Get Your Students Hired
Traci, So glad to hear. Yes, a lot of instructors who struggle with immediacy do not think of it as a problem at first. There are so many benefits to this approach and often it takes us far. That being said, there's a lot we give up with it too. Sometimes it's time to take a break and reset so we can be better when we return to our tasks.
Dr. Melissa Read
Jackie, Sounds like you have a good system in place. I sympathize with the balancing act you face in accomplishing home life and work tasks. Some instructors find it easier to have one master list and others do two like you. Ultimately, it's a personal preference and one that should be based on how productive you are with the method you choose.
Dr. Melissa Read
I put the most important first unless I am forced to put something ahead of what I know to be at the top of my personal list. Home life has its own priority list. Same goes for work. Priorities shift within each realm. It's like a bad circus juggling act, but, I get it accomplished
Trevor, Sounds like a great plan. Sometimes when students complete this course, they come to the realization that they are on track and doing a lot of things right. If you are happy with your time management system, go with it!
Dr. Melissa Read
Starting off I thought I actually organized my time efficiently. Now I realize I have immediacy challenges as well as need a better system in organizing my to do list. This has been outstandingly helpful.
Susan, This is a common challenge for many instructors. Sometimes tasks are coming in to our queues so quick that we get into a fight or flight mode and do not reference our lists. Some of us can be effective like this for short periods of time but the benefits do not last. Consistent use of our lists is usually the best approach.
Dr. Melissa Read
Yes, I usually tackle important and urgent tasks first. Although I do sometimes choose tasks that are quicker and easier just because the sense of accomplishment motivates me to do more.
I use the to do list in my life, but I have a tendancy to stray away from it when I get super busy. I find I flip flop between immediacy and procrastination when my To Do List gets away from me.
Amberly, This approach sounds great in theory but can be a challenge, especially around the holidays. So do try to complete things right away. At the same time, be reasonable with yourself and try to strike a good balance.
Dr. Melissa Read
I find that I tend to prioritize what is needed in the classroom first and foremost and then I will look at administrative duties secondly. From time to time, it may be necessary to switch these but I think it is important to put the students needs first if push comes to shove. However, as is often stated... there is no Utopia!
If a task is urgent then I try to complete it right away. In the future I will work even harder at doing so though.
This module has made it clear to me, that prioritizing one's task is a great tool for peace of mind, tranquility of soul, and for just the fact of knowing that what is required or needful of one is being accomplished. I can see my classroom management skills and delivery of course material being greatly improved simply by using better prioritizing skills.
It usually depends on what it is and its priority at the given time that determines if I complete the task right away or put it off for another time. How I currently handle tasks based on their priority and relevance works for me and those involved. No changes
Depending on the goals I have set for myself, how to get there, will depend on assessing on what I really want and how to reach those goals. I plan to plan.
I am creful on choosing my goals based on my personal capacities and limitations. I do make listss, monitor and evaluate my strategies for success.
I will not change the order I prioritized my goals at the present for my future success. I also focused on outcomes, and I assess my accomplished tasks, and also I reward myself, for trying new strategies, if any.
For me, rewarding myself if I reached any particular goal(s). is important, No One will know the intrinsic rewards or inner rewards such as a more embedded self-esteem! and a smile of success......
The greatest reward I give myself, when I set and achieved a goal(s), is the greatest reward of all, is to find the beauty within yourself! the beauty of success!
Richard, Excellent to hear that you developed a great system for you. I really like hearing that you have used your system successfully in multiple work environments - including computer help desk and now in your current role. Some organizational systems are flexible enough that - once developed - they can be used anywhere.
Dr. Melissa Read
Stephanie, Sounds like this plan will work well for you. I should note that the right interval used to update your to do list really depends on how many tasks are coming into your queue each day and how many times the priorities of these tasks change. For instructors who have fast moving and quickly changing queues, writing to do lists frequently (even daily) is a great exercise. For instructors who experience less changes to their task lists, less frequent updates are alright.
Dr. Melissa Read
Bruce, Sounds like a nice end of the week organizational activity. As we have the time, it can be really nice to reflect on our accomplishments of the week and plan out what we'll do next. I like the way you reread your list on Monday and make adjustments accordingly.
Dr. Melissa Read
I make my list on Friday at the end of the day while the past week is fresh in my mind, reread it and change it as needed on Monday morning after relaxing over the weekend.
The creation of a to-do list and prioritizing the tasks on the list is a great tool for time management. Years ago I was in charge of a Computer Help Desk where we had 6 technicians to support over 400 computers in addition to the networks and printers. I would come in early each day to prioritize the work orders for the technicians. I would also see if there were any work orders that were geographically nearby that the technician could look at after they completed the most urgent one. This combined method of prioritizing really helped us reduce the backlog of work orders. The same concept works today as I prioritize my tasks as an instructor.
I normally would write a "to do" list each day and I would find that tasks would creep up on me last minute. I am going to try to extend my list from daily to weekly. When I get more confidence and control I'll try planning monthly, with weekly revision. I also enjoy learning to prioritize by the simple numbering system.