Organizing Time

You will work to answer the following questions:

• 1. Why do we need to be more organized?

  2. What are some time management skills I can use?

  3. Which tools can help me be more organized, efficient and productive?

  4. How can goal-setting help me be more organized?

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Assignment 1: Why do we need to be more organized?

Being organized can lead to our being more productive- getting more done. So often we try to do several things at once (multi-tasking) which leads to low productivity. We end up taking a long time to get all the jobs done when it is better to do one thing at a time. Being organized also means planning. We plan by setting dates for projects or just things we need to do. This involves using calendars and “to do” lists.

Task A> Organization You are to write a three part blog post by interviewing at least 2 students and 2 adults to:

• 1. Ask them to explain the benefits of being more organized.

  2. Ask them to explain what prevents people from being organized.

  3. Ask them how they handle staying connected with social networking tools while also being efficient and productive when they use computing devices including smart phones.

  4. Create your own “top 5 list” of how to be more organized, efficient and productive especially when using technology. In other words, what actions do people need to take to use their time effectively?

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Assignment 2: What are some time management skills I can use?

How proactive are you? Do you react to situations or go into them with a plan of action prepared and ready? Time management is all about planning and using one’s time effectively to be more productive. This involves setting goals, using “to do” list, handling one’s e-mail for good communication and definitely making the most of the calendar.

Task B> Time Management Go to the following Web sites for ideas on using time management skills. Read and think about the ideas being shared.

• 1. Add a new section to your mind map entitled “Time Management”.

  2. Review the 3 sites in the Time Management links below. Take notes in your mind map as you read the information in each site. Then write a blog post entitled “Time Management Tips” sharing the main points from your note taking. Remember to list the Web sites in your post to tell where your information came from.

  3. You are also to create a daily & weekly schedule in the Online Daily and Weekly Schedule Builder sites listed below. Print your schedules and bring them to class.

|Time Management|

•Time Management

•Time Management II

•Time Management Overview

|Online Daily and Weekly Schedule Builders|

•Develop a Daily Schedule

•Develop a Weekly Schedule

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Assignment 3: Which tools can help me be more organized, efficient and productive? What does it mean to be organized - efficient - productive? Besides the tools listed below, what are other ones you know if that you want to share with the class?

We use calendars (paper, digital, online), e-mail and instant messaging, “to do” lists, and goal-setting techniques to help us be more organized, efficient and productive.

Task C> Tools Use the links below to learn more about using Gmail, iCal and To Do lists. Review the daily and weekly schedule information you created in Assignment 2. Open either iCal or Google calendar depending upon your preference. Plan the next 5 days. Review the Gmail tutorial to help you make the most of this valuable communication tool. Make it a daily task to check your Gmail!

•Gmail & Google Docs Tutorials I & II

•iCal Tutorial I & II

•Google Calendar Tutorial

•Online To Do List “Remember the Milk”

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Assignment 4: How can goal-setting help me be more organized?

Task D> Goal Setting Review the following Web resources on goal-setting. Write a blog post where you list the top 5 tips you learned from reading these resources. We will be doing a lot more goal setting as you create your portfolio.

•Goal Setting

•Setting Priorities

Now go to HIS Culture