Free Essay

Time Management

In:

Submitted By ebywaters1
Words 5496
Pages 22
This workbook is a companion to the video training available at http://ncu.attackyourday.net.

You will need at least 30 minutes a day for 5 consecutive days to complete this workbook. The entire workbook, including viewing the video, will take you approximately 10 hours to complete, so plan accordingly.

You will upload this entire workbook for your Mentor. Your content grade will be based on evidence that you completed the training; there are no right or wrong answers.

BYWATERSEE8001-2

[pic]

Before you get started, please answer these questions. Be honest with yourself.

1. Have you completed a formal time management training course in the past? Yes No If yes, what program?

2. Do you have a plan for scheduling the 10-15 hours per week you will need to engage in learning activities? Yes No Maybe

3. On a scale from 1-7, how effective do you think you are at managing your time, with 1 being not at all effective, 3 somewhat effective, and 7 completely effective? Select the choice that is closest to where you are now.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Not at all-------------------------------------Somewhat------------------------------------Completely

4. Thinking about the last 30 days, how frequently have you experienced anxiety or stress due to not having enough time to get everything done?

1-never 2-occasionally 3-frequently 4-most days 5-every day

If you have not yet watched the Welcome! video, please do so now.

Introduction Section

Watch the Introduction Video (Duration 9:15) Completed

1. This workshop will teach you 5 skills: Choosing, Arranging, Flexicuting, Tracking and Focus. Which skill are you most interested in learning and why?

FOCUS is the skill that I am most interested in. This is due to the fact that I have a large extended family and my house is usually full of family members despite the fact that I do not have children of my own. These family members tend to overstay and it makes it a bit difficult for me to focus on my work at home and entertain them at the same time.

2. What time management tools do you currently use?

At the moment, I use my cell phone and laptop computer in combination with Google.

3. Do you consider yourself a multi-tasker?

Yes No Sometimes

4. Do you currently start each day with an action list or to-do list?

Yes No Sometimes

MENTOR’S COMMENTS/FEEDBACK

Track Your Time

Track your time for two days Day One Day Two

Once you have watched the introductory video, track your time for two consecutive days. Do this before watching the next video. You will find the time tracking worksheets at the back of this workbook in the Appendix: Track Your Investment of Time (note that you cannot type information into these sheets). Please print them and carry them with you filling them in throughout your day. You will not turn these into your Mentor, but the exercise does need to be completed in order to answer other questions in the workbook.

Choosing

Watch the Skill of Choosing Video (Duration 10:51) Completed

This video focuses on the skill of choosing. You will be asked to write down events that fit in different categories (red, green, yellow, and gray). The video asks you to consider work and personal domains. If you are not in the workforce, then focus on the personal domain (after all, continuing your education is a personal goal!).

1. Write down as many RED activities (true urgencies) that you can imagine in 3 minutes.

Homework, Chinese Embassy, packing for China, Driver’s License renewal.

2. Write down as many GREEN activities (go here) that you can imagine in 3 minutes.

Movie with my best friend Ure, family dinner, walking, date, reading, exercising.

3. Write down as many YELLOW activities (caution - reschedule) that you can imagine in 3 minutes.

Text goodbye notes, email goodbye notes, Messenger chats of goodbyes, routine dental checkup.

4. Write down at least 3 GRAY activities (time wasters) that you can remove from your life and free up more time for your course work.

Candy crash, TV, internet surfing, gossiping with my female friends.

5. Refer to your time tracking sheets and designate each activity you tracked as red, green, yellow or gray. Add up the amount of time you spent in each color for both days and then divide by 2 to get an “average” over the 2 days. Input your results in hours:

RED - 5 hours
GREEN – 3 hours
YELLOW - 2 hours
GRAY - 2 hours

6. How do you think coloring your choices will help free up the time you will need for pursuing your degree?

I will definitely focus on RED choices instead of wasting my time on GRAY choices, for example. I used to rationalize and say things like, Candy Crash relaxes me. But I realize now that instead of that kind of relaxation, I can easily relax by reading one of my books for my program.

MENTOR’S COMMENTS/FEEDBACK

Arranging

Watch the Skill of Arranging Video (Duration 8:33) Completed

This video focuses on the skill of arranging. You might want to download and print the handout (Interruptions Filter Question) in the downloads tab and hang it in a few visible places.

1. List 5 activities currently on your to-do list and color them.

Activity: Return to the PRC Embassy Priority Color: Red
Activity: Laundry Priority Color: Red
Activity: Packing Priority Color: Yellow
Activity: Movies Priority Color: Green
Activity: Facebook Priority Color: Gray

2. Commit to planning your day. What is your plan? (Include the time management tool you will use, when you will plan your day, etc). Using my Google Calendar on my cell phone, this is my plan:
7:00 am – 9:00 am Chinese Embassy
10:00 am – 12:00 pm Laundry
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Packing
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm movies
9:00 pm – 10:00 pm facebook

3. Plan your day for the next 3 days. You can use the Activity Game available as a PDF download under the Arranging video and Downloads tab, or any time management tool you already use. You will not turn this into your Mentor. Once you have planned your day for 3 consecutive days using your new time management skills, write a short reflection on this exercise for your Mentor here.

I can already tell the difference in outcomes when I prioritize my activities. I am very happy to be using this new tool of color coordination because I am able to dismiss gray activities and not miss the latter at all. As a result, I am ready for my trip to China, scheduled for September 9, 2015. My homework is definitely RED and top priority for me. To avoid family disruptions, I have been doing my homework 2 – 4 am. Once in China, I will adjust since I will be alone. Because of my prioritizing and putting my school work first, even though I lost my assignment by thinking I saved it on PDF, I was able to redo everything on WORDS on time. Otherwise, things would have not worked out.

