What is the secret to priority management?

Answer 1

Priorities are hard for many people - you have to discipline yourself so that everything gets done on time, and that sometimes means putting off something you might like to do better in favor of something that is more important in the long run. Here are some tips to help out: * Make a written list - things are easier to decide if they are down in black and white - either on paper or on a computer. List all of your choices, including fun stuff and play (TV, Video Games, computer chatting) ... everything * Rate each item on the list in order of importance - be honest on this step. Importance should be things that will improve your school grades, help with your job, improve your mind or body, or improve your paycheck. Less important is entertainment and hobbies. * Make a calendar showing the time you think it will take to do each thing - this is another "black and white" way of seeing exactly what you have to do, which helps you to prioritize better. You can also have a check-box or chart so that you can mark off which parts you have completed and how far you have come on each item - that gives you a good sense of accomplishment and keeps you on top of the time limits. * Reward yourself for doing the right thing - you can either put money into a jar every time you succeed at a less-pleasant task and use the money to buy something nice, or keep track of your progress like they do in those charity fund raisers (a big poster or chart), or anything you can come up with to help encourage you! Think of priorities as a big jar - first you put the big rocks in your jar, then you put in the little rocks, then you put in the sand - and then you fill it up with soda! There is always more room if you put in the important things first instead of filling it up with little rocks and sand - and no matter what's inside your jar, there's always room for a soda! OK, you can fill up your jar with a healthy fruit juice if you want.