away. Based upon what I have learned in this course, I will analyze my tasks better to determine how to prioritize them and free up some time for class preparation.
I always use to do lists and then prioritze the list. I always start with the most important and most urgent items.