4. Now, look over for the next month and write down the due dates and corresponding dates and times you will be preparing for the next 3 activities. Submit your plan here.
Assignment # 6 – Due Oct. 4 – Plan: work two hours daily 9/28, 29, 30, 10/1, 10/2.
Assignment # 7 – Due Oct.11– Plan: work two hours daily 10/3/2015 – 10/7/15 Assignment # 8 – Due Oct.18 – Plan: work two hours daily 10/9/2015 -10/14/15

NOTE: you do not need to wait until you have tracked your time for 3 days before moving onto the next videos.

MENTOR’S COMMENTS/FEEDBACK

Flexicute

Watch the Skill of Flexicute Video (Duration 8:45) Completed

This video focuses on the skill of flexicuting: being willing to leave your activity list.
The video will instruct you to download and fill out a time management style worksheet. That worksheet appears below for your convenience.

Time Management Styles: Are you polychronic, monochronic, or a combination? and how you plan your academic activities depends upon necessity, practicality, efficiency, and spontaneity discussed in the Skill of Arranging, as well as your personal style of doing things. These styles range from highly structured (monochronic) to highly unstructured (polychronic).

Instructions: Check one choice below for each numbered pair that represents your dominant style, even though you may do both on occasion. Then add the number of checks in each column and enter the number at the bottom of each column.
Monochronic Style Polychronic Style Task oriented Relationship oriented Do activities in a linear manner Do several activities simultaneously Socially reserved Socially expressive Limited expression of feeling Open expression of feelings & emotions & emotions Focus on structure & systems Focus on trust, communication, respect Individually oriented Group oriented Formal Informal Direct Indirect Fixed Flexible Focused on the goal Focused on the process

Total: 4 Total: 9

1. Beware of multi-tasking! This video introduces the concept of time contamination. It will be difficult, if not impossible; to complete your program if you allow yourself to contaminate the time you spend on your learning activities. You must be 100% present and fully engaged while you are working on your course activities. Write a reflection on the concept of time contamination.

For the longest time, although the choice of words was not time contamination, I have expressed to my nephews and nieces who live with me that I would prefer they do not side track me from my objectives. The decision to move to China and live alone comes at a perfect time for me to concentrate and focus on my degree one hundred percent and not, for example, watch some African movie with family while I am attempting to do my work. Or even at three in the morning, try to do my work and have a nephew or niece carry a conversation with me.
I must be very firm and not engage in long distance conversations with the U.S.A in the midst of my doctoral work for this kind of time contamination will not help me achieve my initial goal of becoming DR. BYWATERS.

MENTOR’S COMMENTS/FEEDBACK

Tracking

Watch the Skill of Tracking Video (Duration 10:19) Completed

This video explains the need for “buckets”.

1. Take time to decide how you are going to track your time, or how you might modify the method you already use (i.e. electronic application or paper and pencil method, or a combination of both). Decide how many buckets you need and name them.
I would be needing four buckets and would track my time electronically with my cell phone and laptop.
BUCKET #1 - Monthly Calendar
BUCKET #2 - Weekly Calendar
BUCKET #3 - Daily Calendar
BUCKET #4 - MISC Calendar

2. Explain your tracking system here.

BUCKET #1 - Monthly Calendar – For monthly activities such as meetings, rent, birthdays…
BUCKET #2 - Weekly Calendar – For weekly events such as homework, happy hour, church…
BUCKET #3 - Daily Calendar – Daily events such as school activities, important phone calls
BUCKET #4 - MISC Calendar – Miscellaneous unscheduled reminders, electronic purging…

MENTOR’S COMMENTS/FEEDBACK

Focus

Watch the Skill of Focus Video (Duration 7:56) Completed

This video focuses on the skill of knowing when to say “No.” The video asks you to download the Focus Breakers exercise. It has been included here in your workbook for your convenience.

Focus Breakers

Self-Imposed, Internally Motivated Focus Breakers

Start learning to focus by taking a personal inventory of the negative activities that cause you to break your focus.
Instructions: Look carefully over the following list of self-imposed, internally-motivated focus breakers, and put a check mark by the ones you do that break your ability to stay focused. Insufficient planning Socializing Surfing the net Attempting to do too much Getting lost in details Preoccupation Ineffective delegation Unwillingness to say “no” Arguing Lack of self-discipline Procrastination Failure to prioritize Your own errors Failure to listen carefully Your need to over-control Unrealistic time estimates Poorly defined goals Misplacing or losing items Failure to anticipate events or changes Responding to counterfeit urgency

Have some focus breakers not on the list? Add additional focus breakers below.

Being everyone’s Problem Solver

Spending too much time at the Music Studio

Talking too much to Church Choir Members on social media

External Focus Breakers

Now, what about all the focus breaker activities that are externally motivated? These are the activities we are often sucked into that cause us to break our focus as well as make us feel irritated and frustrated.
Can we say no to all of those? Not really, but to many of them we can. First, complete the following assessment. Check the Externally Motivated Focus Breakers you encounter most often.

Meetings Delayed work Delayed decisions Inappropriate use of email, voicemail, etc. Computer problems Poor communication Errors by others Telephone calls Frequent visits (drop-ins) Lengthy visits Poor definition of tasks or problems Unclear lines of authority Understaffing Lack of feedback Unclear roles Ongoing incompetence Conflicting priorities Emotional conflicts Changing instructions, priorities

Have some focus breakers not on the list? Add additional focus breakers below.
African monthly parties
African Traditional weddings
Wedding Performances
Choir/Church home visits

1. List three internally imposed focus breakers and then revise them to make them focus makers; which one will you focus on first?

Being everyone’s Problem Solver – I cannot solve the entire world’s problems, focus on me first for once in CHINA, this is my number one priority.

Spending too much time at the Music Studio - I will limit my recording sessions to once a month versus several times a week.

