Prioritize Facts about Time: Effective Time Management and Stress Reduction

1. Sherfield and Moody Cornerstones Topic: Prioritize

2. Facts about Time • Everyone has the same amount of time • There are no “time-outs” or “turn-backs” • Time flows at a steady rate Therefore, we must learn how to effectively manage the time we have!

3. Self-Discipline

4. Do You Have Free Time? • Is not created by putting off work • Is not time spend procrastinating • Is not time taken away from obligations • Is time you reward yourself with • Is time you create by planning ahead • Is time you can enjoy after obligations

5. Time Management Types • The Circler – same patterns, same results • The Doodler – no attention to important details • The Squanderer – wasting too much time • The Beggar – frustrated and expecting extra time • The Planner – too much time spent planning • The Hun – waiting, then being inconsiderate • The Passivist – “no reason to even try”

6. Learning to Say “No” • Think before you respond • Review your schedule first • Learn to be assertive (not rude) • Put yourself and your future first • Negotiate a reasonable deadline • Put a time limit on your “yes”

7. Ways to Simplify Your Life • Identify what matters to you • Escape from technology daily • Learn to delegate • Record how you spend your time • Spend money to save time • De-clutter and organize • Live in the moment • Learn to give thanks and to do nothing

8. Procrastination • Why do we fall into this trap repeatedly? • What has procrastination cost you? • A good grade? • Money? • Reputation? • Dignity? • Doing your best?

9. Causes of Procrastination • Superhuman expectations • Fear of not knowing how to complete task • Lack of internal motivation • Fear of failing • No real plan for completing task • Task is considered unpleasant or uninteresting • Laziness or apathy • Distractions or lack of focus • Choosing “fun” before responsibility • Waiting for the “right” mood

10. How Do You Spend Your Time? • Spend one week recording your activities • Look for distractions, interrruptions • Friends or family? • Technology? • Being unorganized? • Playing before work?

11. Plan and Organize your Life • Divide your daily tasks into three lists: • Must do (first priority) • Need to do • Would like to do • Rank items within each list • Now you have a plan!

12. Stress • Stress – mental and physical toll on your body as a result of everyday life • Stress is inevitable • Two types: • Eustress: good stress (can motivate you) • Distress: bad stress (out of hand)

13. Symptoms of Distress • Anxiousness and nervousness • Insomnia • Memory problems • Physical exhaustion • Chronic muscle pain • Heartburn, indigestion, diarrhea • Decreased coping ability

14. Types of Major Stressors • Situational: event that causes stress • Example: death of a loved one • Psychological: internal mental stress • Example: unrealistic expectations • Biological: internal physical stress • Example: weight gain/loss

15. Topic Reflections • Make a to-list every evening for next day • Include time for friends, joy, adventure • Avoid procrastination – just do it! • Lose your perfectionist attitude • Delegate responsibilities when possible • Manage your time and reduce your stress