Time Management & Overcoming Procrastination

Postgraduate Skills Development

Summer School

Caroline Forsyth Adapated from presentation by Dr. Tamara O’Connor

Workshop Objectives

• Explore principles of goal setting and

time management

• Learn about ways to control

concentration

• Explore reasons for procrastination

• Review strategies for overcoming

procrastination

Self-Management

Manage self and resources

–Planning

–Monitoring

–Evaluating

Planning Strategies

• Goal setting

• Good time management

• Controlling distractions

• Overcoming procrastination

EXERCISE

Discuss the various techniques you use to help manage your time.

• What works?

• What doesn’t work?

SMART Goal Setting

• S = Specific

• M = Measurable

• A = Achievable

• R = Relevant

• T = Time-based

Possible Timeline

Submit - 27 January 2011

Proposed draft deadlines:

Draft 1 Draft 2 Final Revision

Ch. 1 - Introduction

Ch. 2 - Literature Review

Ch. 3 - Methods

Ch. 4 - Findings Interviews

Ch. 5 - Findings Document/Inventory

Ch. 6 - Discussion

Ch. 7 - Conclusion

Abstract

Overview – Gannt chart

Months 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Topic

Agreed

Aims &

Objectives

Opening

Sections

Draft

Outline

Literature

Review

Method/

Approach

Analysis/

Results

Discussion/

Conclusions

References

Acknowledge

Binding

Submission

to Tutor

Time Management

Take a few moments to discuss:

• When do you concentrate best?

• When do you actually get things done?

• When and why are there distractions?

Time Management Strategies

• Prioritise

• How?

Setting Priorities

High Urgency Low

Urgency

High

Importance

1

Do it now

2

Plan to do it

Low

Importance

3

Resist giving it high priority

4

Time Wasters

Busy work

Time Management Strategies

• Prioritise

• Specificity

• Small bite-size pieces

• Use all available time

• Structure the environment

• Establish a routine

• Scheduling

Scheduling Tips

• Time tables

• To do lists

• Prioritising system

• Monitor, evaluate, reward

• Relaxation time

Timetable

Time Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun

7.00

8.00

9.00

10.00

11.00

12.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Early Morning

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Late Evening

CONCENTRATION

Is the act of focusing our attention and abilities.

Concentration

• Sources of Distraction

–External

– Internal

• Control Distractions

Take a few moments to discuss

Controlling External Distractions

• Structure study environment

• Establish a routine

• Negotiate

• Physical

–E.g. unplug TV!

Controlling Internal Distractions

• List of concerns

• Worry time

• Mind wandering/daydreaming

• Building up time

• Mental rehearsal

• Thinking strategies

• Free up headspace

• Organisation

PROCRASTINATION

Is to delay needlessly something that we believe would be to our benefit.

Overcoming Procrastination

• Take action

• Salami technique

• Five minutes

• Work on related tasks

• Do the hardest bits first

• Set goals

• Reward yourself for achievement

• Make commitments

Your own procrastination

Think about one problem that might develop and that leads to procrastination:

Describe the problem.

What is the source of the problem?

What is the reason for the problem?

Can you set a goal for a solution [be specific]?

With your goal in mind what are your options [be practical in deciding your options].

What are the advantages of each of your options?

What are the disadvantages of each of your options?

Summary

• Plan, monitor and evaluate your use of time

• Strategy or plan for overcoming procrastination

• Change doesn’t come easy – small steps!

Traffic Light

• Red – What will you stop doing

• Amber – What you will continue to do

• Green – What will you start doing

Resources

• http://student-learning.tcd.ie

• http://port.igrs.sas.ac.uk/managingyourtime.htm

• http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/studyadvice/Study

Resources/sta-index.aspx

• www.vitae.ac.uk