Excellent! Yes, the urgent items really pop out when you add notation to your list. This makes them easy to identify and attack right away.
I use an electronic calendar and it is a great tool to have. I like how things just pop up on it.
When I prioritize my tasks, I will assure that I put the most important ones on the top of the list, and then add those that are least important to the bottom of the list.
It is important to break down the large tasks into smaller ones. By taking a piece of one large task and dealing with it a couple of hours at a time, it is less overwhelming.
I am pretty proficient at prioritizing. I have been practicing most of the habits discussed in this module for the last 22 years in my military carreer and my teaching career. I don't see anything that would make me change my current habbits.
I use one too and I love the same thing about it. I have so many meetings that I would surely forget to attend them if I didn't have the reminder system in place.
I like to use the electronic calendar as long as I am on the computer every day. I really like to use a large month at a glance calendar where you can write in the meetings and other items needed to be done. It is easy for me to see it when it is close at hand.
I can also put my weekly "To Do List" on the side.
Another way to prioritize is to make certain you are always make a "To Do List". When you stop doing this, I am sure it will make you wonder why you feel a little disorganized.
Task Prioritization is important to help you to pace yourself. You can go from one project to another without feeling overwhelmed. Writing it down and having it in front of you helps to see how much you have accomplished after you have checked the task off your list.
You have a good point. You probably learned early about the importance of prioritizing. When you are familiar with something every day of your life, it is just second nature to know what to do.
Hi Everyone
I make sure to check emails a couple of times each day (a.m./middle and night)
I don't like getting over 100 emails to reply at once
Thanks
Alana
I usually try to check emails in the morning or evening. At least once a day is important. Like you, I would rather answer a few emails at a time.
Dr. Read,
When I have a task that must be performed immediately I will get it done to avoid it being late. I would rather have some time to think about important and urgent task and how best to handle them. After completing this module I see the importance of the TO DO list. I have used them in the past and when I did they were very helpful. In fact I have a TO DO list for Christmas shopping to ensure I get what I want early (90% complete). I do make an informal to do list and try to stick with it. The module talked about prioritizing, for the rest of the term I am going to try creating the TO DO list, then using the example in the module try and prioritize the list. I will be interesting to see how this will help me, especially through the busy holiday season.
Thanks,
Le Roy
Sometimes when you have many emails to review at one time it can become overwhelming.
It is important to pace yourself every day, and keep a good calendar to write in along with your "To do list" next to you at all times.
It sounds like you have been faithful using your To Do list. I also have used it more in the past, and have been doing my To Do list only in my head from memory.
I think it is better to write things down, so when you are done you have the satisfaction of crossing them off the list.
I have a bad habit of defering most of my tasks to a later time. Procrastination is my weakness. Even to do this training, I told myself...oh there is a lot of time left. But I learned to over come this weakness. A to do list is one way that i can prioritize my tasks..based on task urgency. Thsi to do list will also help me remember what i have to do. I found that keeping multiple copies of my task list posted around my office and home allows me to more effecient and use and manage my time wisely.
With 5 kids....moving things to tommorrow is my weakness. I found that scheduling and planning for a distrubtion...is a good strategy.
--ISLAM
Great strategy Le Roy. To do lists are highly effective during the holiday season as this can otherwise be a very stressful time. I might recommend trying to consolidate this list of personal activities with other activities that are work related. This way, you can see everything that must be completed all at once. This can be less overwhelming than managing multiple lists.
Glenda,
That is a very good idea of keeping a calendar and not only having a TO DO list but also to block out times.
Le Roy
Glenda,
The "memory" list is something that I do all of the time. I have been writing thing down more and more, it does help keep me focused.
Le Roy
