Before using this process, I used to prioritze things, but it often left me with so many things left undone. I would start by doing a big project that took forever, and in the end, I had no energy to do all the little tasks. However, this week, I did all the little two minute tasks (big or small) and then tackled the more time consuming projects. I probably spent the same amount of time, but got many more things accomplished.
I started by writing everything down on paper with a pencil because this allowed me to take my tasks with me throughout the day. This week, I needed to grade BCR/ECR's, turn in tests to be scanned, grade quizzes, enter grades, call parents, create lessons, do school work, meet with colleagues and students, email principals, translate a speech, set up for an opening ceremony for my second job, and do laundry. And, most things had a deadline of Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
This week, I gave 15 minutes to either respond, send, or mark emails. Unlike most weeks, I didn't have an endless list of emails that needed further action. If they needed something small, I responded and deleted the email rather than read and mark for further action. I couldn't believe how short the list was in my inbox.
For all the things that needed to be done for the opening ceremony, I was able to defer until after school on Friday because it didn't need to be done until Saturday morning. Although it was not difficult, I needed the time to focus on the things that were due by Thursday and Friday.
For my technology class, I went through the information and labs, and set up the twitter account, but I deferred some/most of the tasks until Sunday when I could give it my attention.
On Thursday, I gave tests and quizzes in all my classes, and I was able to grade them all by Friday mid-morning. While the later periods took their quizzes, I graded and filled in scantrons for the tests from the morning classes. Since I only had two problems to grade per quiz, I knew that it could all be done within two class period, sharing my time between grading and walking around the classroom. I did it without hesitation, while I usually just defer grading them because I just don't enjoy it. This time, I set my personal feelings aside and accomplished something; giving me a much better feeling in the end.
I found that when I am mindful of choosing a process to accomplish things, they get done. Too often I defer things that could easily be done and I find myself with a mountain of little things to do that has turned into a "big" thing. I will continue to use this process in all aspects of my life because regardless of the task it is still taking from the same pot of time.
I wonder if putting off things is just human nature! In the past I would alternate between super organized to very laid back. I find that I follow a similar procedure as the one you designed for yourself in this exercise. I found it best this year to compartmentalize my life - putting aside time for house, school, MSU, and family. Once the time runs out - I move onto the next compartment. As you mentioned in your post - this type of schedule allows you to get quite a lot of work accomplished in a very short time.
ReplyDeleteI haven't learned how to compartmentalize things. Everything just overlaps. I think if I had children or if my husband wasn't doing work for this class with me, I would have to better organize my time. Given that we do so many things together and understand each other's journey, we have learned how to work at the same time on the same things and when to put things aside for quality husband-wife time. It's 8:00 and I'm putting everything down to spend time with my husband, he has patiently been waiting on me to finish my planning for work.
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