Yes it is important to prioritize tasks according to their importance and urgency. Tasks completed early avoid stress, anxiety, and frustration.
I always have lists of projects that need to be completed. I spend most of my time working to accomplish everything without taking time for myself to relax. I was so obsessed that I made my self sick. During one Doctor's visit, he asked questions about my life. I told him of my very busy schedule & always running out of time to complete them. The Doctor simply said "Who makes these lists?" "Why do you give yourself more than the hours in a day, or more than you can handle? You need to prioritize & stop to smell the roses, your migraines will subside", he was right, but it took me a long time to changemy way of life. I still revert to the old ways when I become obsessed with a project. I guess that I am a work in progress.
It has been most effective for me to: 1) first complete tasks that have non-negotiable deadlines 2) then tackle items that are important, but may not have urgent deadlines and then 3) deal with all other tasks.
As a culinary instructor it is of extreme importance to prioritize tasks if you are going to be succesful. Daily demostrations are recurring tasks that change form on a daily basis but their completition is required. Your day needs to be planed around the demo,even when certain students might need special attention the demo cannot be substituted or postponed.
Ive already started putting together a list each day. I like being able to check it off the list it, I can feel the stress melt away.
Excellent! So glad to hear Edward. Yes, there's something great about putting your tasks on a list and putting them out of your mind. With your list, you can relax and enjoy life a little more, knowing you have a sound approach to getting it all done!
You are not alone Cynthia. Many instructors - as well as people in countless other professions - put themselves last. They often feel as though they are being selfish when taking a little me time. Too much me time can hurt, but a little can be healthy.
Great points Enrique! Culinary is a highly specialized field where timing is everything. In cooking, even the slightest form of procrastination can really show.
The task that must be completed right away I an really pretty good getting them done. I like to get them off my plate as soon as I can. other task that are not as important is hard because I put them off until later. I am working on these and others.
Great to hear you are good at getting urgent tasks completed Abigail. Not all people can say that. Often times instructors procrastinate. It's ok if you can't get to other, less urgent tasks. Sounds like you have a good method of prioritization that is working well for you.
I have always been a "List Maker". It comes quite naturally to me to prioritize tasks at the start of each day. There is a running list in my head with priority on those items that have time urgency or consequence urgency. I find that helps to keep me from falling into the trap of "immediacy" which can be a problem for me.
I have learned how important it is to be perpared and organized for class each day. It makes you feel more in contorl of your time when you manage your time well.
Yes, good organization really can put you in control Willie. It's a great feeling when we are completely on top of things.
Yes, list makers often fall into the trap of immediacy Sarrah. If we are naturally oriented toward staying on top of things, sometimes we swing too far in that direction. Keeping yourself in check starts with recognizing you may have a problem with immediacy and slowing down just a touch.
I usually complete tasks without procrastination. I have more difficulty with the obstacle of immediacy. Students email me at all hours expecting an immediate response.
Fortunately I was raised in a large family and learned at an early age to manage time well. I had to cook and clean a large house. My brothers (all older) didn't help. They were tasked with the outdoor chores. My mom and Dad worked outside the home so it fell to me to run the house. For the cleaning, laundry and cooking to be done BEFORE my mom came home I had to be able to manage my time well. I have been able to translate those skills to preparing for class lectures by making a list of what I need to accomplish that day, what can wait till the next day and what I need to do before next week. Since I am a new instructor, all of the classes are new to me and I have to make my materials from scratch. I have found that if I can stay one lesson ahead of my students I'm allright. Sometimes it is easier to do the easy tasks first because I can accomplish them quickly and then tackle the harder tasks that take more time. In this way I am able to complete everything in time for class and appear more prepared.
Task prioritization is a very important to time management. It allows for more one on one personal teaching in the classroom.
Thanks for sharing Holly! Yes, children who grow up in environments that give them responsibility tend to have developed good organizational skills. Sounds like your childhood gave you lots of time to develop great time management skills. As an adult, it's probably easy for you to transfer those skills into other areas - like your work life.
I use a legal pad to make up a weekly "to do" List. It's the only way I can stay on top of certain things. I like to "check" things off as they are accomplished.
I try to accomplish everything all at once. My "to do" list is never ending. I do try to prioritize but I also procrastinate. It's a never ending circle for me. I get things all in order, when I do something else pops up that messes up my plans. This module was helpful yes, I have tried to utilize the ideas here many times. I will start numbering though instead of writing must, should or could. Maybe a numbered visual will help me better in completion of tasks.
