Getting the most out of your time
Here are some suggestions (adapted from David Ellis's Becoming a Master
Student) for getting the most out of your time:
1. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare presentations. A rule-of-thumb
for students is to spend two hours study for every hour in class.
2. Do difficult (or boring) tasks first.
3. Avoid scheduling marathon sessions. Sometimes we let work
pile up and to get the job done plan to work a lengthy session. Break
the task up into small bits, taking hourly breaks to keep refreshed.
4. Be aware of your best time of day. Some people are morning
people; others night people. Determine your best working time and
use it for doing key tasks.
5. Use waiting time. Use ten minutes between appointments or
time spent waiting at the doctor’s office to read or do other small tasks.
6. Organize and keep your work area clean.
7. Don’t get too comfortable. Sitting on a sofa, signals to the
body that it is time to doze.
8. Find a quiet area to retreat to. A resource center or
other reading area might be good.
9. Pay attention to your attention. Lack of concentration causes
internal interruptions that slow down work.
10. Agree with office mates about interruptions. Spending time
with co-workers is important, but you need to also schedule large uninterrupted
times to accomplish tasks.
11. Avoid noise distractions.
12. Notice how others misuse your time. Send a clear message
to people who interrupt you that you need a block of time to get work done.
13. Get off the phone. The phone is a great business builder,
but make more phone calls to more people and keep the message concise.
Someone once suggested trying to keep phone calls under a minute.
14. Learn to say no.
15. Hang a “do not disturb” sign on your door.
16. Ask “What is one task I can accomplish toward my goal?” When facing
imposing tasks, pick out small accomplishments that can be done in a short
time – say five minutes.
17. Ask “Am I beating myself up?” Avoid berating yourself when you
don’t achieve your goals. By setting goals, we get more done than
if we didn’t set goals.
18. Ask “Is this a piano?” Carpenters use the expression, “Well,
this ain’t no piano.” It means perfection is not necessary.
Distinguish between the need for quality and the need to get the job done
quickly.
19. Ask “How did I just waste time?” Review your actions and
resolve to use time better.
20. Ask “Would I pay myself for what I’m doing right now?” Sometimes
we spend too much time getting ourselves organized, and never get down
to productive work.
21. Ask “Can I do just one more thing?” By getting in the habit of
working until the job is done, doing one more thing at the end of the day
will soon add up.
Adapted from David B. Ellis, Becoming a Master Student. Rapid City,
SD: College Survival Inc., 1985.
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Created March 15, 2000