Manage Your Work, Don't Let It Manage You
Goals of Time Management
- To be able to have control over your life - manage your time, don't let it manage you!
- To be healthier and happier (less stress).
Seven
Suggestions for Effectively Managing Your Time
1. Be
Organized
·
Use time saving tools: appointment
calendars, "to do" lists, e-mail, answering machines, file folders,
etc.
·
Have an organized workplace (do not
waste time constantly looking for your work).
·
Use your appointment calendar for
everything, including listing study time.
·
Use "to do" lists for both
long-term and for each day/week.
2. Plan
Ahead (Schedule it and it will happen!)
·
Determine how long your tasks will
take (do this before agreeing to take on a task!)
·
Consider whether any activities can
be combined.
·
Determine if big tasks can be broken
down into smaller tasks that may be easier to schedule (such as studying for
exams and visiting the library as part of an assignment to write a term paper).
3.
Prioritize Your Tasks
·
Use an A-B-C rating system for items
on your "to do" lists with A items being highest priority.
·
Set goals for both the short term
and long term as to what you want to accomplish.
·
Look at all of your "to
do" lists to gauge the time requirement and whether additional resources
will be needed to accomplish them (if yes, schedule time to obtain those
resources). Do not postpone the small tasks (a sense of accomplishment is good
and overlooked small tasks can become larger tasks.)
4. Avoid
Overload
·
Include time for rest, relaxation,
sleep, eating, exercise, and socializing in your schedule.
·
Take short breaks during study and
work periods.
·
Do not put everything off until the
last minute (for example, do not cram for exams).
·
Learn to say "no" when
appropriate and to negotiate better deadlines when appropriate.
5.
Practice Effective Study Techniques
·
Have an appropriate study
environment.
·
Split large tasks into more
manageable tasks.
·
Read for comprehension, rather than
just to get to the end of the chapter.
·
Be prepared to ask questions as they
come up during study, rather than waiting until just before an exam.
·
Do the most difficult work first,
perhaps breaking it up with some easier tasks.
·
Don't wait until the last minute to
complete your projects.
·
Read the syllabus as soon as you get
it and note all due dates (and "milestone" times) on your calendar.
·
Be a model student! (be attentive
and participative in class, and punctual, prepared, and eager to learn)
6. Be
Able to be Flexible
·
The unexpected happens (sickness,
car troubles, etc.); you need to be able to fit it into your schedule.
·
Know how to rearrange your schedule
when necessary (so it doesn't manage you - you manage it).a
·
Know who to ask for help when
needed.
7. Have a
Vision (why are you doing all of this?)
·
Don't forget the "big
picture" - why are you doing the task - is it important to your long-term
personal goals?
·
Have and follow a personal mission
statement (personal and career). (Are your activities ultimately helping you
achieve your goals?)
·
Know what is important to you. (What
do you value most?)
·
Have a positive attitude!
http://www.cob.sjsu.edu/nellen_a/time_management.htm