Time management skills are essential in today's rapidly moving society. It is my goal to explore some basic time management strategies with the hopes of finding 1 hour per day to use at my leisure. I plan to track my progress along this journey via blog posts. Finally, I will be able to self-assess in order to determine what strategies work best for me, personally.
I have decided to take on this project because I often feel like there isn't enough time in a day. Additionally, I know that procrastination certainly isn't the only contributor to this feeling. Last week, I read a blog post on webtrafficroi.com that listed 3 "simple" practices to manage time effectively. However, prior to following the strategies listed on this website, I decided to employ one strategy that I heard about through another source. That strategy was to write down everything that I have to do for the day, prioritize them, and eliminate things that aren't necessary. Well, I knew right off hand that everything on my list has to be done. Therefore, the elimination strategy would not work.
Nevertheless, here is my list (Monday-Friday with variations on Mondays and Wednesdays):
I have decided to take on this project because I often feel like there isn't enough time in a day. Additionally, I know that procrastination certainly isn't the only contributor to this feeling. Last week, I read a blog post on webtrafficroi.com that listed 3 "simple" practices to manage time effectively. However, prior to following the strategies listed on this website, I decided to employ one strategy that I heard about through another source. That strategy was to write down everything that I have to do for the day, prioritize them, and eliminate things that aren't necessary. Well, I knew right off hand that everything on my list has to be done. Therefore, the elimination strategy would not work.
Nevertheless, here is my list (Monday-Friday with variations on Mondays and Wednesdays):
- 6:00 AM - Awake
- 6-6:45 - Shower/Dress
- 6-:45 - 7:15 - Cook breakfast for kids and Mom, prepare and pack lunches
- 7:15-7:45 - Make sure kids are ready for school, comb daughter's hair
- 7:45-8:15 - Clean up kitchen
- 8:15 - 9:00 - Take kids to school (Menifee and Murrieta)
- 9:00 - 10:30 - Return home, provide care for Mom
- 10:30 - 1:45 - Work
- 1:45- 2:15 - Grab lunch
- 2:15 - 2:50 - Wait at school or afternoon pickup (daughter)
- 2:50 - 2:58 - Afternoon pickup (son)
- 3:30 - 5:30 - Prepare and cook dinner, provide care for Mom
- 6:00 - 7:00 - Eat dinner
- 7:00 - 8:00 - Clean the kitchen
- 8:00 - 9:30 - Go over homework, help with questions about homework (sometimes my own too), provide care for Mom
- 9:30 - 10:00 - Watch the news, everyone is in bed (hopefully)
Reflection Week 2:
Today I read an article on Forbes.com that talked about various tools for improving time management. According to the numbered list:
1. Start with a daily plan 2. Be ruthless (know how to say "No") 3. Put it all in a calendar 4. Go off the grid and embrace waiting time
5. Take breaks 6. Let go of perfection
For me, the most eye opening was the tip about learning how to let go of perfection. I have now realized that I spend too much time on one project which causes me to have too few time for others. Therefore, I have started setting a time limit for completing task. Next, is learning to say "No." I'm still working through this one.
Reflection Week 3:
In my own analysis of time management, I have learned that it is also a good idea to ask for help. I never feel comfortable asking for help which causes me to take on everything alone. This week, my husband was home more than he has been in weeks. In addition, my sisters are in town to help care for my mother. Therefore, they were able to help me to perform various tasks. In addition to this, I took the advice from the Forbes.com article by practicing how to let go of perfection. I set a time limit for most tasks and stuck to it. This tip proved to be very effective. I was able to move through my day at a steady pace with little stress about what I might not be able to do. Next, I'm thinking about creating a chart that breaks down the categories of my tasks and add the percentages of time I should devote to it.
In my own analysis of time management, I have learned that it is also a good idea to ask for help. I never feel comfortable asking for help which causes me to take on everything alone. This week, my husband was home more than he has been in weeks. In addition, my sisters are in town to help care for my mother. Therefore, they were able to help me to perform various tasks. In addition to this, I took the advice from the Forbes.com article by practicing how to let go of perfection. I set a time limit for most tasks and stuck to it. This tip proved to be very effective. I was able to move through my day at a steady pace with little stress about what I might not be able to do. Next, I'm thinking about creating a chart that breaks down the categories of my tasks and add the percentages of time I should devote to it.
Reflection Week 4:
Overall, my quest to explore options for time management has been very eye opening for me. The tip that I found less effective for me in my situation was keeping a daily log of things that I have to do. I found this less helpful because it interfered with me getting things done. I think the possibilities for success are greater with this method if you are able to actively journal. At some point, you would be able to go over your log and make the necessary adjustments. The tips that I found most helpful for me was prioritizing, learning how to say "no," and learning to let go of perfection. This week, I was able to feel more relaxed because I started my day with the time management tactic of prioritizing my day. I didn't spend my day agonizing over what needed to be done, I completed the most taxing tasks first. Then, I did not overextend myself by taking on any additional tasks. I realize that being helpful is a great characteristic; however, helping another person should not impede on your obligations. Lastly, I let go of perfection (a little bit). I didn't worry so much about how perfect things were. Although I made a conscious effort not to strive for perfection, I still completed tasks with a fair amount of devotion and effort. In addition, when I was able to give a little bit extra, I did so without stress.
In conclusion, when I selected this topic for my Genius Hour Project, I never thought about the lasting effects. Time management is so important. As a future teacher, time management can make a huge difference in your ability to effectively lead your students. How can I expect my students to submit timely assignments and meet multiple deadlines when I am struggling to complete tasks? My goal as a teacher is to exemplify what I expect from my students. Therefore, this was the perfect topic for me to explore.
Overall, my quest to explore options for time management has been very eye opening for me. The tip that I found less effective for me in my situation was keeping a daily log of things that I have to do. I found this less helpful because it interfered with me getting things done. I think the possibilities for success are greater with this method if you are able to actively journal. At some point, you would be able to go over your log and make the necessary adjustments. The tips that I found most helpful for me was prioritizing, learning how to say "no," and learning to let go of perfection. This week, I was able to feel more relaxed because I started my day with the time management tactic of prioritizing my day. I didn't spend my day agonizing over what needed to be done, I completed the most taxing tasks first. Then, I did not overextend myself by taking on any additional tasks. I realize that being helpful is a great characteristic; however, helping another person should not impede on your obligations. Lastly, I let go of perfection (a little bit). I didn't worry so much about how perfect things were. Although I made a conscious effort not to strive for perfection, I still completed tasks with a fair amount of devotion and effort. In addition, when I was able to give a little bit extra, I did so without stress.
In conclusion, when I selected this topic for my Genius Hour Project, I never thought about the lasting effects. Time management is so important. As a future teacher, time management can make a huge difference in your ability to effectively lead your students. How can I expect my students to submit timely assignments and meet multiple deadlines when I am struggling to complete tasks? My goal as a teacher is to exemplify what I expect from my students. Therefore, this was the perfect topic for me to explore.
Genius Hour TED Talk
Time Management