Prioritization
The ability to quickly prioritize tasks and duties relating to specific job responsibilities is something that all instructors/managers need to develop and improve throughout their careers. The challenge to this skill is when tasks are added to our workloads (from inside or outside of our management chain)that have been deemed of a higher priority than our current responsibilites. While frustrating, integrating these "new" taskings into our schedule must be accomplished and requires an even higher development of priortization skill sets.
I feel Lee Iacocca said it best "If you want to make good use of your time, you've got to know what is most important and then give it all you've got."
Well said Christopher and so true! Prioritization is key.
I think some of the conflict may arise between which specific job responsibilites are more of a priority than others.
For instance, continuing one's personal development in a subject area is highly important to the school and to the person. However, should such an opportunity occur during finals, assisting anxiety ridden students and handing back papers in a timely manner may take priority.
The school, who has paid for this one time development opportunity, feels that (although finals are important) it can be equally or more important the development opportunity is used. However, the prof may deem grading and personal life more important than the personal development opportunity.
There isn't really a correct answer in this situation outside of bad timing on the part of the prof and/or the school.
Given there is 24h per day, which activity would be considered a higher priority?
Once you learn how to priortize your time in your personal and work life, you become must more efficient and productive. It actullly takes time to develop these time management skills.There are so much more tasks you can accomplish in your day if you take the time to paln and priortize.I know form my own personal experience, and now I have more time for myslef and also more energy
Vicki, It's great to hear that you have evolved your time management skills over time. I agree that we get better and better each year at time management - and therefore more and more productive too. Refining your skills can take initial time investments and modifications to the way you are accustomed to completing tasks. It's usually well worth the effort though and that's what I like to keep in mind.
Dr. Melissa Read
Well said Vicki. It takes time to learn to prioritize personal and work life. If the boss adds a task to your already packed agenda, one must learn to re-prioritize and function under the stress. Same for personal life; if the day care calls you to pick up your suddenly sick child one has to decide who is available to pick up the child on your behalf so you may attend the mandatory meeting. This situation involves re-prioritization.
It is well known that by prioitizing your workload it helps in iliminating the frustration one goes through on a daily basis and thus minimizing the stress level one goes through for a healthier life .
Indeed, this is a key uber-priority.
