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Time Management
Goal Setting
The First Step in Time Management
Goals cover time spans:
1. Daily-To Do goals
2. Mini-Goals- monthly goals
3. Short Range- one semester goals
4. Medium Range- yearly goals
5. Long Range- four or five years
6. Lifestyle Goals- ultimate life goals/choices
Goals are:
POSITIVE
SPECIFIC
MODERATELY CHALLENGING
MEASURABLE
ATTAINABLE
My ultimate life goals are:
- In four/five years I see myself:
- One year from today, I will:
- At the end of this semester, I will:
- In one month I will:
- Today I will:
The meaning behind the decisions of the Daily To-Do List:
EXAMPLE:
A. Your lifestyle choices (ultimate goals) are to maintain your health, have a family and have a career in coaching.
B. You?re a full-time student and a member of the Track & Field Team. You will maintain your eligibility for your entire college experience. (four years)
C. In one year?s time you will have improved your running time by 3 seconds and your jumping length by 1 foot. (yearly)
D. By the end of this semester, you will have maintained your GPA, improved your running time by 1 second and your jumping length by 3 inches. (semester)
E. In one month, you will know your progress in each class, have spoken to each professor, have attended all practices, maintained a healthy diet, gotten sufficient sleep and rest and?-
F. So TODAY you must:
Daily TO-DO:
Set priorities and know WHY you have chosen the activity.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Time Management Tips
I. GETTING ORGANIZED
1. Monitoring Your Time
We are all given the same resource of time=168 hours per week. Find out how you are using your time. Use a calendar or a notebook, and write down intervals what you did with every 2 hours that period of time. This permits you to find out where your time is going.
2. To-Do List=Action List
Make a list of promises to yourself about what you are going to do for each day and for the week. This is a commitment that you are making to yourself that you will do what you say you will. You have 4 options with this list:
a. Do it now.
b. Get someone else to do it.
c. Schedule time to do it later.
d. Put it aside and come back to it later; this one is not recommended for items on the list that are important.
3. Daily or Weekly Planners
Include scheduled appointments, work, classes, labs, study time, free time, family time, etc.
4. Long Term Calendar
When you get your course syllabi, put important due dates and test dates on a semester calendar. Include dates when you plan to start studying for the test or writing the paper.
II. MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TIME (WORKING SMARTER, NOT HARDER)
1. Recognize your time bandits:
What are the things that keep you from doing what you planned(such as the TV or telephone)? Avoid these, and use them as a reward once you do what you planned.
2. Find a good study area:
Use a "Do Not Disturb" sign; turn off the TV and stereo; leave a message on our answering machine saying that you are studying and will call them back later.
3. Try to be somewhat flexible:
Go with what works the best for you. Discover your prime time when you have the most energy, and study your most difficult subject during this time, if possible.
4. Avoid marathon study sessions:
Study for 50-60 minutes, and then take a 5-10 minute (non TV) break.
5. Use waiting time:
Use time that you spend waiting for an appointment or your next class to review study cards, notes, or read.
6. Learn to say "NO":
Be assertive about protecting your planned time.
III. STARTING ON A LARGE PROJECT
1. Write your plan:
Make your plan answer questions such as: "When should I start?", "What should I do first?", "What resources do I have, and what do I need?", "How long will I need?"
2. Divide and Conquer:
Divide the project into manageable sections, and prepare a schedule for each section.
3. Prepare the work area:
Clear everything away except the material needed for the project. Have everything you need ready.
4. If you have started and are stuck:
a. Go back and do a different activity for a few minutes, such as proofreading what you have written, working on the bibliography, etc. Take a 5-10 minute break so that you can return to the project with a fresh perspective.
b. Change the environment; change rooms, go to the library.
IV. PROCRASTINATION
a. Human Nature-to put off what is overwhelming, painful, unpleasant or dislike/disagreeable or difficult task.
b. Lack of:
-self discipline to start when you should
-courage and tact to say no
-motivation to ensure the task is understood, monitored, and accomplished
-honesty to accepting responsibility for your actions
(SHOW & DISCUSS SOME STRATEGIES/TOOLS TO MANAGE PROCRASTINATION) Example: When given an assignment start it right away. Unfinished work is more motivating than unstarted work.
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