Time Management Tips

The term time management is really a misnomer. We cannot manage time, it is a constant. In reality what we as teachers and individuals can manage are our activities.

Teaching is the never-ending job. There is always more planning, cleaning, photocopying, laminating, reading, filing, etc., that we can do. Again, I can say this having worked in other professions. It is probably similar to what business owners experience; there is always something else you could do to make the business better.

Do You:

Feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks you must complete each day?

Procrastinate and leave the difficult tasks to the last possible minute?

Get anxious just thinking about all you have to do?

Misplace important papers, forms, etc.?

Never get to the end of your "To Do" list?

What we need to do as teachers is to manage our activities and set boundaries. We need to know when to stop so we can re-energize ourselves and give attention to other areas of our life.

If you have been teaching for many years you may have learned time management (I'll continue to use that term because it is so widely recognized) by trial and error (or maybe not). If you are a newer teacher you may be struggling with all the tasks that you have to do. Nothing will overwhelm you faster, and drain you of energy, than not having a good system in place to manage all you need to do each day.

Now there are many important things that I need to do every day as a teacher. The primary one for my students' success is to make sure I am making a personal connection with them. I believe that without that personal connection, and really knowing my students, all the planning and teaching will not be effective. Always remember that content follows connection. Communication with students, parents, and colleagues is also paramount. I know this could go without saying but I felt it was important to highlight.

If you've visited the Success Strategies section at this site and read the Goal Setting article, you are already positioned to better manage your time. Having clear goals really helps organize you both personally and professionally. Knowing your long-term and short-term goals will keep you focused and productive.

By making your daily "To Do" list from your goals the night before, you are set to start the next day already more organized. For the best results and most focused action you should plan every day in advance. This time management tip will increase your productivity by about 25% per day!

There are many ways for teachers to improve their time management skills by making an effective "To Do" list.

Click on the following pages below for specific time management strategies that will be helpful in your teaching career and also in achieving your personal goals.

Time Management Tips: Your "To Do" List

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