Talking too much to church choir members on social media – I will not waste unnecessary time on social media with choir member, instead, I will set aside the weekend to tackle their issues.

2. Pick three external focus breakers that you will need to resolve while you are working on your degree. List all three and then pick one and explain your plan for resolving it.

African monthly parties – As I move to Beijing, finding African parties will not be my priority African Traditional weddings – I will have to put attending these on hold for a long time Wedding Performances – I will not volunteer to sing at weddings as usual unless contacted Choir/Church home visits – Even in Beijing, as a new comer, I will not be among visiting members yet. Once I become one, I will limit to one visit a month versus weekly visits.

3. The video offers strategies for exercising your “no” muscle: Refusal statement, delay tactic, helping hand approach. Think of a situation that will likely occur in the next month that may interrupt your coursework time and how you can say no. Explain the situation and your plan here.

Once in Beijing and a member of my newfound church, my new Pastor may request that I join the choir once they learn that I led my church choir here in Houston. I will politely turn the offer down and say that I would like to become familiar with my surrounding first and that I am in the process of visiting several churches, thus, have not decided yet which church to attend.

MENTOR’S COMMENTS/FEEDBACK

Conclusion

Watch the Conclusion Video (Duration 4:27) Completed

This program introduced you to 5 skills related to time management. But, these skills are skills you will need to practice to truly tame the time management beast! Consider signing up for weekly productivity strategies. You can do this by clicking on the “Subscribe to Productivity Strategies” link under the Productivity Strategies tab. These are emails that will remind you to practice the skills of Choosing, Arranging, Flexicuting, Tracking, and Focus.

READ THE PRODUCTIVITY STRATEGIES IN THE PRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES TAB

1. Pick three strategies you will likely use while completing your degree and list their numbers here.
STRATEGY # 26 – Avoid time debt, meaning avoid saying “yes” to many future commitments.
STRATEGY # 30 – Saying “no” is an instant time-saver.
STRATERY # 34 – How often do you make appointments with yourself? I will focus on me.
Personal comments: In the United States, I am the family member that everyone comes to for advice or any other need. At times, I have found it difficult to say no too many family members.
As I settle in Beijing, a place where I have no family member, this is the time to focus on my Doctoral Program and not a time to look for family replacement members. This is the time to avoid saying yes to future activities that will take time away from my program homework. This is the time to focus on me and my highest degree. I have served my family, now I am going to serve me.

You have decided to aim high and complete a higher degree. You will need the support and understanding of your family, friends, and co-workers to eventually cross that finish line.

2. Draft an email to people that will be impacted by your new time management techniques (family, friends, co-workers) explaining your new time management strategies. You might want to explain that there will times, that unless something is a RED, you might not be able to attend to it. You might want to share a productivity strategy with them as well. It would also be prudent to thank them in advanced for supporting you during this journey (which will last years).

Hello family, friends, and co-workers. This is Emilia Mpwo Bywaters. I have some exciting news to share with you. Effective August 24, 2015, I started to work on my Doctorate in Leadership Administration with Northcentral University. This program is intense and will be accomplished online for a duration of approximately five years. During this time of study, I will be using a color coded system to organize my priorities: red (urgent), green (nurturing), yellow (flexible), and gray (time wasters). Please note that the urgency for this period pertain to anything that has to do with my degree program and the latter will take precedence over other activities. I need your support during this crucial time as I might be as available as I have been in the past. If you call me and I do not answer your call, please be patient with me and I will eventually get back to you when the time in my busy schedule permits. It would be best to email me for non-urgent issues. Please note that you may also write me messages on VIBER, IMO, MESSENGER by FACEBOOK, or SKYPE in lieu of the normal video conference features we are used to using. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Sincerely,

Future DR. EMILIA MPWO BYWATERS

Now that you have completed formal time management training, please answer these questions.

1. Do you have a plan for scheduling the 10-15 hours per week you will need to engage in learning activities?

Yes No Maybe

2. On a scale from 1-7, how effective do you think you are at managing your time, with 1 being not at all effective, 3 somewhat effective, and 7 completely effective? Select the choice that is closest to where you are now.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Not at all--------------------------------Somewhat------------------------------------Completely

3. Since completing the program, how frequently do you think you will experience anxiety or stress due to not having enough time to get everything done?

1-never 2-occasionally 3-frequently 4-most days 5-every day

4. Did you learn new skills that you think will be beneficial to you as you integrate going back to school into your life?

Yes No Too soon to tell

MENTOR’S COMMENTS/FEEDBACK

Activities can easily be tracked using the Activity Record. This tool is unique in its simplicity.

Instructions:
Put a mark next to the time you begin the first activity of the day. Do not write in the description until you have completed it and you are ready to move on to the next one.

As you transition from one activity to the next, simply put another mark on the line next to the time your completed the activity and, in the space provided, describe in a word or two what the activity was. At the end of the day you’ll have an accurate history of which type of activities consumed your time and energy throughout the day.

Do this for two days. Once you have viewed the Skill of Choosing Video, you will be instructed to color code the activity– RED, GREEN, YELLOW, or GRAY.

Guidelines:

• Carry the activity record with you and fill it out as soon as you complete an activity (note: you will not input your notes into your workbook, but will need to complete this activity to answer questions in the workbook). • Be honest with yourself. Making up details won’t serve your purpose. • List interruptions and assign them a color, too. • Do not rely on your memory; mark the activity record at the completion of every activity.

Average:

After completing this activity for two days, add up the amount of time (in minutes) you spent in each color. Then average these times over the 2 days and round your average to the nearest hour. You will enter this data into your workbook.

