Prioritizing tasks may prove to be quite a tough feat when an individual has too much on their plate. Determining the difference between urgent tasks and important tasks may aid in the fight. Author Stephen Covey has developed a matrix the he described in his book, First Things First. Covey's "book is based on premise that most people are driven by concept of urgency" (Thatha, 2009, pg. 1, para. IV). In order to get power charged positive results, the focus should be placed on the concept of importance rather than urgency.
Covey has developed a matrix that contains four boxes. Tasks for the day, week, or even month will be placed in box 1, 2, 3, or 4 depending on how important and how urgent the task is. Box 1 is meant the important and urgent tasks. These tasks cannot wait or be put off for another time. Box 2 is meant for tasks that are important, but not urgent. Improving skills and family vacations will fall under this category. Box 3 contains tasks that are not important, but they are urgent. Business meetings, phone calls, and e-mail will fall under this category.
[...] (2012). Effective Time Management. Retrieved on July from http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/effective-time-management. Hanson, Bob and Hanson, Shirley. (2003). Five Practical Steps You Can Take Now For Peak Performance. Retrieved on June from http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Hanson1.html. Henry, Alan. (2012). Break for a Moment Before Switching Tasks to Stay Sharp and Keep Focused. Retrieved on July from http://lifehacker.com/5911909/break-for-a-moment-before-switching- tasks-to-stay-sharp-and-keep-focused. Landers, Denise. (2009). Assertiveness Helps with Time Management Skills. Retrieved on July from http://www.keyorganization.com/blog/assertiveness-helps-with- time-management-skills. [...]
[...] Box 1 is meant the important and urgent tasks. These tasks cannot wait or be put off for another time. Box 2 is meant for tasks that are important, but not urgent. Improving skills and family vacations will fall under this category. Box 3 contains tasks that are not important, but they are urgent. Business meetings, phone calls, and e-mail will fall under this category. The final box is for tasks and items that are not important and not at all urgent. [...]
[...] Setting realistic deadlines keep peak performance at it all time high. Individuals and teams feel accomplished when goals are met. When goals are not achieved individuals and teams will experience the polar opposite effect and may become increasingly discouraged. Stress induced by increasing amounts of additional tasks and other time wasters may lead a person into the valley of performance. Frequent, but brief breaks will give a person a renewed sense of energy as they take time for reflection. The breaks will increase morale and production. [...]
[...] Others may work or attend a university. There are even some that take on all three at once. Their stress levels are possibly high, yet they must still be able to push through the stress and complete class assignments. For all walks of life, strict time constraints and deadlines often prove to be rather difficult. If working in a group setting the team will have to make a decision: should they plan ahead and if so how far ahead. Time management is important to have especially when the unknown or unforeseen can occur. [...]
[...] Assertiveness Having assertive mannerisms can help a team tackle difficult decisions and tasks. assertive person will have an easier time in implementing and maintaining good time management routines” (Landers pg para. I). There are three shades of assertiveness: low assertiveness, generalized assertiveness, and aggression. Low Assertiveness Those who fall under this category have difficulty turning down additional tasks. They are overly selfless and have an overwhelming desire to please others. At the same rate, if they do turn down an additional task they feel a sense of guilt. [...]
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