That is a very point. I think I expect of myself.
Tasks that are important or need to be done by a certain date are high on my priority list but I always choose to complete the task close to the due date. I seem to waste a lot of time when I start a task early because I know I have a lot of time before it is due. For instance, take this course, I have known since January that I needed to complete a course before June 15 and waited until June 13 to start. I also knew that the course was something that I would be able to successfully accomplish and I believe that has a lot to do with my procrastination. If the task was something unfamiliar or a life/death situation I would definitely not put it off for a later time. I agree with the information presented in the module about prioritizing and accomplishing things ahead of time to reduce the amount of stree but I haven't actually figured out how to apply it to my lifestyle and habits.
The tasks that are most important or urgent are the ones that I do complete first. My biggest problem is not doing what is urgent or important first it is that I am a huge procrastinator. When it comes to doing the work I get it done on time but I would get it done with a lot less stress if I did't procratinate. I am hoping that what I have learned here will help to prioritze better and not be as much of a procrastinator.
Thanks for sharing Linda. This is actually a common problem among instructors. For some instructors, the more time they have, the more time they waste. For some, it's actually easier to complete a task if there is a looming deadline.
this is a real problem, "deciding which is mor urgent".
I don't think I'll change the way I prioritize my tasks. I do think I'll change the way I look at the rewards of prioritization. Setting and reaching realistic and challenging goals in a timely manner is a great way to increase job satisfaction.
I always try to accomplish the most important task first and foremost. Evryday taks of immportance woul include feeding my husband and three children, bathing myself and them, and providing clean laundry for my family to ware eachday. equally important tasks include paying the morgage bill and electricity payment, yet these tacks come with a due date and i can wait until the due date to turn them in. I am a natural procrastinator. I love to put thigs off til the day or time is needed.But, I feel that I do get things done in a timely manner and to the best of my ability!
Yes, it is often a challenge to decide which task is more of a priority. Sometimes I ask myself what would happen if I decided not to complete each task. Sometimes this helps me figure out which one to focus on if there are many to choose from!
I believe the most important category for prioritizing is dated obligations. In one class I teach, there is a chapter dedicated to time management and the first step to managing time is prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. This is the main point I drive home to my students, however, I just looked at my calendar and noticed I let the ten day grace period for my CD expire and now I am stuck with a low interest rate for another year. I must learn to practice what I preach.
To Do lists are a part of my life, and prioritizing tasks helps me see what I am supposed to be doing for a better result at the end. At times, I get redirected, and succumb to immediacy. Now I know that this is an unproductive way to handle work tasks. Occasionally, we must do things immediately, but not the majority of work tasks. Another issue that has come up is procrastination. I was in school all of my life, and finally earned my Ph.D. Now, I feel as if I have done "it" and that I can procrastinate because I have earned it. Unfortunately, this is lousy thinking, and it will not help to get things done. I must get this idea of procrastination out of my life again, because I never had time to procrastinate before when I was earning my degrees.
Barbara
I need to remember that it doesn't all have to be done today. I tend to overwhelm myself with things that need to be done.
I tend to not want to get started on large tasks. But my sister has a great saying; "If you have to eat a frog, do it first thing in the morning. If you have to eat two frogs, eat the biggest one first!" So when there is something I don't particularly want to do, I always say, I'm eatting frogs, it's a more humorous way to get the projects started that you aren't particularly thrilled about. And you don't obsess about it the rest of the day, it's done and you can go on to other things.
Actually, I am an individual who will make a list of important tasks and then prioritize them in the order best to complete each one. I will put off for another time, those that I deem not as important; depending on the number of tasks that I have.
However, the module speaks to the importance of realizing that the importance of specific tasks on your "to do list" will change over time. The order of the task will change; meaning that the non-urgent tasks will at times become more urgent; and the more important tasks may at times become less important.
It states that, because of this it is important to go through your "to do list" periodically and rewrite it at regular time intervals. They recommend that you pick (1) day/week and rewrite the list on that specific day. Once the list has been rewritten, you can re-prioritize your tasks.
By making this list and establishing your priorities, you will gain a sense of security and I think accomplishment from simply knowing exactly which tasks need to be completed and how soon they need to be done. Consequently, you will also feel a sense of achievement as your list changes over time; and probably become more organized and defined.
So true Jamie! Just try to chip away at a little each day and before you know it, all the work will be done. Thinking about getting things done all at once is almost too daunting and sometimes can be paralyzing. This results in doing nothing at all.
after considering urgency, I tend to prioritize the least pleasent tasks to get them out of the way
I tend to focus on high priority tasks first and sometimes procrastinate with low priority tasks. I plan to make low priority tasks more important on my to-do list.
I usually prioritize my tasks and do the most urgent and time consuming tasks first.
Sometimes things get pushed back for various reasons, but I always meet the deadline no matter what it takes. But planning ahead and spreading it out is defintely less stressful.
This is a great approach Dave. Try to get urgent tasks knocked out first or they can haunt you a little later. Then think about prioritizing and getting high priority tasks done right away.
Sometimes we have "a case of the shoe cobblers' shoes" William. Even the best time and stress management instructors occasionally forget to use the best methods for dealing with stress. We can more easily get ourselves on track when we acknowledge what we're doing and take the time to make tweaks to our approach.
I am ususally good at prioritizing the things that need to be done that are of an an urgent nature. Being that I am a program director if I put off things here at school I would wind up taking them home and that I can not do because I have many responsibilities there also. The thing that I find a hard time scheduling time for and prioritizing is me.