Day 1: Red __6____ Green __2____ Yellow ____2__ Gray ____2__

Day 2: Red ___4___ Green ___4___ Yellow ___2___ Gray ____2__

Total Time: Red ____10__ Green ___6___ Yellow ____4__ Gray ___4___

Track Your Investment of Time DATE: _________________

|Event / Activity |R |G |Y |GY | |Event / Activity |R |G |Y |GY | |5:00 | | | | | |3:00 | | | | | | |5:15 | | | | | |3:15 | | | | | | |5:30 | | | | | |3:30 | | | | | | |5:45 | | | | | |3:45 | | | | | | |6:00 | | | | | |4:00 | | | | | | |6:15 | | | | | |4:15 | | | | | | |6:30 | | | | | |4:30 | | | | | | |6:45 | | | | | |4:45 | | | | | | |7:00 | | | | | |5:00 | | | | | | |7:15 | | | | | |5:15 | | | | | | |7:30 | | | | | |5:30 | | | | | | |7:45 | | | | | |5:45 | | | | | | |8:00 | | | | | |6:00 | | | | | | |8:15 | | | | | |6:15 | | | | | | |8:30 | | | | | |6:30 | | | | | | |8:45 | | | | | |6:45 | | | | | | |9:00 | | | | | |7:00 | | | | | | |9:15 | | | | | |7:15 | | | | | | |9:30 | | | | | |7:30 | | | | | | |9:45 | | | | | |7:45 | | | | | | |10:00 | | | | | |8:00 | | | | | | |10:15 | | | | | |8:15 | | | | | | |10:30 | | | | | |8:30 | | | | | | |10:45 | | | | | |8:45 | | | | | | |11:00 | | | | | |9:00 | | | | | | |11:15 | | | | | |9:15 | | | | | | |11:30 | | | | | |9:30 | | | | | | |11:45 | | | | | |9:45 | | | | | | |12:00 | | | | | |10:00 | | | | | | |12:15 | | | | | |10:15 | | | | | | |12:30 | | | | | |10:30 | | | | | | |12:45 | | | | | |10:45 | | | | | | |1:00 | | | | | |11:00 | | | | | | |1:15 | | | | | |11:15 | | | | | | |1:30 | | | | | |11:30 | | | | | | |1:45 | | | | | |11:45 | | | | | | |2:00 | | | | | |12:00 | | | | | | |2:15 | | | | | |12:15 | | | | | | |2:30 | | | | | |12:30 | | | | | | |2:45 | | | | | |12:45 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |STOP | | | | | |

Track Your Investment of Time DATE: _________________

|Event / Activity |R |G |Y |GY | |Event / Activity |R |G |Y |GY | |5:00 | | | | | |3:00 | | | | | | |5:15 | | | | | |3:15 | | | | | | |5:30 | | | | | |3:30 | | | | | | |5:45 | | | | | |3:45 | | | | | | |6:00 | | | | | |4:00 | | | | | | |6:15 | | | | | |4:15 | | | | | | |6:30 | | | | | |4:30 | | | | | | |6:45 | | | | | |4:45 | | | | | | |7:00 | | | | | |5:00 | | | | | | |7:15 | | | | | |5:15 | | | | | | |7:30 | | | | | |5:30 | | | | | | |7:45 | | | | | |5:45 | | | | | | |8:00 | | | | | |6:00 | | | | | | |8:15 | | | | | |6:15 | | | | | | |8:30 | | | | | |6:30 | | | | | | |8:45 | | | | | |6:45 | | | | | | |9:00 | | | | | |7:00 | | | | | | |9:15 | | | | | |7:15 | | | | | | |9:30 | | | | | |7:30 | | | | | | |9:45 | | | | | |7:45 | | | | | | |10:00 | | | | | |8:00 | | | | | | |10:15 | | | | | |8:15 | | | | | | |10:30 | | | | | |8:30 | | | | | | |10:45 | | | | | |8:45 | | | | | | |11:00 | | | | | |9:00 | | | | | | |11:15 | | | | | |9:15 | | | | | | |11:30 | | | | | |9:30 | | | | | | |11:45 | | | | | |9:45 | | | | | | |12:00 | | | | | |10:00 | | | | | | |12:15 | | | | | |10:15 | | | | | | |12:30 | | | | | |10:30 | | | | | | |12:45 | | | | | |10:45 | | | | | | |1:00 | | | | | |11:00 | | | | | | |1:15 | | | | | |11:15 | | | | | | |1:30 | | | | | |11:30 | | | | | | |1:45 | | | | | |11:45 | | | | | | |2:00 | | | | | |12:00 | | | | | | |2:15 | | | | | |12:15 | | | | | | |2:30 | | | | | |12:30 | | | | | | |2:45 | | | | | |12:45 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |STOP | | | | | |

Welcome to the Northcentral Goals Writing Workbook.

This workshop will teach you a system for writing goals. Goals will provide a roadmap for reaching your targets. Obtaining a degree will take time. To maintain motivation it will be important to break this large task (long range goal) into smaller ones (immediate goals).

Note: in this workbook you are asked to focus on the goal of getting your degree, you are encouraged to use your new skills to write goals in domains of self, family, work, service.

BYWATERSEE8001-2

[pic]

Introduction

Watch the Introduction Video (approximately 4 minutes) Completed

This workshop will help you be a goal getter and not just a goal setter; it all starts here.

1. Have you ever written down specific goals? Yes No

a. If yes, what was your experience; do you believe writing down your goals down helped you achieve them? Why or why not? If no, do you agree with Mr. Woods that having a system for defining your goals can be life changing? Why or why not?

In 1986, my very first year teaching, I wrote down my five year long term goal as follows: I will be involved with the Travel Industry; I will be married or have a boyfriend; I will not be teaching anymore. Surely enough, five years later, I was leading my first group of students, teachers, and parents on my first ever European Educational Tour of Paris, France, a tradition I kept for twenty two years while still teaching.

