I learned early in my career that I am naturally a procrastinator. So to combat this tendency I make sure to start my day with the hardest tasks and work my way to the easier ones.
Based on what I have read here and what I have gleaned from the first couple of weeks of teaching this new course, I will be re-prioritizing some of my tasks. I now know that it will take me more time to effectively grade or prepare for somethings and less time for others. So, now I now what I can safely procrastinate on and what I need to do right away.
Like a Chef instructor I come in the class at list 1 hour before. In order, I check all the food we need, look at my E-mails, organize all my office tasks, after I do the "mise en place".
Taking time before starting the class help me to destress
I am constantly preparing to do list,especially with a 8 month old baby. With that being said, I have to maintain several to do list. One for my household and one for my job. I have a tendency of reviewing them daily.
Sounds like a great approach Monica. Daily review is important for instructors who have a lot on their plate. I'm curious about why you keep your household and job lists separate. Would combining them be overwhelming?
I seldom finish tasks right away, so I do tend to put them off for another time. Most assignments are given to me weeks in advance and I normally don't even look at what task needs to be done until a few days before it's due. Based on what I've learned, I will change the order of which tasks are most urgent. Basically, the task that has the most to lose by incompletion receives top priority.
Sounds like some change might be needed Robert - especially if you're experiencing negative consequences of not completing assignments until the last minute. However, I should note that some people thrive on situations in which time is running out and these people tend to do their best work then. So do what works best for you.
structure seems more and more important as the tedhnology changes... Its funny how all of this was stated to make our lives easier. YET WITH THE ELECTRONIC DIGITAL ADVANCES IT SEEMS THAT THERE'S JUST MORE AND MORE TO DO.
Pat Broderick
Thriving under duress in the work place. The sink or swim senario. Fight or flight
Patrick, Technology can be both constructive and destructive. Think of fire as a technology. It can be used to keep us warm and safe from predators. It can also be used to burn down cities. Instructors who find a way to harness the positive power of technology are the ones who benefit most.
Dr. Melissa Read
I am terrible at prioritizing tasks, to me they are all equally as important so I stay until I complete them.
Someone once told me a simple, guiding rule: "Keep the main thing the main thing." This rule helps me when I think about what tasks to prioritize with higher or lower priority. Which one is most important for my own work or for the work of those directly around me? If I can keep the main thing in mind, it's a simple decision.
