Time Management

This week we heard from Professor Wadsworth on Time Management. This being something I've struggled with for a long time, her lecture gave me some good ideas to take some first steps in managing my time effectively.

She had us list some of our roles:

• Student This includes doing my homework and striving for knowledge.
• Employee Doing all of my jobs on time and affirming other employees that I am an available resource. (Being organized and completing my jobs on time)
• Son/Brother Letting my family know that I love them, and setting a positive example. (Mostly communicating with home and doing what is good)
• Friend Showing love and care for my friends. Encouraging them to reach their potential and being there for them in times of need. (Sending letters, Making things for them, Socializing)
• Self Affirming my spirituality. Growing as a person. (Reading for pleasure, Assessing the "big picture" of my life.)
• Leader/Others Working on leadership opportunities and serving others.

Professor Wadsworth outlines how to cope with stress effectively by giving us a spectrum of effectively.

Low Stress (Lethargy/Low Performance) - - - Moderate Stress (High Motivation/Energy- High Performance) - - - High Stress (Panic/Indecision - Low Performance)

"We are so used to being reactive rather than proactive"

In order to cope with stress, we must first identify it. Sources of stress include relationships, family problems, financial problems, health problems, school problems, difficult decisions, and personal worry. I particularly enjoyed one insight she gay that went something like this "Society expects you from ages 18-25 to choose your major trajectory in life including a job, family, etc. when you're only 1/4 through your life. Of course you're going to be stressed!"

Negative things I do to cope with stress: procrastinating, sleeping (too much), eating unhealthy comfort foods, getting anger, or becoming despondent.

More healthy options to deal when I am overwhelmed is to: exercise, listen to music, talk with others, read, or do service.

Doing something constructive means you're not really wasting your time.

"If you wait for something to happen, I promise you, it won't happen" - This is something that I definitely need to work on! I live my life ignoring responsibilities under the false assumption that things will just happen. But in reality, they will not. I must determine my values, goals, objectives- and work toward accomplishing them.

Commenting on multi-tasking- Wadsworth said that "It's very ineffective to split your mind into different tasks". I think by putting all of my energy into one objective (capitalizing on my productivity cycle) then I will be able to get things done quicker and of greater worth.

The professor also gave some great potential solutions to the different tasks that we face in our lives. When dealing with an unpleasant task - I could do it right when it is assigned, or find someone else to help/work on it with. Overwhelming tasks - can be resolved by dividing them up and conquering them. She also noted that when you start these large tasks, ride the momentum. If there is an unclear goal then I must ask/seek for clarification and then define my own goals. (By sitting down and determining my own goals for an assignment, I think I could develop more will power and motivation to complete it because I've set an expectation for myself.)

"You outta feel proud of yourself when you accomplish something! Tell yourself good job!"

To up her presentation she gave a final quote that I thought was very true that I've never thought about before:

"If you have a happy life, it's not because you found it that way, it's because you MADE it that way."

These tips are very applicable to my life and my leadership role. Focusing on doing important work when it's not urgent but rather when I have scheduled in advance will greatly reduce that stress that comes with procrastination. Also, determining my goals about particular assignments will give me the direction and motivation that I need to do quality work.