The Foundation

Watch The Foundation Video (approximately 5 minutes) Completed

The foundation for effective goal setting relies on unifying principles; these are core principles we all live by. This video also introduces the idea of self-unification; a state of aligning your performance with your highest priorities in life, you will experience the highest form of productivity.

1. Clearly you value intellectual growth (unifying principle). Going back to school is a goal that brings your performance circle closer to your value circle (self-unification). Did you have a wake-up call related to starting a degree program? What motivated you to go back to school?

Having a Doctorate Degree has always been a childhood dream of mine. However, I woke up one day and reminded myself that I would be sixty five years old in ten more years and that if I wanted to achieve that childhood dream, this had to be the time to get started. In 2012, I finished my second Masters in Leadership Administration and realized it was not too bad going back to school after several years of teaching. That is why, three years later, I have now immersed myself in this Doctoral Program, with all confidence that I know I can do it again, just like I did in 2012.

MENTOR’S COMMENTS/FEEDBACK

Unifying Principles

Watch the Unifying Principles Video (approximately 10 minutes) Completed

Unifying principles are course values; learn what yours are so that you can set your priorities.

Please read the exercises below before starting this video. You should complete these exercises while watching the video. Thus, please allow 30 minutes for the viewing of this video.

1. Prepare a list of your highest priorities in life. List as many singular key words (e.g. Honesty, Leadership, etc.) you can think of in 3-4 minutes.

Friendship, love, flexibility, honesty, intelligence, leadership, and loyalty.

2. Choose 4 of the priorities you wrote above, ensuring you choose one related to intellectual growth, and turn them into action statements.

Friendship – be a friend; Love – always offer love; Flexibility – be flexible; Leadership – be a leader, not a follower.

3. In the video you are asked to write a paragraph of clarification for one Unifying Principle. Choose your principle related to intellectual growth and write your paragraph in the box below (note: you are encouraged to do this with your other unifying principles, but do not need to for this workbook).

Intelligence does not appear at random, it takes repetition of skills to achieve it, once you make the decision to keep pushing your skills, your intellect will grow and you will gain the new knowledge needed for personal and professional growth.

4. In the video you are asked to write 4 unifying principles on paper for an exercise. Make sure one of the principles you write down is related to intellectual growth. During your degree program it is very likely you will be asked to manage your time and life on fewer than 4 principles.

a. Think of a situation where the intellectual growth paper would remain and one would get “thrown away”. These situations do occur and articulating your priorities now will help you manage difficult decisions later.

A situation where the intellectual growth paper would remain could be when dealing with a group of math teachers and selecting one of them to teach Calculus A/B.

b. Think of a situation where the intellectual growth paper would be “thrown away” and one would remain. These situations do occur and articulating your priorities now will help you manage difficult decisions later.

A situation where the intellectual growth would be thrown away could be at a family gathering where the “family” paper might take precedence.

MENTOR’S COMMENTS/FEEDBACK

Writing Goals

Watch the Writing Goals Video (approximately 8 minutes) Completed

In this video you will learn a formula for writing all types of goals. In the video you are asked to practice the goal writing formula. For this workbook, we are providing you with an example related to the goal of degree completion.

Goal Writing Guidelines:

• Prepare your goals within a written framework of your unifying principles • Write each goal down! • Make your goals specific • Ask “Am I willing to pay the price?”

Guide Terms: Self, Family, Work, Service

Goal writing formula: What? How will I measure it? By when?

Practice writing goals

Unifying Principle: Intellectual Growth

Sample Long-Range Goal

Beginning August 24, 2015, I will enroll in a degree program, completing all requirements for graduation by August 2020.

Sample Intermediate Goals • I will become proficient in using the library this year. • I will complete a minimum of 5 courses this year. • I will choose a software program to assist with my APA formatting within 2 months.

Sample Immediate Goals • I will visit the library, explore upcoming tutorials, and pencil in at least 1 webinar and 1 tutorial on my schedule this week. • I will schedule, within the next 2 weeks, the most important skills building tutorial or webinar that my Advisor suggests. • I will visit the Writing Center and research two APA formatting software programs each week until I choose the software program right for me.

Now write at least three intermediate goals that will support the long-range goal of completing your degree by your stated graduation date.

a. I will read several APA style papers weekly from today to assist me with the format

b. I will complete a minimum of six courses this year, taking no brakes during the summer c. I will take part in online workshops on how to become a better writer within 3 months.

Now write at least three immediate goals that will support the long-range goal of completing your degree by your stated graduation date.

a. I will visit Normal University in Beijing, China, within one week of my arrival, in search of writing resources. b. I will read those resources suggested by my teachers within this week c. I will schedule an appointment with my English teacher friend in Beijing so she can be one of my resource persons one week after my arrival on September 11, 2015.

MENTOR’S COMMENTS/FEEDBACK

Conclusion

Watch the Conclusion Video (approximately 3 minutes) Completed

You are on your way, but it will be important to keep the momentum going and not lose sight of your goal of obtaining your degree through the inevitable fog that will roll in. Choose something that will serve to motivate you, in the case of fog. You will be asked to share this strategy as part of your Signature Assignment, so plan for it now.

Write some thoughts about your motivational project here:

I have made a decision that, no matter what it takes, no matter my location on this earth, 2015 is the year that I am starting my Doctoral Program and I plan to finish it by the fifth year, 2020 or earlier. I am committed to working on my degree work every single day of my life from this day forward. Some days I will spend more time than others, but this will become my DAILY BREAD. When I am not writing my assignment, I will make sure that I am involved in some kind of reading or watching a video regarding my classes. By the end of my five year program, I will finally become DR. EMILIA MPWO BYWATERS, a “doc” will be born.

