Topic.10 Time management

[partrita]

Time management: Tips to reduce stress and improve productivity


Do you find yourself overwhelmed by the number and complexity of
projects you have that need to be completed at work each day? Do you
often feel the day flies by without your devoting the necessary
attention to each assignment because other tasks keep landing on your
desk, co-workers interrupt you with questions or you can't get it all
organized?

You probably know that effective time management will help you get
more done each day. It has important health benefits, too. By managing
your time more wisely, you can minimize stress and improve your
quality of life.

But how do you get back on track when organizational skills don't come
naturally? To get started, choose one of these strategies, try it for
two to four weeks and see if it helps. If it does, consider adding
another one. If not, try a different one.

1. Plan each day. Planning your day can help you accomplish more and
feel more in control of your life. Write a to-do list, putting the
most important tasks at the top. Keep a schedule of your daily
activities to minimize conflicts and last-minute rushes.

2. Prioritize your tasks. Time-consuming but relatively unimportant
tasks can consume a lot of your day. Prioritizing tasks will ensure
that you spend your time and energy on those that are truly important
to you.

3. Say no to nonessential tasks. Consider your goals and schedule
before agreeing to take on additional work.

4. Delegate. Take a look at your to-do list and consider what you can
pass on to someone else.

5. Take the time you need to do a quality job. Doing work right the
first time may take more time upfront, but errors usually result in
time spent making corrections, which takes more time overall.

Break large, time-consuming tasks into smaller tasks. Work on them a
few minutes at a time until you get them all done.

6. Practice the 10-minute rule. Work on a dreaded task for 10 minutes
each day. Once you get started, you may find you can finish it.

7. Eval!uate how you're spending your time. Keep a diary of everything
you do for three days to determine how you're spending your time. Look
for time that can be used more wisely. For example, could you take a
bus or train to work and use the commute to catch up on reading? If
so, you could free up some time to exercise or spend with family or
friends.

8.Limit distractions. Block out time on your calendar for big
projects. During that time, close your door and turn off your phone,
pager and e-mail.

Get plenty of sleep, have a healthy diet and exercise regularly. A
healthy lifestyle can improve your focus and concentration, which will
help improve your efficiency so that you can complete your work in
less time.

9. Take a time management course. If your employer offers continuing
education, take a time management class. If your workplace doesn't
have one, find out if a local community college, university or
community education program does.

10. Take a break when needed. Too much stress can derail your attempts
at getting organized. When you need a break, take one. Take a walk. Do
some quick stretches at your workstation. Take a day of vacation to
rest and re-energize.







#Conversation Questions

Time

1. What is your busiest day of the week?

2. Do you like to be busy, or do you like to have an easy schedule?

3. Do you think you manage your time wisely?

4. How much time do you spend sleeping? Do you wish you could sleep
more?

5. Are you good at getting things done on time?

6. Do you think time moves slowly or quickly?

7. What would you do if you had a few extra hours in a day?

8. Do you think people in Korea are too concerned with time?

9. If you could stop time, what would you do and why?

10. If time travel were possible, which period of world history would
you like to return to? Why?