1. Managing Your Time: Maximizing Your Potential Presented by Jeff Becker LCSW-C, CEAP MCPS Employee Assistance Program 240-314-1040

3. What Do We Do With Our Lives Spend –27 years sleeping –3.3 years eating –5 months waiting at traffic lights –8 months opening unwanted mail –1 year looking for misplaced objects –2 years attempting to return phone calls –4 years doing housework –5 years waiting in lines –13.8 years working –Watching TV (% of leisure time: males-39%, females 37%) –Social time/surfing on computer?

4. Workshop Goals Analyze your present use of time Identify barriers to effective time management Examine priorities, values and their relationship to managing time Learn effective methods for improved time management

5. MCPS Employee Assistance Program Short term counseling, assessment and referral Cost Eligibility Problem types Referrals (self, supervisor and other) Confidentiality/records Other services: workshops, crisis response, newsletter, access point to mediation Times/location

7. Fill out your to-do lists! (No more than 8 items – can include tasks from both work and home.)

8. What are your biggest time management challenges?

9. Best Strategy: Let’s share!

10. Time Management Strategies Put 80% of effort into top 20% of responsibilities Avoid perfectionism/procrastination Structuring/organizing usual and occasional tasks Learn to say “no” to unreasonable requests Organize/schedule activities on the basis of your priorities

11. 80/20 or Pareto Principle Sorting the critical few from the trivial many What are the 2-3 most important things you do? Vilfredo Pareto 1848 - 1923

12. Inspiration “If you can dream it, you can do it” Walt Disney Disneyland was built in 366 days, from ground-breaking to first day open to the public.

13. Procrastination Video

14. Procrastination Putting off what needs to be done in a way that results in consequences Causes? What to do: –Recognize it – how do you know? –Address why you’re putting it off (unpleasant? difficult?) –Get over it! (create a reward; think about the consequences; have someone check on you; break into smaller units)

15. Perfectionism When is it a problem? Why is it done? –A form of procrastination; to avoid criticism/rejection; inability to sort priorities What to do: –What’s the standard? Is it OK not to get an “A”? What else could you be doing?

16. Structuring and Organizing Usual and Occasional Tasks “Systems are better than brains” Cooking shows What are some repetitive tasks? –Student work; Parent meetings; The classroom; Print and non-print materials; Lesson plans, etc.

17. Saying No – Setting Limits Why is it hard to say “no”? Don’t catch the ball! Think before you respond. –If you are sure you need to say “no”, say it sooner than later. How should one say no? –Create alternatives if possible. Can you do part of the request ?

18. Values and Priorities

19. Values Accomplishment Travel Peace of mind Security Good health Financial security Family Spirituality Altruism Friendship Longevity Free time

20. “Happiness comes when activities align with values, not from one’s ability to control things and be efficient”. Stephen Covey

21. Steven Covey and Prioritizing: The Big Rock

22. Prioritizing (Covey Model) Urgent Not Urgent Important Not Important III IIIIV

23. I. Urgent and Important Crisis Pressing problem Deadline driven projects Preparation for imminent events

24. II. Important /Not Urgent Preparation for future events Values clarification Increasing personal skills and growth Relationship building Healthy recreation Anticipate and prevent problems

26. III. Not Important/Appears Urgent Interruptions to planned work time Some meetings Other people’s priorities and expectations

27. IV. Not Urgent/Not Important Trivia and busywork Junk mail Some phone calls Escape activities Time wasters

28. Article Exercise: Organization Prioritizing Prep time Grouping activities Bringing too much work home Nine Ways to Save Time

29. …..and finally Learn To Say No Take Care Of Yourself Focus On What You Have Control Over Practice Stress Management Techniques Know The EAP Is A Support For You

30. Thanks for coming! For more information about the EAP, contact us at 240-314-1040 or visit our website at http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/departments/eap http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/departments/eap