Personal Management Skills Refer to the Healthcenter21 Course Guide for more information about editing teacher presentations.

Time Management A set of skills that helps people to be efficient and productive with their time. Using time management skills Reduces stress Maintain proper perspective on jobs/lives. Time management strategies include: Using appropriate tools. Setting goals. Making a time management plan. Time Management Careers in health care are often stressful and demanding. Health care workers must learn to manage their time properly in order to become effective employees. Time management is a set of skills that helps people to be efficient and productive with their time. By using time management skills, health care workers can reduce their stress and maintain proper perspective on their jobs and lives. Time management strategies include: Using appropriate tools. Setting goals. Making a time management plan.

Time Management Tools Time management tools: daily planners calendars report sheets. Keep track of appointments, meetings, and deadlines. Reveal when scheduling conflicts have occurred. Time Management Tools All health care workers should use time management tools to stay organized. Time management tools include daily planners, calendars, and report sheets. A report sheet is a list of required tasks given to a health care worker by a supervisor. These tools allow health care workers to keep track of all appointments, meetings, and deadlines. In addition, planners and calendars reveal when scheduling conflicts have occurred. Organization is an essential trait for all health care workers. Time management tools will help health care workers develop organizational skills professionally and personally.

Set Goals Health care workers can set goals to help manage their time. Steps to set a goal: Define the goal clearly. Write down the goal. Set realistic goals. Set Goals Health care workers can set goals to help manage their time. A goal is a desired result or purpose. When a health care worker knows that a task must be accomplished by a certain time or date, the worker can make this task a goal and then take the steps needed to complete it. Health care workers can take the following steps to set a goal: Define the goal clearly: State the goal specifically and precisely. Use positive words, such as “accomplish” and “complete” instead of “avoid” and “not.” Also, set a time limit for the goal. Write down the goal: Write all goals in a journal or planner. Writing down a goal makes it seem real and attainable. Set realistic goals: Goals must present a challenge, but they should not be too difficult or impossible to achieve.

Time Management Plan An effective time management plan includes: Prioritize Identify habits Schedule tasks Make a “to do “ list Plan ahead. Avoid distractions. Recognize achievements Time Management Plan When faced with a busy or stressful day, health care workers can use a time management plan to make the most efficient use of time. An effective time management plan may include the following techniques: Prioritize: Review the tasks that must be accomplished and decide which are the most important. List the tasks in order from most important to least important. Identify habits: Examine your personal habits. Is there a time of day when you tend to be most productive? Whenever possible, plan to do difficult tasks during your most productive hours. Schedule tasks: Use a daily planner, calendar, or report sheet to record tasks. Be sure to include time for meals. Whenever there is a scheduling conflict, prioritize the items and reschedule. Make a “to do” list: Write a “to do” list each day. Each time you complete a task, cross it off. If items are left at the end of the day, decide if the items can be eliminated or if they should be added to another day’s list. Plan ahead: Some tasks require preparation. Be sure to have all items ready before you begin a task. In addition, dress appropriately for a job and ask for help when needed. Avoid distractions: Distractions prevent a person from completing a task. Distractions may include telephone calls, unexpected visitors, and less important tasks. Identify the items that distract you the most, and plan ways to avoid them. Recognize achievement: When you complete a difficult task, take time to recognize your achievement. You may want to reward yourself with a short break.

Evaluate and Reevaluate Even with careful planning, goals and tasks may not always be accomplished. Whenever goals and tasks are not accomplished, health care workers must determine the reason for the failure. Health care workers can use experiences from failed attempts to become more effective workers. Evaluate and Reevaluate Even with careful planning, goals and tasks may not always be accomplished. Emergencies and unexpected tasks often occur in health care facilities. Health care workers must be flexible and willing to adapt their schedules. Whenever goals and tasks are not accomplished, health care workers must determine the reason for the failure. Did an unexpected event require a schedule adjustment? Was the task or goal unrealistic? Was time wasted on a less important task? After the cause of the failure is evaluated, the health care worker can reevaluate tasks and adjust goals. Health care workers can use experiences from failed attempts to become more effective workers.

Problem Solving Problem solving is the ability to analyze a situation and reach a reasonable conclusion. This skill requires looking at the big picture and combining factual knowledge with creative thinking. Problem Solving The difference between an average health care worker and an excellent health care worker is often the ability to solve problems. Excellent health care workers use problem solving skills to find solutions that are not always obvious. Problem solving is the ability to analyze a situation and reach a reasonable conclusion. This skill requires looking at the big picture and combining factual knowledge with creative thinking.

Steps to Problem Solving Identify the problem Be specific, stick to the problem Confront the issue not the person Be objective List all alternatives Generate as many as possible Consider all possibilities No evaluating of any kind Write down every idea

Steps to Problem Solving Evaluate the possible solutions Which one meets needs, goals Identify all possible outcomes-good or bad Choose best action Rank ideas according to greatest potential for success Compromise Take action: establish goals, evaluate progress, make changes