Chapter 3 Manage Your Time

Self-Management “It’s 7:30 am., I am late for class, and I can’t find my keys. It always seems like there’s too little time and too much to do. I feel as if I have no control over my life. How can I manage my time and get organized?” – Have you ever had a similar experience? – Do you ever spend hours looking for things? – Do you get angry at yourself and others because you feel frustrated and unorganized?

Self-Management Describe a time when you felt overwhelmed by too much to do and too little time.

Use Time Effectively 1. Where does your time go? – Where are you spending your time and energy? 2. Where should your time go?

Where Does Your Time Go? Committed Time: – Time devoted to school labs, studying, work, commuting, and other activities involving the immediate and long term goals you want to accomplish Maintenance Time: – Time you spend maintaining yourself (i.e. grooming, exercising, sleeping, etc) Discretionary Time: – Time you spend on the things you value. – How did you score on page 113?

Where Should Your Time Go? The first rule of time management is to make a commitment to what you want to accomplish-in other words, set goals. Set realistic goals regarding what you want to accomplish. – PEN 3.3 Goals

Setting Priorities Urgent Priorities: pressing, deadline-driven projects or activities, such as dropping a class, paying your fees, or turning in papers. They directly affect your goals. Important Priorities: essential activities that support your long-term goals and create the results you want-not just for today, but for your future success. – Examples: attending class, completing hw, planning, exercising, etc.

Setting Priorities Ongoing Activities: require continual attention and may be urgent, but they may not be important. – Going through your , answering phone calls, etc. Trivial Activities: daily activities, such as talking on the phone with a friend, etc.

The 80/20 Rule 80% of interruptions come from 20% of people you know. 80% of the clothes you wear come from 20% of your closet. 80% of your phone calls come from 20% of the people you know.

Time Management Strategies 1. Keep a Calendar. – Review your calendar each week and schedule important activities. 2. Create a daily to do list. – Start with the urgent items first. 3. Do the tough tasks first. – Start with the difficult tasks first since you are still fresh. 4. Break projects into smaller tasks. – Break projects down into manageable tasks.

Time Management Strategies 5. Consolidate Smaller Tasks – Group similar tasks. For example, make all phone calls at the same time. 6. Study at your high energy time 7. Study everywhere and anywhere. – If you are waiting for something, study. 8. Study in short segments throughout the day. 9. Get organized.

Time Management Strategies 10. Be flexible, patient, and persistent. – Don’t get discouraged. Strive for excellence not perfection. 11. Realize you can’t do it all. – Consider delegating certain tasks.

Time Management & Your Learning Style If you are right brained, you may want to: – Focus on a few tasks – Write it down – Use Visuals such as stickies. – What are some strategies you have used to manage your time?

Overcoming Obstacles Let’s review page 114

Overcoming Obstacles Stop Procrastinating!!! – Procrastination: deliberately putting off tasks. – What are some things you have to do that you tend to procrastinate with? – There are many reasons for procrastination. Some people prefer to do things they like Other people are worriers and get weighed down or overwhelmed with the task. Why do you procrastinate?

Overcoming Obstacles To avoid procrastination: – 1. Set daily priorities – 2. Break the project into smaller tasks. – 3. Gather everything you will need to start your project. – 4. Focus for short spurts. – 5. Surround yourself with supportive people. – 6. Tackle difficult tasks during you high energy time. – 7. Develop a positive attitude – 8. Reward yourself. – 9. Don’t expect perfection.

Control Interruptions Interruptions steal your time. They cause you to stop working on projects, disrupt your thoughts, divert your attention, and build your momentum again. – What are some of the biggest interruptions you have?

Control Interruptions To control interruptions: – 1. Create an organized place to study. – 2. Determine your optimal time to study. – 3. Create quiet time. – 4. Study in the library. – 5. Do the first things first. – 6. Just say no.

Juggling Family, School, & Work How do you juggle family, school, & work? What are some of the issues you have encountered?

Juggling Family, School, & Work 1. Be flexible. 2. Communicate with your family. 3. Delegate and Develop. 4. Find a good daycare. 5. Prepare the night before. 6. Use your school’s resources. 7. Communicate with your employer. 8. Look into online classes. 9. Increase your energy by focusing on relaxing activities. 10. Create positive time. 11. Model positive behavior. 12. Balance your life.

Online Learning Taking online classes can be very appealing, especially if you are juggling other demands. However, you do need to be self motivated.

Tips for Online Classes 1. Keep up on the coursework. 2. Know the technology required. 3. Communicate with the instructor. 4. Communicate with other students. 5. Check the school’s tips. 6. Watch for announcements. 7. Print out essential information. 8. Sign in early. 9. Have a computer “Plan B.” 10. Don’t cheat.

Group Work!!!! Create a list of things you can begin to do to better manage your time Complete pages 111 and 115.