Habit 3: Put First Things First

Managing Our Time To Be Highly Effective

Life Can Be Busy! How we manage our time can make the difference between effectiveness and stressfulness.

Who has a life that is governed by the clock?

Work deadlines Study commitments Exams & assignments Time with friends Family time Boy friend / girl friend Exercising Relaxing Canteen leader commitments Health appointments Hobbies Interests Sporting Team Member

Playing the Balancing Game

Learning to prioritise and manage our time efficiently can be very difficult to do, we are often pulled in different directions with a never ending amount of things to do. How many of us feel like we are often snowed under with school, Uni, work and commitments to friends and family? So how do we change this?

Put First Things First

Earlier we looked at The Courage Zone as part of Putting First Things First. Putting First Things First has another part: it is about learning to prioritise and manage your time so that your first things [Your greatest priorities] come first, not last.

How Do You Use Your Time?

Are you a:
Procrastinator? Yes Man/Woman? Slacker? Prioritiser?

The Time Quadrants

Q 1, The Procrastinator
Often things just happen in life and we need to deal with them like being sick and not being able to work on an assignment until the last minute, however, we are often the cause of many of the Q1 headaches because we put off doing important things until the last minute and they then become urgent.

Too much life in Q1 =

Stress, Burnout, Mediocre Performance
Group Exercise complete task on page 122122-123. Are you a procrastinator?

Quadrant 1. The Procrastinator

Class discussion Do you agree with the findings of the assessment? How do you feel when you spend too much time in Q1? What can you do to avoid Procrastination? What are the benefits of avoiding Procrastination?

Quadrant 3. The Yes Man/Woman

The yes man/woman is often characterized by responding to other peoples every whim. This quadrant is jam packed full of things that are very important to other people but not to you. Results of spending too much time in Q3 =
Reputation for being a pleaser, Lack of discipline, Feeling like a doormat

How many of us fall into this category?

Quadrant 4. The Slacker

This is the category of waste and excess. These activities are neither urgent or important. Results of spending too much time in Q4 =
Lack of responsibility, Feelings of Guilt, Flakiness.

How many of us fall into this category?

Quadrant 2. The Prioritizer

This is the category of things that are important but not urgent. Q2 is the quadrant of excellence where things are done and organized before they become urgent and a stress in our lives. Results of spending time living in Q2 =
Control of your life, Balance, High performance.

How many of us fall into this category?

So how do we change?

Spend less time in Q1. Say no to Q3. Reduce the time spent Slacking off Q4. Gain increased time in Q2.

What Are Some Big Role Roles In Our lives That People Have To Mangage Each Week? Let s Brainstorm

Big Rocks

The Big Rocks

Each week, you have priority tasks that MUST/SHOULD get done; These can be classed as your Big Rocks . There are also the nonnonimportant things that usually are not a priority; these are known as the Small Rocks . These big rocks are the most important things that need to be done and are linked to your mission statement and goals.

Big Rocks DVD1

Big Rocks & The Weekly Plan

During the Big Rock Demo, it was clear to see that by planning and looking after the big rocks first, all the other things in life could be fitted in. By prioritising and planning, our lives can be more structured and less stressed.

Individual Task Linking Big Rocks to our Weekly Planner

Identify the key roles in your life. What Big Rock issue do you need to achieve this week under this role heading. EG: Task List In the list below write down important tasks that you need to program into your week. Finish my training program Due date Due Date: Friday 19th March 1. _____________________________________________________________________ 2. _____________________________________________________________________ 3. _____________________________________________________________________ 4. _____________________________________________________________________ 5. _____________________________________________________________________ 6. _____________________________________________________________________

ue

Role: Student Big Rock: LLS assignment due Big Rock: Maths HW: 13.2 14.9 Big Rock: Science part 2 due

Exercise / Health Role:_____________________________

Gym 3 X week Big Rock____________________ Meditation in PM Big Rock____________________ Walk Canteen Team Big Rock____________________

Friend Role:_____________________________
Big Rock____________________ Big Rock____________________ Big Rock____________________ Role:_____________________________ Big Rock____________________ Big Rock____________________ Big Rock____________________

Son / Daughter

Canteen Leader Role:_____________________________

Review camp lessons Big Rock____________________
Big Rock____________________ Big Rock____________________

Teaching Teens To Prioritise Their Time: A Campsite Example!

Identify the key roles you have at camp this morning. What Big Rock issues do you need to achieve in order to leave at the scheduled time? EG: Role: Personal Organisation Big Rock: Dress in my hike gear Big Rock: Empty Out The Tent
Empty Out The Big Rock: Pack my pack Tent Dress in my hike gear

Big Rock: Finalise pack to leave Pack My Pack Role: Tent Mate Big Rock: Clean inside of tent. Big Rock: Help pack the tent up. Big Rock: Tidy area around tent Role: Part of Food Group Big Rock: Prepare & eat Bfast Big Rock: Wash up & clean Big Rock: Filter Water for day Role: Navigator Big Rock: Plan out hike route Big Rock: Discuss hazard potential Role: Environment Carer Big Rock: Rubbish check of camp

Leave On Time & Learn Life Planning Skills at the same time!

Identify the key roles in your life. What Big Rock issue do you need to achieve this week under this role heading. EG: Role: Student Big Rock: History Test Wed Big Rock: Maths: 13.2 14.9 Fri Big Rock: Science assn due Wed Role: Athlete Big Rock: Training Tues, Thur Big Rock: Weights Mon Wed Fri Big Rock: Game Saturday Role: Son Big Rock: Family Dinner Sun PM Big Rock: Do chores help mum. Big Rock: Role: Friend Big Rock: Movie Sat PM mates Big Rock: DofE planning for silver Big Rock: Role: Boy Friend of Jess Big Rock: Phone her after h/work Big Rock: Beach day Sun PM Big Rock: Movie Sat night.

Study for science test Meet with mates for Movie Sunday Gym Training Mon, Wed, Fri Morning Rowing Training Tues, Thurs, Sat AM Massage Wed night Dinner Sat night with Dad & Mum History Paper Due this Friday start early. Set aside time for mental skills training Set weekly goals 6.30 6.30 6.00 7.00 Set my weekly training and life goals 8.30 Movies with Jack, Judy and Dean 7.30 Gym & Ergo Session Scots Gym

6.00

7.30 Gym & Ergo Session Scots Gym

5.30 5.00

6.30 Recovery Massage @ Physio 7.30 Rowing Training Gladesville

9.30 6.30 7.30 7.30 Work on History Assignment 8.30 Study for science test

10.00 Practice my technique imagery.

6.00

7.30 Gym & Ergo Session Scots Gym

5.00

7.30 Rowing Training Gladesville

5.00 7.30 9.30 9.00 Work on Maths equations 10.00 Listen to competition relaxation CD 6.00

7.30 Rowing Training Gladesville 8.30 Dinner with Mum & Dad

2002 Franklin Covey Co.

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