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December 2001
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As dedicated Phi Theta Kappa leaders with numerous responsibilities, you know that this statement couldn’t be truer. Effectively managing time can be one of the most difficult tasks to accomplish, but if you’ll follow some of these simple steps, you’ll find it is possible. Don’t procrastinate. Start working on projects and induction ceremonies early. This way you will not be rushed at the end of your deadline. Make a list. This is one of the most popular ways to effectively manage time. Most commonly, this involves a daily list of things to be accomplished. As you complete an item on the list, mark it off. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and let you know where you stand. You will benefit from this even when planning a simple executive board meeting. Preparing a list beforehand can allow you to have all of your ideas right there in front of you. Establish priorities. In this list, you will want to list the tasks in order of importance. Establish which activity needs to be taken care of first, second and so on. Place this activity at the top of your list and focus on it until it is completed. Divide tasks. Any smaller tasks necessary to the completion of a larger one should be listed separately. This will ensure that you don’t skip any steps or miss any deadlines. An example of this would be listing the exact elements of an upcoming service project, especially those sections that are your responsibility. Be realistic about how long certain activities will take. If your chapter is planning a fundraiser, be aware that the planning time for such an activity might take longer than first anticipated. Also be sure to schedule enough time for clean up after any activity. Know what is expected of you up front. Find out exactly what a task entails and what is expected of you before beginning the task. Seeking guidance about a task beforehand may keep you from “reinventing the wheel” and save you precious time. Just say “no”. Learn to say no when you are already overloaded with work. Accepting more than you can handle will only cause you more stress. This is especially true during finals and the holiday season. Delegate. Before you become overwhelmed, delegate some of the various tasks you have taken on. Empowering others will allow you to make things a little easier on yourself as well as express your confidence in others’ abilities. Consider using committees to get the job done. Empowering a committee to complete the task at hand can take some of the stress off the individual officers while giving members valuable opportunities to lead. Be flexible. Stick to your plan of action as closely as possible, but realize that situations may arise requiring a change of plans. Remember to remain flexible enough to accept these changes and work around them. Avoid distractions. If your work area is full of things other than what you are working on, it will be difficult to focus all of your attention on that one task. Remove clutter and other distracting materials from your work or study area. Do two things at once. Naturally, this should not include writing an essay while driving to school, but may include reviewing for a test while riding a stationary bicycle. If you feel you can’t continue — don’t. A common mistake made by many scholars is continuing to push themselves while they are too sick or injured to perform effectively. This can often result in prolonged illness as well as less-than-desirable results. Minimize your down time by taking care of yourself. Then you can return to your work refreshed and better able to handle your responsibilities. Make time for yourself. Although it may be necessary to keep some pressure on yourself to accomplish your tasks, it is vital that you allow yourself some personal time. During this time, you should separate yourself from the tasks that have been overwhelming you. Use this time to relax and do something you enjoy. This time does not necessarily have to be time away from Phi Theta Kappa. It could be participating in a fellowship activity or watching a movie that deals with the Honors Study Topic with your fellow members. Practice patience. Effective planning and time management are skills that take time to learn to employ properly and effectively. Be patient with yourself through this process. And remind yourself of the rewards of time well spent.
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