Sounds frustrating Rachel. For some instructors, the work truly never ends. As one tasks ends the next begins. It can feel like there's no way to work your way out. I recommend setting reasonable goals for yourself each day. When goals are completed, go ahead and stop, take a step back and experience the sense of closure that crossing things off of your list can give.
I tend to do the same. I make a list and have it in order but I have a hard time stopping if it's not all done.
I use a weekly organizer in which I write my "to do" list for each class day. I circle important events such as lab, quizes, and exams. I also printout a monthly calender to attach to the organizer which lets me organize important events before my class term starts. I take my organizer to class every day and it also helps me make appointments with my students and helps me to make announcements of important date to my class.
Learning how to triage and prioritize saves lives in all aspects of Nursing. ABC's is important to note i.e. Airway, Breathing and Circulation in order to do first things first and continue to promote health and prolong lives of individuals. In any area of one's homelife and worklife prioritization is pertinent. It's essential for survival.
I have found to do lists absolutely necessary for me to manage both my professional as well as personal life. I choose to keep my lists on one piece of paper separated by these areas of personal and professional. It not only helps me to organize my day as an instructor but gives me an overall perspective of my day in its entirety. This ultimately shows me days where I can re-focus more time on my personal life.
What I have learned in this module regarding tasks and their order of prioritization will benifit me in reexamining the importance which the tasks are evaluated. therefor adding time that is more productive.
Excellent to hear Richard. It sounds like it might be time for you to reevaluate the tasks on your plate and identify the ones you need to complete first.
Sounds like you have already developed an excellent system Graham. I like how you include both personal and professional tasks on one list. It's nice to be able to see the full landscape of your responsibilities in one place. I also like the way you divide up these tasks into two places on your list. This can tell you if the tasks in one area of your life are taking too much time.
Yes, in the case of nursing and the medical field, task prioritization does save lives. So it's really an essential for people in your industry Eva. Sounds like you have become effective at prioritizing the ABCs and other things that prolong life.
I like to come in the morning early to accomplish all my tasks
I start by making a general list of everything that I would like to finish for the week, breaking the list into daily accomplishments based on urgency and due dates. The lists are very informal and don’t take much time to write and I feel much more organized having them. Each day, I look at my list and work on accomplishing what I have marked as a priority. If I have any time left-over I go back to the general list to work on a lesser important task. This has always worked well for me and is very similar to what is suggested in this course.
Me too Kimberly! It's wonderful to get ahead early in the day and get several tasks knocked out.
I keep my school and personal/at home tasks
separated. My school "to do" list I keep
readily available and keep that updated.
The personal lists sometimes is a casualty, how-
ever any urgent tasks I usually attend to
immediately. I usually haven't prioritized
my school tasks in great detail; the course is
reminding me that it might bode well to do
so in future. Sometimes available time &
resources are not readily at my disposal as
maybe I previously thought.
I like the point that was made regarding completing tasks, that if you completed tasks nows you will enjoy the fruits of labor later -- such as when school is out of session you can enjoy your break stress free knowing that everything that you were expected to accomplish is now finished. This point will forever stick with me.
Excellent! So happy to hear you'll take something away from this course Karen. It's a wonderful feeling when tasks are complete. Gives you the ability to focus on other things - fun things in life.
This module has really opened my eyes. I do "try" to prioritize...I usually try to do the more time-consuming tasks first.
I tend to complete/start tasks right away at work. At home is a different story.
I am one that feels like I have to do everything right away and never say no. I am learning that I can take my time in doing certain things and that it is ok to say no at times.
Glad to hear about your new approach Jamie. It's important to push back when we don't have the bandwidth to complete tasks. Otherwise, we aren't always effective at helping on the tasks we have already committed to.
Sometimes our time management skills are different at work and at home. Some are more effective at work, such as yourself. Others are the opposite. Finding balance between the two can be tough.
