Melissa, I agree! But, sometimes I need to thnk more clearly about priorities. I guess that is where more forethought is needed.
Daryl, it sounds like you are doing things right! Did you come to this process naturally, or did you read anything that helped you?
Interesting Cathleen, Most people have the opposite problem. I recommend pushing back on the amount of tasks you take on in your personal life. I also recommend setting expectations on the amount of time it will take personal tasks, and adding in a buffer to your expected time lines.
Think about the tasks that are most important and urgent for you to complete.
Do you usually choose to accomplish these tasks right away or do you tend to put these tasks off for another time?
FOR ME IT DEPENDS ON THE IMMEDIACY OF THE TASK. AS AN ADMINISTRATOR, I HAVE LEARNED THE DELICATE ART OF DELEGATION. I HAVE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION OF DO I NEED TO COMPLETE THIS MYSELF OR DO I NEED TO HAND THIS OFF TO SOMEONE ELSE.
Based on what you have learned in this module about task prioritization, will you change the order in which you accomplish important and urgent tasks in the future?
THIS WAS A GOOD REFRESHER. I HAVE A SYSTEM THAT WORKS. I AM, HOWEVER, ALWAYS OPEN TO NEW PARADIGMS ABOUT WAYS TO IMPROVE. CURRENTLY, MY SYSTEM WORKS FOR ME AND HAS FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS. SO, AS MY GRANDMOTHER USE TO SAY, "IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT".
I feel that when I do my "to do list" I tend to try to complete the easy items first. I will also look at the urgency of the item, but if given some time on an item I will do other items first so I feel that I have accomplished more. This does tend to leave somethings being completed at the last minute which labels me as a "procrastinator". I think if I would divided these up into smaller parts then I would not have the overwhelming feeling and get to them sooner.
Mary,
I have also been using "to do list" for a long time. It has not been until recently that I have really started to prioritize. It can be frustrating when you update your list and you still have the same thing on your list week after week. I notice this more at my full time job where we have been short staffed and it seems that you are only able to scratch the surface of the "to do list".
Mary,
I have also been using "to do list" for a long time. It has not been until recently that I have really started to prioritize. It can be frustrating when you update your list and you still have the same thing on your list week after week. I notice this more at my full time job where we have been short staffed and it seems that you are only able to scratch the surface of the "to do list".
Jo,
I can relate to your lack of time for writing things down. It is almost like adding something else to do to your already busy schedule!
I have an online planner that I use to prioritize a list of my daily tasks. The one thing that I really need to do is to read it before I leave the house each morning. I can print out a copy for each day, but sometimes I forget to do it. I plan to do it the night before and to put a copy of in my purse before leaving home.
Melissa, I think the major problem of trying to put a ranking on task that have a priority over another is all the time demands that we face everyday from work and our families. I think we need to find a balance of importance of our tasks and maybe sometimes throw in a task that maybe does not have to be done immediately so that we can feel a sense of accomplishment so that we can stay focused and have a sense of accomplishment. Just my thoughts!
James Libell
I think I like to procrastonate my prioritized list. I do know what needs to be done and what is most important, but with so much to so ...
I liked the module and will work on this. My goals are to complete my to-do list and then to prioritize the tasks (on paper not just in my head) and then to re-evaluate the list periodically.
I tend to do the important tasks first, but I think I have a tendency to rush things a bit too much at times.
Hello Dr. Read,
I complete urgent tasks in a timely manner. I do a good job of completing important tasks on time and meeting deadlines.
I usually have a 'to do list' in my head but do not write it down. What I learned from this module is that writing the list down is very important to prioritize the tasks and to reduce the stress level Going over the tasks mentally can be very taxing and stressful. I am curious to know how many of you have been writing down your 'to do list' ?
Seema Vaid
I have an issue with immediacy so I don't tend to put things off. I do prioritize well and manage to get everything done by the deadline. I have used a to do list almost all my life - I have always been someone even in childhood who had alot going on. I only have one list and includes all my different roles on it in catagories: College Administrator, Faculty, Cattle company, Board of Directors, pesonal and so on. The list is updated every Sunday evening so that I start out Monday's rady to go.
Yes, I feel there are certain tasks that I put off for long periods of time (example: grading). If I go ahead and complete these tasks earlier they will reduce my stress level.
When I think of tasks which are urgent and important I tend to think primarily of things I must do at my job. My personal life has very little sense of urgency; however, it is important to me. I am not as "driven" in my personal life as I am with my career. I do have a finely attuned sense of urgency and importance in terms of my work functions and I am always able to complete things on time--usually in advance of when they are due. Depending upon the task and its desirability I may put it off, but never to the point it is not successfully completed on time.
Based upon what I have learned in this module I will create a written "To Do" List as opposed to a mental one. I tend to think about what I must do the following day at home before I go to sleep and I create an internal "To Do" List on my drive to work. I have been successful with this but I think if I create a more formal list it will act as a visual aid, I will be able to more accurately prioritize things, and I will be able to cross things off when completed. Crossing them off when completed will be a tangible reminder of what I have accomplished and it may affect the order in which I accomplish my urgent and important tasks in the future.
If I create a written list with both urgent and important tasks and update it weekly I should be able to better plan and manage my time for the future. In addition, I think I will begin doing this in my personal life to see if I can create a greater sense of urgency. I am not suggesting I do not do things in my personal life; however, I feel if I followed the recommendations of this module I may become more focused and productive. Perhaps it will spur me to a new hobby, activity or allow me to focus on improving my future plans for retirement.
In the too-rare times that I stick to a task list, I prioritize by a combination of urgency and how much time the task takes. For example, if I need to grade a set of assignments (2+ hours) and take care of some administrative detail (less time), and I have only a short block of time in the present, I'll choose the shorter task, and wait until later in the day when I'll have more time, to complete the other task.
It depends on what I have going on at the time. For the most part, I am comfortable enough in my classes - I know what needs to be done in the immediate future and what can be put off - that I don't need to have a to-do list constantly going. However, I do know how easy I can forget things when I get really busy. At those times, I do start a to-do list, just so I can get everything down on paper and prioritize what needs to be done before other things.
The hard part with me is that I'm a classic procrastinator. I will almost always put off until tomorrow what I should probably be doing today. In my full-time job, I've got it practically down to a science! I know exactly how long it takes me to complete a task so I can do what I want for as long as possible.
I know that I need to prioritize and to actually implement the prioritization. I know what I need to do, I just need to do it. With this module and implementing these "good practices", I will hopefully be better able to list and prioritize - and to actually get these things done.
I often get overwhelmed by all the things that have to be done and too ambitious when it comes to realistically evaluating what's possible. But I usually do a to do list during breakfast which makes it much clearer. This also helps me to see the priorties rather then being stressed out about having to do it all the same day. After using my intellect/ left side of the brain to make this list I learned to then use my gut/intuition to pick the most beneficial things to do first. This has proven very efficient. I also start with things that I like, are and give me momentum through a feeling of accomplishment.
