Time Management

Jill Barrett DIT Careers Service

Why have you come?

Exercise:

Brainstorm what issues arise for you with Time Management.

Self reflect – 2 mins and Share – 5 mins

Learning Objectives

 Goal Setting  Identifying and tackling Time Stealers

Time 168

“Life is what happens when we are busy doing other things!”

Unknown So, where does it all go?

Column I: List the amount of time you spend in weekly activities in hours Class time ______ Column II: Multiply your recurring daily activities by five (weekdays) or seven (weekly) to estimate the number of hours you engage in these recurring activities in a week Commuting/Travel time (multiplied by 5=) ______ Study Time Employment ______ ______ Meal preparation/eating (multiplied by 7=) Personal care (multiplied by 7=) ______ ______ Family ______ Sleep (multiplied by 7=) Exercise Regularly scheduled functions Socializing with friends ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ Leisure activities, clubs, hobbies, etc Chores and Errands Other

Total A:

______ ______ ______

______ Total B:

Total A + B=

Total C

: ______ hours There are 168 hours in a week. Subtract Total C from 168 = _____ Uncommitted hours (168 - total C)

______

MOTIVATION: Help yourself to achieve your goals and …. on time!



Set Rewards not Penalties



Make your study location a nice place to be:

Quiet location; free from interruption; comfortable chair; good desk; clear work-top; good light; window; well ventilated; comfortable temperature; plants help!



Other essentials:

take breaks.

Drink enough water, eat well,

Further Increasing Motivation

     GET SMART – SET SMART

S

pecific GOALS

e.g. make notes on ch. 8 from 8-9pm

M

easurable -

each day

A

chievable

– create action oriented steps within your control to get you there

R

ealistic

got e.g. how many chapters revised achievable using the resources you’ve

T

ime-bound –

set time limits; work backwards from deadline to identify these

Time Wasting

       Procrastination Drop in visits Telephone calls Checking e-mails Lack of clear communication Lack of organisation Laziness       Inability to say no Not using your “completer-finisher” skills Clutter/untidiness Not knowing what your KRAs are Fatigue No schedule

Procrastination

Identify it  Identify one activity you are currently putting off needlessly and want to start doing    Understand it Ask yourself what feelings (A) are supporting the procrastination. Then ask yourself what behaviours (B) are contributing to the procrastination. Finally ask yourself what thoughts (C) are contributing to your procrastination.

Procrastination – tips to tackle

  

By identifying the trigger

for procrastination you can begin to change it. When

A

is the problem,

relaxation

and other stress management techniques may enable you to sit with the feeling and proceed with the task. When the difficulty is at to complete it.

B

,

use rewards

to encourage the behaviour that you are avoiding, make it worthwhile Finally when

C

is the problem,

substitute your negative thoughts

that are causing the procrastination with positive self talk.

THE NIKE PRINCIPLE……

THIS ISN’T TO DO WITH GREEK GODS OR MYTHOLOGY…IT’S ….

JUST DO IT!

Schedule, schedule, schedule….

Why?

 Helps you focus    Realise how much time you

DO

have Gives time to subjects you don’t like Avoid “slacking”! –schedule tasks =likely to be completed

“A goal is a dream with a deadline”

Unknown

Why make a schedule cont..

 Ensures time for leisure & recreation!

 More manageable = More Enjoyable  Up to date on study = No last minute cramming !

Making your schedule

Academic Calendar:     Be familiar with it !

Enter important dates –mid term/exams/holidays Enter dates for assessment/papers/projects/social activities Post up where you will see it every day

Weekly schedule

 Projected weekly schedule - Fill in activities –classes, study times, appointments, family/social events  Actual weekly schedule - Evaluate & modify this.

REMEMBER: WE ALL MAKE LISTS!

THOSE WHO FEEL MOST SATISFIED WITH THEMSELVES AND ACHIEVE WHAT THEY NEED TO ARE THE ONES WHO MAKE TIME-BOUND LISTS AND STICK TO THEM! IT’S JUST A HEALTHY HABIT.