How to manage your time Iftach

Why manage time? The shortage problem (Economics 101) “Are these meetings worth my time”?

The four quadrants important unimportan t urgent not urgent I II IV III

The four quadrants important unimportan t urgent not urgent I II IV III Lab fire Tomorrow’s grant deadline Ongoing experiments Prepare for committee mtg Next month’s grant deadline “You’ve got mail” Ringing phone Inquiring colleague most most web browsing weekend plans of lab members

If you neglect quadrant II important unimportan t urgent not urgent I II IV III

Four generations of time management 1’st generation : notes; ToDo lists 2’nd generation: calendars, appointment books 3’rd generation: setting goals; prioritization

These mostly prioritize I+III important unimportan t urgent not urgent I II IV III How do we know what is “important”?

4’th generation roles goalsscheduleadapt Don’t prioritize your schedule; Schedule your priorities!

4’th generation roles goalsscheduleadapt self spouse parent PI – lab PI- TAU “citizen” PI - lecturer social circuit

Goal types Long term goals – several years – Get tenure/professorship Intermediate term goals – 6 – 12 months – Complete a publishable chunk – Obtain preliminary results – Put together a new course Short term goals – 1-4 weeks – Complete an experiment – prepare figures for paper

4’th generation roles goalsscheduleadapt 1-2 per week/role

The rocks in the jar The point is: unless you put the big rocks in first, you won't get them in at all.

4’th generation roles goalsscheduleadapt weekly

4’th generation roles goalsscheduleadapt daily

What about your students? Should you define their roles? goals? Help them define their tasks?

Efficiency / buying time Easier to say “no” when you already said “yes” Disconnect – Control – Close door – Close lab door Know your biological clock Make appointments with yourself Delegate work (P vs. PC)

Resources “The seven habits of highly effective people” (Habit 3) – Stephen Covey “Making the Right Moves” – A practical guide to scientific management for postdocs and new faculty (BWF/HHMI)