I have learned, if it has a high priority get it done ASAP, if it has a deadline further away, assign it a due date with a lower priority as the day get closer assign a higher priority.
Sometimes an important task is put off because it is hard to do or not fun to do. That is a challenge for me, I tend to do the easier or more interesting tasks first.
Task prioritization is the bane of my living. I feel comfortable adapting to situations on the fly, but colleagues sometimes are not. I am challenged in finding the balance that suits my students' needs as well as the colleagues that share the lab.
Rebecca, Yes, many of us lean more toward immediacy than procrastination. That's typically a good thing but can get us into trouble sometimes. Sometimes it's nice just to take a step back and take a break. Taking a break can help us be more effective when we return to our tasks.
Dr. Melissa Read
Ron, Yes, easier said than done though sometimes. Sometimes we have too many priority tasks. When this is the case, it becomes difficult to figure out which one to do ASAP and which ones to wait on. That's what makes list making so important.
Dr. Melissa Read
Trevor, I completely understand where you are coming from. As instructors, we have to balance tasks that are coming from many different sources. Some are higher priority than others and that's how we ultimately decide which ones to complete, but it can be tough.
Dr. Melissa Read
I tend to put off important tasks until the deadline is close, but not close enough to cause problems should an error arise. Although I don't expect to change much, the modules on immediacy and control did make useful points which will inform how and when I provide student feedback. Here, some sense of urgency is definitely a plus.
I feel good about my prioritization of urgent tasks. I am a list maker and find that to be very helpful in this area. I'm happy to get those urgent/important ones crossed out first and then have less urgency in all else that is accomplished that day. I enjoyed this section of ED 110 as it seemed to confirm what I am already doing. :)
After completing this course, I am going to change the ways in which I prioritize. I have, in the past, put off the most difficult and "time consuming" tasks. Only to find, no "time" to complete them. I have recently decided, and especially after this course, to once again make my TO DO LISTS. One of the tips from this course, numbering the tasks 1-2-3 and so on, will work for me. I love that idea. I have so often written down my list of things to do, and took so much time trying to put them in order on my LIST, that I was just wasting MORE time. It appears to be easier just to write everything down, then prioritize with a number. In addition, I do prioritize the most urgent tasks to complete first. Unaware that sometimes, when I am finished with the most urgent task, I don't have time for anything else. Ugghh....but, I then, reprioritize. Thank you for such an uplifting and informative course. I think everyone, in every field, should read it. Christine
Ajani, So true. You don't have to completely change your approach. At a guess, your approach has gotten you pretty far in life and there are probably a lot of things you are doing right.
Dr. Melissa Read
Julie, Excellent! Sometimes the content in this course simply validates direction, and that's a good thing. It's nice to know we are on track.
Dr. Melissa Read
Sometimes it's hard to get started with large, multi-faceted projects. Based on the information in this module, I need to make sure that I don't gravitate toward the task that is the easiest or most enjoyable. Instead, I need to take the time to prioritize and focus on the most pertinent item. I also like the idea of updating my to-do list once a week.
A break allows us to "reboot"; improve input as well as functional output. If the rest periods are used to complete projects you may never reboot.
I keep a To Do list, now, this week, and this term. It helps me stay on task
I feel if you are organized and set tasks effectively you will lead students by example.
Rebecca, Yes, that's a good way of putting it. I like to say that it allows us to press the reset button. It's really important to recharge.
Dr. Melissa Read
When completing task one of the most important things is the deadline. The deadline can make all the difference in world. Once this fact has been established it makes the actual task easire to achieve and accomplish.
Interestingly, I have a problem with wanting to do tasks now. For me it is going to be about pacing myself. Not pushing myself so hard. Really a difficult thing to do ,
I am with you. Life is full of unexpected tasks or emergencies-I like to get tasks done before they are due!
I am one who is guilty of never making "to do lists." My husband does, though.