TIP: Consider writing goals for obtaining your degree for this next year. Type them out and review them every morning before you plan your day. Having your goals in black and white and at the forefront of your mind will help your color your choices.

MENTOR’S COMMENTS/FEEDBACK

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Time Management

...TIME MANAGEMENT AND PROCRASTINATION University of Phoenix Jennifer Toste GEN 200 Dr. Judy Hyatt 8/15/11 There are many times in an individual’s lifetime that he or she may come up against a hindrance of some sort. Each individual has his or her own obstacle in which he or she must learn to rise above whether it is procrastination, time management, or the inability to focus. These three obstacles procrastination, time management, and the ability to focus are obstacles in which I must learn to prevail. Out of the three of these obstacles the one that would be most beneficial to surmount would be time management. If an individual is able to conquer time management then, the other two obstacles procrastination and the ability to focus should become easier to overcome as well. The ability to manage appropriately one’s time seems like an easy task; however, this task does require one to know the definition of time management as well as learn self discipline. The best way to overcome any obstacle would be to identify the problem, become informed about the problem, and develop a solution that fits appropriately. I cannot efficiently and correctly manage my time as well as I have a habit of procrastinating. If I were able to overcome both of these obstacles I may improve my productivity greatly. “Time management refers to a range of skills, tools, and techniques used to manage time when accomplishing specific tasks, projects and goals. This set encompasses a wide scope of...

Words: 1211 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Time Management

...THE TIME MANAGEMENT POCKETBOOK By Ian Fleming Drawings by Phil Hailstone Based on a concept devised by Martin Terry of Lucas Industries Group Training Department. “This splendid little book respects our intelligence and time. It also puts to shame all the gimmicks to which we have been subjected of late.” Abdulla Ali Uqba, Chief Executive, Al Atheer, Development & Management Consultancy, Dubai. “More than just a guide to better managing your time - it’s a collection of simple, yet effective, tips and reminders to help keep you on track.” Linda Harlow, Director, Brook Street plc “Contains a wealth of practical tips to help busy managers manage their time better.” Viv Clements, Training Officer, Aylesbury Vale District Council. Published by: Management Pocketbooks Ltd 14 East Street, Alresford, Hants SO24 9EE, U.K. Tel: +44 (0)1962 735573 Fax: +44 (0)1962 733637 E-mail: pocketbks@aol.com Web: www.pocketbook.co.uk MANAGEMENT POCKETBOOKS All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers. 1st edition 2nd edition 3rd edition 4th edition 1990 1991 1995 1997 Reprinted 1998, 1999, 2000. © Ian Fleming 1990, 1997 ISBN 1 870471 53 9 British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data – A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Printed in U.K. by Ashford...

Words: 11371 - Pages: 46

Free Essay

Time Management

...The Role of Time Management in Graduate Student Success Andra Opone Florida Atlantic University 
 Abstract “Time is valuable - perhaps a fairly obvious thing to say, but if we all know it, why does anyone ever procrastinate? (Brian, 2000, p.14).  Majority of graduate students procrastinate and if we do a survey to inquire why graduate students procrastinate, we would discover that the major reasons would be fear of failure, overwhelming school tasks or unclear task. The habit of procrastination, which is common and gradually being cultivated over time has become a big factor hindering academic success of graduate students. Many times students procrastinate because they lack motivation and fail to prioritize their daily activities, but the biggest culprit of procrastination is and will always be poor “Time Management”. The Role of Time Management in Graduate Student Success What then is Time Management? According to Foley “Time management may be defined as the discovery and application of the most efficient method of completing assignments of any length in the optimum time and with the highest quality” (Foley, 2007, p.733). With the work load associated with graduate studies, a lot of confusion usually arise on...

Words: 963 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Time Management

...Time Management When it comes to managing time, it can get a little messy, especially when it seems like everything just seems to take place all at once or when you run out of time and the 24 hours we do have in a day just isn’t enough. In order for us to handle all the aspects of things going on in life we must learn to stop procrastinating, set priorities, and use planners for everything that we do. “Over commitment is then frequently followed by procrastination” (Managing Time: Experts Advise How Best to Keep from Wasting It, 1989). People tend to commit their selves to too many things and not worry about the time. They just keep saying they are going to do it and just keep pushing it back and procrastinating. How many times have we said we are just going to do it later, and them find ourselves rushing to do it because we are at the deadline…? too many. Prioritizing your daily task is a good way to help manage your time and not procrastinate. Put your priorities in order of importance, and do not let anything distract you from your task. Yes, things happen that you can’t control that might hinder your accomplishments but it is your responsibility to get back on track once the incident is over. Karen Flaherty of Compass Group, Limited of Birmingham said “Don’t schedule every moment of the day; leave time for catch up.” Using a planner to help you with your task is another way to help you manage your time. “the significance of planning gives people a way to...

Words: 452 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Time Management

...Adeojo, Adeyinka EFFECTIVE TIME MANAGEMENT FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE IN AN ORGANIZATION CASE: LASACO ASSURANCE PLC Thesis Autumn 2012 Business School Degree programme in Business Administration International Business 1 SEINÄJOKI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES THESIS ABSTRACT Faculty: Business School Degree Program: International Business Specialization: International Business and Marketing Author/s: Adeojo Adeyinka Lawrence Title of thesis: Effective time management for high performance in an organization Case: Lasaco Assurance PLC Supervisor: Miia Koski Year: 2012 Pages: 84 Number of appendices: 8 The main objective of this thesis is to determine the effect of time management on high organizational performance using LASACO ASSURANCE Plc. as a case company. In this thesis, the employees working with the company were sent questionnaires. Their responses were critically analyzed and thus related to the theories. A quantitative approach was used as the methodology. According to the theory, time management is a method for managers to increase work performance effectiveness. Time management is probably not as easy as what it is imagined and expected to be; the term time management means different things to different people. The study brought out the differences between effective time management and time management. It was discovered that the organization has already implemented time management, but it was not effective enough. The test of a hypothesis was conducted...

