UNIV1101

STRATEGIES FOR TIME MANAGEMENT AND STRESS

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

Nine Time Management Skills to Develop

TIME MANAGEMENT

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

WHY TIME MANAGEMENT IS IMPORTANT

BAD TIME MANAGEMENT = STRESS

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