strategies for time management and stress
TRANSCRIPT
Adult learners tend to have multiple commitments and responsibilities.
Time management and making priorities are critical skills to learn.
THE TIME CRUNCH
Defined as: the development of processes and tools that aid a person to more productivity and efficiency in achieving personal and professional goals.
Time Management skills include Setting clear goals Planning processes and resources to achieve goals Decisions to prioritizing goals Scheduling activities and Identifying resources Identify potential obstacles and problems Keep track of your TIME
TIME MANAGEMENT
Yesterday is historyTomorrow is a mysteryBut today is a gift from
God
That is why it is called the
PRESENT
THE PRESENT
Specific When a goal is to vague, you may never know how to reach it or even
when you have reached it. Make sure that you know exactly what you hope to achieve
Measurable When you have a goal that is measureable, you will know how far you
have to go to reach the goal, and when you get there
Achievable When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to
figure out ways you can make them come true.
Realistic A goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing
and able to work towards
Time-Bound A goal should be grounded within a time frame. With no time frame
tied to it there's no sense of urgency.
TMS #1: SET GOALS (SMART)
Do Determine from the list of things you think are most important
to accomplish, and are things you should do yourself Delegate
Recognize that some things are better handled by others. Delegating not only frees up your time for other things, it ensures that resources are used wisely
Delay Some things can wait. The best policy here is to consider WHEN
things are due, HOW LONG it will take to accomplish them, and WHAT your current workload will allow
Delete If you have set goals using the guidelines mentioned earlier,
you may recognize that some of them are not achievable or realistic, or that they are just not important. Know when to concentrate on the important and eliminate the rest
TMS #2: PRIORITIZE
Allocate time to plan and schedule activities and tasks
Build in “Safe Time” Use a daily, weekly, and monthly “To-
do List” Identify and schedule resources BUT be flexible in scheduling Maintain a journal of time lost
TMS #3: ORGANIZE WITH PLANS & SCHEDULES
As you prioritize tasks and set deadlines, you will want to organize your plans and actions.
Some people may like using forms that use paper and pencil such as planners and/or calendars. Many planners contain not only calendar space, but also room for daily activities, contact information, and “to do” lists
Some people may like using a computer. Today’s computers often come equipped with software programs that include calendars, task list, reminders, and contact information. There are also places online that will do similar functions such as Google Calendar
Other options include personal digital assistant (PDA) or smart phone
PLANS & SCHEDULES
Stay focused on your goals You may have many commitments and many concerns, but
you will accomplish more when you keep focused on the one task you are performing at the moment
Tune out interruptions You will find your concentration is at its highest level when
you can set aside times during the day when you will not answer the phone or schedule visitors. You can’t isolate yourself all of the time, but by avoiding interruptions for a specific period of time, you may find you can accomplish tasks successfully in far less time that you anticipated.
Find a “Safe Place” This is your place that is set aside for specific tasks. This is
all that you do in this location to help reduce the chance of be distracted by other duties.
TMS #4: CONCENTRATE ON THE TASK AT HAND
Acknowledge that you cannot do everything
Do not undertake activities or tasks you cannot complete
Remain focused and consistent to your goals
TMS #5: LEARN WHEN TO SAY “NO”
Develop DISCIPLINE to do what is RIGHT
Understand desired outcome for a task or activity
However, avoid being a PERFECTIONIST TIME is lost when we do things
incorrectly, which adds to our STRESS
TMS #6: DO THE RIGHT THINGS RIGHT
Develop Discipline Focus on GOALS Use your Plan and Schedule If you DO NOT KNOW, then ASK for help
TMS #7: CONQUER PROCRASTINATION
When are you at your mental peak? Very early morning? Morning? Noon? Evening? Late at night?
TMS #8: CONSIDER YOUR PERSONAL PRIME TIME
Most research shows that tasks that take the most mental concentration are most effectively accomplished early in the day, but even these studies acknowledge that this is not always true, and that everyone has a “personal prime time.”
When you plan your tasks think about your “prime time.” If you do your best work early, plan to do the routine tasks later in the day and concentrate on the more challenging tasks when you are at your best. If you don’t really get going until later, handle the routines in the morning and save the more difficult tasks for later.
PERSONAL PRIME TIME
Have you ever thought about how much time you spend doing nothing during an average day?
Usually this is not a situation where you planned to do nothing, it just happened.
Think about all of the things you could accomplish if you could make use of this time.
TMS #9: USE YOUR WAITING TIME
On public transportation At the doctor’s office When you are “on hold” on the
telephone Waiting in line When you are early
WAITING TIME
There are two ways to look at these periods of time. “wastes of time” “gifts of time”
If you choose to think of them as gifts of time, you can us them as opportunities to accomplish routine tasks that are necessary, but don’t require large periods of time.
WAITING TIME
Celebrate your success! Celebrate the achievement of your
goals to maintain a healthy balance in life between work and play. Reward yourself when you complete a task or finish a project.
REWARD YOUR GOAL SUCCESS
What stresses you to the point that you become your own worst person?
What current interventions(s), if any, do you use to reduce stress?
Are those interventions successful, or does the stress find itself back in your life?
What part of your stress is external to your life, and what part of your stress is internal to yourself?
QUESTIONS TO ASK
Defined as: Stress is the mind and body’s response to a “change” or “demand” that requires a physical, mental, or emotional adjustment or response. Stress emerges from any situation or thought that
makes a person respond with frustration, anger, nervousness, and/or anxiety
Stressors occur when a person perceives that demands exceed a person’s abilities
There are two types of stressors: Eustress – good stress that promotes growth Distress – bad, negative or destructive stress
STRESS
Positive stress promotes growth: Physical Mental Emotional Spiritual
The individual, demands (time), and abilities
College is designed to “stress” you, but in a way that causes growth
STRESS IS NECESSARY FOR GROWTH
Manage your time Acknowledge ALL your demands in
your: Work Family School Personal Life
Use “Strategic Abandonment” as a means to reduce outdated or unnecessary demands
MEANS TO MANAGE DISTRESS
Schedule your life activities Do not forget to add physical exercise to your
activities Exercise reduces mental stress
Look ahead and plan ahead Adjust plans when “unavoidable” life events
occur Inform your family of your plans – because
they may have plans too Stay close and trust in God-pray for guidance
BALANCE YOUR LIFE ACTIVITIES
Read the course syllabus Purchase course text books early and READ
required materials If a research paper is required, contact your
professor for advance guidance If there are weekly homework assignments,
begin assignments early in the week UNDERSTAND how family and work
obligations affect your course work schedule You DO NOT DO your best work in the “last
minute”
TIME MANAGEMENT SUGGESTIONS TO REDUCE SCHOOL WORK STRESS