Words: 18403 - Pages: 74

Free Essay

Time Management

...Time Management Plan Template Student Name: Date: Directions: 1. Carefully read the Time Management Plan Guidelines found in Doc Sharing. This provides specific details on how to complete this assignment. 2. Rename this document by clicking “Save As.” Change the file name so it reads Your Last Name Time Management Plan.docx. For example, if your last name is Smith, type “Smith Time Management Plan.docx”. 3. Save the document as a .docx compatible with Microsoft Word 2010 or later. 4. Type your name and date at the top of this template. 5. Type your answers directly on the template. Follow all instructions. Save frequently to prevent loss of your work. 6. Prior to the due date, post questions about this assignment to the Q & A Forum so your classmates can read the advice, too. You may also e-mail questions to your instructor. 7. Submit to the Dropbox by the end of Week 1, Sunday at 11:59 p.m. MT. Times | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | 12 a.m.–1 a.m. | Sleep | Work | Sleep | Sleep | Sleep | Sleep | Work | 1 a.m.–2 a.m. | Sleep | Work | Sleep | Sleep | Sleep | Sleep | Work | 2 a.m.–3 a.m. | Sleep | Work | Sleep | Sleep | Sleep | Sleep | Work | 3 a.m.–4 a.m. | Sleep | Work | Sleep | Sleep | Sleep | Sleep | Work | 4 a.m.–5 a.m. | Sleep | Work | Sleep | Sleep | Sleep | Sleep | Work | 5 a.m.–6 a.m. | Sleep | Work | Prepare for work | Prepare for work | Sleep | Sleep | Work | 6 a.m.–7...

Words: 1125 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Time Management

...which has helped me significantly in the classroom. The most important strategy I would have to say that I have learned from this course is time management. Because we all know that procrastination is a person’s worst enemy and as a college student it can really be your worst nightmare. To prevent this from being a thorn in my side, I started using methods such as the ABC method which has turned out to be a great way for me to prioritize things that are the most important and time frame that they need to be executed by. Also I’ve learned to do assignments ahead of time so that it gives me a cushion for other things as well as time to make any last minute adjustments. Time management has helped me understand that whenever I prioritize my time for work and school that the process is much easier and my grades have been the results to show, versus when I was a student in the primary grades. Where I was always waiting for the last second because procrastination was my best friend and I suffered for that. Also it gives me time to have a better thought process and really be able to explain and discuss in depth for any assignment or discussion post, because I have examined, processed and planned how to make sure the assignment is understood and done in a timely manner. I plan to continue to find even more tips and tricks to help me keep time management a top priority in my process to obtain my degree so that I never get behind to throw me off track for my destined graduation date. Must I...

Words: 783 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Time Management

...In this assignment I am going to explain and evaluate the benefits and skills needed for good time management. Time management is the act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific actives, especially to increase efficiency or productivity. Effective time management must sit in the context of knowing what we want. Perhaps’ as we become aware of where our time goes we can start to identify the time management problems we need to solve. It is important to develop effective strategies for managing our time in order to balance the conflicting demands of our days. In order to improve productivity we need to think about how we are using our time and the best ways time management can work for us. In order to manage our time well we need to develop time management skills, although time management is much a product of how effectively we plan and balance are daily lives, there are plenty of tools and resources that can help us when planning our time better. Firstly Identifying Procrastination. The first step to conquering this behaviour is to understand why it happens. Fear of failure, self-doubt and goals without deadlines.( unit 1 Personal Development Workbook). Avoidance may seem like an easy option but what is the long term impact. We create more stress by pushing everything to the deadline. Understanding that the longer we leave the task the bigger the epic becomes. We need to make sure that we are not just completing...

Words: 1368 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Time Management

...Time Management Effective time management means less stress in your day to day routine. Managing your time effectively will get more done each day and when your minimize stress your improving the quality of work. “Effective executives, in my observation, do not start with their tasks, they start with their time. And they do not start out with planning. They start by finding out where their time actually goes,” (Peter Drucker, The Effective Executive” referenced by Negesh Belludi, 2008). We can easily lose sight on how we spend our time and before you know it the day is over. Ask yourself how your spend your time; keep a log of everything you do for a few days. Evaluate this and determine where you spend the most time, how to utilize certain times of the day and what you can shave off the list. If you commute to work, utilize this time to catch up on emails, read reports or write you’re to do list for the day. This time may seem short, but in the end useful. It’s also important to keep healthy to relive stress, not only can you be bombarded with heavy workloads but your personal life can affect your productivity as well. Get plenty of rest and make sure you have something for breakfast and lunch during work, this will keep you energized. Feeling run down exhausted or fatigue will only set you back and create distractions and limitations of productivity. A healthy lifestyle can improve focus; concentration and efficiency this will help finish the tasks out hand. Stock your...

Words: 2527 - Pages: 11

Free Essay

Time Management

...Time Management Term Calendar with Reflection Instructions Once you have completed the Time Management: Lists activity in your textbook’s time management chapter, you are ready to begin this assignment. (Do not begin this assignment until you have completed that activity, as you will need it to do this work.) Complete the 2-month calendar provided in this document. Begin by filling in the days/dates that apply to the term of this course. Then put in routine activities in your life. This must include work, family, and church activities. Schedule in everything that you know is happening in your life during this course. Is there a wedding, family reunion, weekend trip, church supper, team sporting event, concert, movie, charity work, etc. that you will be engaged in? If so, add it to the calendar. The calendar cells will expand to accommodate your entries. Once you have added all those activities, write in the course assignments, based on the deadline for each. Use red font (ink) to show your course assignments. Now that you have completed your calendar, review it carefully, and consider the following questions in an honest assessment of your time. 1. Are your days/weekends full? 2. Are you surprised at how little time is left once all your commitments are included? 3. How can you plan time for school activities, given what you know of the commitments you have in the months of this course? 4. Is school just “one more thing” in your schedule, or have you given...

