I do my best to prioritze what needs to be done. I break large tasks into smaller ones so they're not so overwhelming.
first i try to determine the consequences for not completing an item, and that helps prioritize what needs to get done next. i try to utilized to-do lists, particularly for items that may need more than one session of attention. that way, i don't forget about an important project that requires a lot of attention farther into the future. observing students and their ways and excuses for not completing work, as well as students who complete things in a timely manner, even with a full plate of other obligations, also helps motivate me to better manage my own time. i will try to utilize the ideas of identifying stressors and eliminate those when i can.
I was always the guy who needed the last minute pressure to perform but that can be transparent to your students and after reviewing this module I realize it can be unhealthy also
In our campus environment, it is relatively easy to priortize because campus adminisrators place specific deadlines on important tasks. Answering emails from friends is not a major priority. This direct approach by "upper management" generally results in timely completion of important tasks however occasionally the stress level goes through the roof.
Do not try to do everything at once. Make a list of the most urgent/important priorities first--while thinking of the consequences of not completing them first. Then you have time to conquer priorities 2,3,and 4 in that order. On your to do list you can number the priorities as to the importance/urgency. The number 1 tasks are first--and will make you feel that you are really accomplishing something.
I personally do have a tendency to choice to complete my easier stuff on my To Do List first. One it’s easier and two is gives me a small sense of accomplishment because I have crossed something off my list. Silly I know, so I do have to tell myself do the big stuff first. I actually remember learning this in grade school time, my Mom would ask what is your hardest subject for homework and what is your easiest and she made me do my hard stuff first. She told me my mind would be fresher for the hard stuff. Believe it or not that still sticks in my head, even though I am bad at times and do the easy stuff first.
This course just reminds me I have to prioritize my To Do List.
I have had a tendancy to get the easy tasks done first in order to make time to concentrate on the larger and more important tasks. Perhaps, based on this module that is not the best approach.
Rosemary, It sounds like you have a good handle on how you manage time and stress. Being honest with yourself is a great first step in the right direction. This approach us in the position to identify what needs to change and, ultimately to make that happen.
Dr. Melissa Read
Terry, It's really hard for me to understand how people can rest without completing their tasks either! When I don't complete tasks, it definitely keeps me up at night. At the same time, I should note that some instructors prioritize other things, which causes delays to driving toward their goals and responsibilities. We can learn a little from them about balance.
Dr. Melissa Read
I am guilty of reacting to situations instead of pre planning and prioritizing. I do make to do lists but tend to immediately react to students or other instructors who need help which ends up interfering with any plans I had made to accomplish tasks.
I tend to try to do quick items on my list first, to make it less overwhelming and to have some feeling of accomplishment to keep me going.
With the information from the module and Wunderlist, I can make lists for work, home, goals and so on but opt to only view what is actually due today.
I find it much easier to finish things on time when I'm not looking at a wall of post it notes.
Annabel, So glad to hear this module was helpful. Yes, we've got to prioritize our most important tasks and work them in their order of priority. Not everything can happen at once. When we try to accomplish things too quickly, it can take a toll on our product output.
Dr. Melissa Read
Thomas, You make a good point. There is a relationship between task priority and task urgency. When we take care of priority tasks first, we are often left with less urgent tasks in the future.
Dr. Melissa Read
Jeremiah, Sounds like you have your priorities straight. While we always want to be part of our educational community and for them to see us as team players, we also want to put the things that matter most first. Ultimately, per your point, our goal should be to serve the needs of our students. We all work to that goal, directly and indirectly.
Dr. Melissa Read
I will most definitely do the hardest or most important task first thing. It's amazing how other more urgent matters push the important tasks off.
Prioritizing is essential in completing daily tasks and expectations. Without my list, I wouldn't be able to prioritize or complete what needed to be done. I don't understand how anyone could rest at night knowing that their goals/duties were not completed.
I think I do a good job most of the time. Accomplishing the important often reduces what is urgent. Many people spend too much time putting out fires, so to speak, always attending to an urgent matter, when so often taking care of the important matters can reduce what we might classify as urgent.
I now understand why I feel overwhelmed with the 5 differnt jobs I do! Yes I write to do lists, but never understood the importance of priortizing or arranging them in the order of most improtant or most urgent. This class was extrmemly helpful in helping me to remember to not do the easy or smaller stuff first, but to break down the most urgent or larger tasks into smaller chunks so that everything gets done in a timely manner.
I have a tendancy of colmpleting tasks that are important in a relatively quick time frame and put others off as they are less important to the success of my students and do not interfere with my job performance. Sometimes while working for corporate education instructors are asked to do some activities which relate only to the desire of the corporation to foster a coporate culture, those things can wait, I am here to teach my students.
Kenneth, Sounds like a great move forward approach. Considering how pressing and important each task is can help us choose the best ones to focus on first.
Dr. Melissa Read
