Life is a TIme Management Exercise; Wasted TIme is Wasted Life!!
I have observed many friends and peers repulse at my favorite quote. Its not that I live off a written schedule but it provides a mantra for me to avoid procrastination and time wasters.
One of my favorite tools is a black composition book that can be bought at walmart for $1.
Now most folks would use their IPAD or other electronic devices. I have a composition book for everything. Physical training, hiking, routinge meetings, things to do list, gardening, my investments, etc.
The book can be transported easily and if lost it not a large financial investment as in the case of one losing their 600.00 IPAD or smart phone.
You can easily identify the comp book with your name and identification info and besides who would steal a black composition book?
I like to write things down in the black composition books for many reasons. Firstly this prevents me from forgeting the task or event. It also becomes an official record for a meeting or directive. I love if when my boss says one thing in a meeting and remembers something else 6 months later. I just pull out the ugly composition book, and "bam" the situation is instantly clarified.
Secondly I get the physically satisfaction of crossing things off vice deleting. The book eventually becomes a disposable reference that can be indexed as necessary and later if needed destroyed.
The writting down of all tasks enables me to prioritize those tasks. If I find tasks that are not a priority and can be done in the future, like continuing education, I transfer those tasks to a digital list and post to a digital calendar to be addressed at a later date.
This planning feature for low priority tasks allows those tasks to be accomplished in small chunks, overtime and as time becomes available.
Using this system for all things in my life allows me to never be bored, always have something to do, and I am able to achieve all my personal and professional goals.
Nicholas,
Thanks for the well-written post. We need to set up our classes so that students have a chance to be unsuccessful at some activities early without having failure be demoralizing.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I tell my ultrasound students it's OK to make mistakes, we all make mistakes and the classroom & scanning lab is the place to make them,not at their clinical sites. I explained to them I learn better by my mistakes. When I say that the students tend to be more open by answering my questions to them and they ask more question of me. At least once a week, usually on Mondays I set aside time to go around the class and have them tell me briefly about their clinical site experience. By doing this I have almost eliminated my office visits & emails from students. This opens a huge amount of time for me to complete other tasks.
Nicholas,
Thank you for this post. What are some of your most effective time management techniques in school?
Jeffrey Schillinger
Yes, life is a time management exercise and once we realize this then things seem to fall in place.I am a list person as well,but not as organized as you with several note books. It took many years to realize that if I prioritize my personal life like I do at the office, I was happier at work & home plus more productive.
Thomas,
I use a similar process with my staff. I have a Walmart notebook for each of my staff members and use it much as you describe.
Jeffrey Schillinger
