Teaching takes time. The key to managing time, so you have time to teach and do your job and still
have a life outside school, is being in control of your time. That’s the best way to manage stress too.
1. Control starts with planning. If you plan each day, there will always be time for the important things.
2. Prioritize your daily plan or list of activities. Try author Alan Lakeins’s (“How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life”) idea of assigning the letters A, B, C to tasks based on the value of getting
them done. Focus first on the As.
3. Get the “musts” done early in the day to avoid feeling frantic. Set goals and do important things when you have the most energy.
4. Ask yourself, “How terrible would it be if I didn’t do this low priority item?” If the answer is “Not too terrible,” then don’t.
5. When someone asks you to just do one more thing, say NO. No is a responsible answer if it won’t result in losing your job, your family, or your life. You can be direct and honest, avoid defensiveness, be brief, and suggest alternatives.
6. Use your time efficiently. Choose activities that bring the highest return in value when measured against your goals.
7. Try not to procrastinate. Set a deadline; use positive self-talk to get going; break a job into smaller tasks and do them one at a time; set a schedule and target date; reward yourself when it’s done.
8. Learn to recognize what upsets you. Avoid experiences you know cause anxiety. If you can do something about a problem, do it. If not, don’t get frustrated trying to accomplish the impossible.
9. Take stock of yourself. What do you like doing? What special skills do you have that you could develop more fully? What causes stress and how could you lessen it?
10. Recognize your limitations. Do your best job, but don’t allow yourself to become frustrated when you don’t reach perfection. Allow for failure.
11. Link up with someone to talk to. Have a colleague in whom to confide and from whom you get feedback and ideas.
12. Concentrate on the positive. Rather than worrying about something, focus on the things that went right today.
13. Get healthy! Consider if you need to make a change in eating, drinking, sleeping, or exercise habits.