Words: 432 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Time Management

...Time Management “One always has time enough, if one will apply it well” (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749, P.1). Effective time management is the most important factor in succeeding on personal and in professional goals and objectives. The average a person spends is fewer than seven hours of his or her day effectively. The remaining time is being wasted leaving the person overwhelmed and worried. Although time management is a big day to day life problem; it can be solved by building a schedule, using time saving techniques, and fighting procrastination (project management source, 2007). Building a schedule cannot only help fulfill the required goal, but it also remind a person of tasks, due dates, and events. An effective schedule should start with a planner that helps to keeps track of events and commitments. When planning the schedule for the day, a person should leave 20% of the day free for emergencies and interruptions. The next step is prioritizing the item to help identify important tasks and use all the energy on it. Sorting task according to priority and importance can identify tasks that are worthless or unnecessary. Most people spend 80% of their time trying to complete 20% of their tasks (project management source, 2007). When completing an important task on time, a person should reward himself/herself. When building a schedule, time saving helps a person to be organized and efficient, this leads to more personal time. Time saving has several effective techniques...

Words: 735 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Time Management

...TIME MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES OF TIME MANAGEMENT To get control of your time, you need to be familiar with some basic principles of time management: Time “goes” where you direct it. You are in control of your time. Time management is about what we are able to accomplish with time. Time management means breaking old habits and realizing that your habits are usually the problem. Time management can enhance your work experience if you are able to accomplish your plan. Benefits of Time Management There are several benefits of time management: 1. Control stress. Time management is stress prevention. Time management reduces stress because you can meet deadlines, and you can work fewer hours with greater results. 2. Balance your life. Working long hours and taking work home with you can harm the natural balance you should have in your life. By learning to manage your time, you can do things you want to do instead of spending all your time on work responsibilities. 3. Increase productivity. Part of time management is determining how you spend your time. Once you determine how you spend your time, you can modify your schedule to increase productivity. For example, you might find that you waste time in meetings when a group e-mail could address the issue just as well. 4. Identify priorities. People who have the most trouble managing their time are those who do not know what their priorities are or should be. Knowing your priorities helps you spend valuable time where you need...

Words: 17455 - Pages: 70

Premium Essay

Time Management

...Time management It seems that there is never enough time in the day. However, since we all get the same 24 hours, why is it that some people achieve so much more with their time than others do? The answer lies in good time management. Time management refers to the way you organize and plan your activity and the duration of time, you intend to spend on it. Time management is an art that gives you complete control over your activities, timetable and schedule. Time management is the way through which you increase the effectiveness of your dedication towards some task. Such art teaches you how to be effective and efficient even when work pressure is high. Good time management requires an important shift in focus from activities to results: being busy is not the same as being effective. (Ironically, the opposite is often closer to the truth.) Spending your day in a frenzy of activity often achieves less, because you are dividing your attention between so many different tasks. Good time management lets you work smarter – not harder so that you get it more done in less time. Benefits of Time Management It may seem counter-intuitive to dedicate precious time to learning about time management, instead of using it to get on with your work, but the benefits are enormous: * It increases productivity and efficiency * You get greater professional reputation * It lessens the stress * It increases opportunities for advancement both personally and professionally ...

Words: 878 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Time Management

...order to manage time restraints, one must focus on two primary goals. How to regulate time, and how to set some objectives goals for yourself. When regulating time one must concentrate on short term and long term objectives. Start off by managing the day to day week by week and then month by month activities. It is a splendid idea to write down and keep records on a calendar weekly schedule ad a day to day work list. Term calendars are sure to jot down overall school assignments, projects, and readings that are due. Some assignments that will be required may be lengthy and need to be subdivided the days of the week when due. Example if you have group assignments that require several steps, break the steps down. Write down when is brainstorming ideas due by, title due date, research conducted due date, group outline due by, rough draft due by, and then final assignment due date. Make sure to post the calendar in a place where it will be looking at it several times each day, to enhance compliance. Being a full-time student it is beneficial for to plan ahead for study times, and school assignments on a weekly schedule. To do list is another way of managing time before going to bed each night. Jot down what is needed for the next day. Upon completion of each task be sure to cross out the accomplishments. Crossing out the achievements helps keep one focused and on the correct path to success. Write down on the to-do list the best time for studies. The most popular time to do the assignment...

Words: 567 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Time Management

...Time Management Time Management To begin, it is possible to state that time management is a technology which helps to organize time in the most effective way. Moreover, time management system allows people not only to be more productive in organizing their time, but also not miss something very important. According to different sources, the first attempt to develop a system of time management was made by a Roman philosopher, statesman and poet Lucius Annaeus Seneca in the first decade of the new era. Of course, Seneca’s attempts were different from modern approach to time management, but they were also important for people in ancient times. So, it becomes obvious that people from the early beginning of our civilization tried to organize their time and to spend it in the more efficient way. Today the organization of time is considered in close connection with the lifestyle of the person as a tool for maximal realization of the personal potential according with the values​​, world view and outlook of the person. We consider the mission of the human being as a prerequisite for the formation of the purposes, goals - as a subject for equipment with criteria, values ​​- as a basis for prioritization, and thirst for self-development - as the primary motivator. Of course, according to Van Eerde (2003), it can be stated that the one who does nothing needs no discipline. Therefore, the more we have plans, desires, goals and intentions, the more we feel the need for time management...

Words: 1065 - Pages: 5