I will definitely change my method. I have often wondered why I don't seem to have enough time in the day. Procrastination has been the culprit!
I think I will take into account the tasks and pritorize them according to importance.
Glad to hear it Robert! Prioritization works well for many instructors. Keep it up!
Dr. Melissa Read
I try to accomplish urgent and important tasks in a timely fashion, but sometimes I am very busy, and when I am very busy I sometimes focus on completing easier tasks first, rather than the most important ones. I often use a list to help me remember what to do, but I don't always explicitly prioritize the items on my list by numbering each item according to its importance. I am going to try that idea in the future.
Yes the system of assigning numbers 1,2,3, in order of importance has started to work for me over the last 11 months.
Diana, Sounds like you have been trained with a great foundation and that it has served you well. I hope this course was a good refresher. Sometimes, application of these principles to life --combined with occasional reminders of their value-- helps the most.
Dr. Melissa Read
Actually with me it depends on the deadline of the task and how important the task actually is to what is a top priority on a day to day basis.
I have actually gone through the "Franklin" time management training in a past job and continue to use their concept which is very much like the one described here. I agree that it works very well...I consistently have to use a "To Do List" approach to stay on top of priorities. I recommend this to anyone not already doing so.
Task prioritization is important in our everyday life. One should consider the urgency of the tasks and the consequence of putting it off for another time.
Juanita, Sounds like you have the right approach. Not all instructors do this well. Most instructors like to knock a few easy tasks off their list to start as confidence builders. Focusing on the priorities is probably the better bet!
Dr. Melissa Read
I have found this module illuminating. As an executive coach, its something that my coachees are nearly all challenged by. Its also probably the biggest obsticle I have to overcome.
I tend to prioritize the most important task first and then work off of task list to help me complete each one by matter of importance.
Teresa, It sounds like you've given this quite a bit of thought. I like the idea of challenging yourself to work and accomplish things, and then to reward yourself. It's ok to go heavy on the rewards every now and then too. We work for these benefits, we should get to enjoy them!
Dr. Melissa Read
Craig, Sounds like you have a healthy process for making and revising your list. Re-prioritization is really important. Most instructors do it weekly, but some have to do it more frequently. The timing really depends on how frequently your priorities change and how much work is coming into your queue overall.
Dr. Melissa Read
It should not be necessary to change your To Do list unless specific task priorities or length of time available for each task change.
I typically review my activities for the next week each Sunday, and re-align my To Do list in view of any changes that may have occured regarding priority or timing.
"Emergency" or "crisis of the day" impacts may occur, however, which can cause me to revise my To Do list more frequently, i.e., on an as-needed basis.
Dr. Read and others,
Personally speaking I have been very good at organizing my time as well as being realitic with what I can complete given X time frame.
Since I was a young student myself my parents told me to complete my homework once I got home from school (the daily work) because I was still in the mind set of school. However, if I didn't know an answer I should ask them (my parents) for help. This mindset has been with me ever since.
I tell my students to create TO DO LISTS which I call the ABC list. A's are for the most important items that should get done today, B's are items that need attention but not immediate attention and C's are those day to day tasks that can be put off with out any issues. I then tell students to not do a C item until an A item gets completed. Otherwise they fall into C FEVER. I call this procrastination. Therefore, this statement follows, IF I complete an A task THEN I can do a C task.
I am in no way saying I am perfect in this area but I do feel confient in my order in regards to time management and prioritizing tasks.
My tasks and the order by which I prioritize them usually have to do with the course I am teaching at the moment. I first deal with the things at hand, the urgency of what is needed to best teach the class. I tend to put off those items that have a long time line.( online courses for example )I teach many courses and depending on how many times that I have taught a class usually has alot to do with the urgency I feel. The more I teach a class the easier it is to set the priorities.
Paul, Interesting approach and not one that most instructors take. Typically, people like to do the opposite. They start by knocking out easy tasks and then move to harder ones. Sounds like your approach is working for you well though, so keep it up! M ;)
Dr. Melissa Read
Heather, Being prompt is usually a good thing. Some instructors struggle with the opposite problem, and that's with immediacy. Finding a balance between the two in both your work and home life is the best approach. Easier said than done.
Dr. Melissa Read
Rita, Sometimes it's nice to knock a few easy tasks out of your queue before moving on to complex ones. It's a confidence builder. At the same time, I like your approach of taking a step back and identifying what's important. If we only focus on the easy tasks, priority tasks can get delayed.
Dr. Melissa Read
