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?

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: Drink enough water, eat well, take breaks.

Further Increasing Motivation GET SMART – SET SMART GOALS Specific - e.g. make notes on ch. 8 from 8-9pm Measurable - e.g. how many chapters revised each day Achievable – create action oriented steps within your control to get you there Realistic - achievable using the resources you’ve got Time-bound – set time limits; work backwards from deadline to identify these

Time Wasting Procrastination Drop in visits Telephone calls Checking s 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 B, use rewards to encourage the behaviour that you are avoiding, make it worthwhile to complete it. 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.