I usually accomplish he tasks that are most important to me right away. I will continue to address these tasks in that same way. This course has made me consider that the tasks can be better organized, and so I will try and do that first before jumping headlong into them.
I find that I need to compartmentalize my life somewhat to keep it manageable. I have to do lists at home and at work but am better at prioritizing at home. The instruction will help alleviate the feeling of being overwhelmed at work. Sometimes I choose the easier less important tasks to do first, and that is not the best practice.
Ghaleb, I like the way you assess each task to decide how quickly you respond. That's a great approach. You are right. Some tasks can be knocked out of the queue right away. Others require thoughtful and deliberate response. A one-size-fits-all approach does not always work for task management.
Dr. Melissa Read
Anna, Excellent to hear. Yes, breaking tasks into manageable chunks is a wonderful approach to completing daunting assignments. Keeps us motivated and moving forward.
Dr. Melissa Read
Cynthia, So glad to hear it! Yes, sometimes staying so on top of things is actually our greatest problem. When we don't slow down and take a break, we can get overwhelmed and stressed too.
Dr. Melissa Read
I am the type of person who would rather get things done then let them sit. However, I also know that some tasks are more important then others and I accomplish those tasks first. I have never been one to put things off for another time. I will probably not change the order in which I accompligh important and urgent tasks.
Some tasks I respond to immediately while others I take my time to reorganize my thoughts, my schedule, and the timeliness of my response. I maintain a certain level of flexibility when responding to any task. I will start writing down in a "to do" list my tasks and hopefully this will help in my thought process to organize and respond in a timely manner.
I tend to do some tasks right away and others I procrastinate on. I will try utilizing a "to do" list to help manage my time and prioritize my tasks. I like the idea of breaking my tasks up into "manageable" tasks...this should help me complete the tasks I procrastinate on.
William, Good point. Our tried and true process and templates must occasionally change to stay relevant. Sounds like you understand this all to well.
Dr. Melissa Read
At the hospital there are many tasks that students need to experience and I use lists to check off as they arise, Some times I must change these lists as opportunities present themselves.
Oraganizing task is very important for success
I am learning to enjoy life but do struggle with immediacy. My husband helps me to slow down and smell the roses so to speak. I did not realize that my behavior of immediacy is a contributor to stress. I thought that keeping up with my tasks would aleviate stress. This course really made me open my eyes.
Edward, Excellent to hear. Yes, a to do list can be so rewarding and satisfying. To your point, you might be able to leverage some of the reinforcing aspects of this method to accomplish tasks that you find less desirable or that make you nervous.
Dr. Melissa Read
George, Interesting. Some instructors are good at prioritizing in one setting (e.g. work) but not another (e.g. personal). Sounds like you might be able to relate. People like this often compartmentalize their home and work lives or focus primarily on one or the other.
Dr. Melissa Read
Elizabeth, So true. As instructors, we are often asked to do more with less. Over time, this gets tough. We want to give our students the best we can. With limited resources, we can only do so much.
Dr. Melissa Read
Cynthia, Yes, from your comments, it sounds like you are really on top of things. This is great but can burn us out if we use this approach long term. Every now and then, people who struggle with immediacy should stop and try enjoy life too.
Dr. Melissa Read
Kesa, Excellent plan. Sounds like you have the right approach already in place. My best recommendation for instructors in this situation is to just go with it.
Dr. Melissa Read
After taking this course I fear that I tend to lean toward the obstacle of Immediacy. I used to be a procrasinator and have changed to the extreme. I am going to make an effort to change so that I will not get so tired. I will prioritize better.
It's easy to get overwhelmed in this day and age. More is expected in lesser time. Keep one's priorities straight and do the best we can.
I have found for myself in the classroom it is quite easy to set priorities. outside of the classroom I have struggled at times with achieving what I needed to do. I do make a list when I feel that I am not getting things done. sorting by have too's and want too's. has worked well for me.
