Part 1: Time Management Strategies for Teachers that Work
We could all use more time. Time is one of our precious resources that once it’s gone… it’s gone. We can never create more and we will never have an opportunity to live those moments again. So how can we make the most of our time?
I thrive in a productive environment, and typically feel that I’m able to get a lot done. I’d like to share some tips and tricks on productivity, and how to make the most of your planning hour, free time, and work time. I’ll break these ideas into 3 different blog posts: 1. Time Management Strategies, 2. Practical Life Hacks to Save Time, and 3. Rest is Productive. Today we’ll focus on some proven Time Management Strategies.
There are many different Time Management strategies that work. The key is finding the one that works for YOU. I can offer suggestions and anecdotes on what has worked for me, but ultimately you need to find what works best for you. Possibly through some trial and error.
I begin each day by making a list. I typically have several lists going at a time. One is an ongoing list, and one is a smaller list of tasks specific to that day. This helps me keep the larger picture in mind without feeling overwhelmed. Personally, I need an attainable list of tasks that I know I can get accomplished that day. I love to cross things off of a list and see an entire list accomplished! Sometimes I break that daily task list into the following categories: Things I NEED to do, SHOULD do, COULD do, and things I WANT to do. Sometimes just the act of identifying whether a task is a need or want is important in itself.
Another consideration to make is the importance and urgency of each task. The following graphic illustrates the Eisenhower Time Management Matrix, which charts tasks based on their importance and urgency.
For example, if I have a concert tomorrow and I haven’t typed up a program yet, I could determine that it is a “1”- important (to me) and time-sensitive or urgent. However, if that concert is 3 weeks away, I can recognize that task potentially as a “2” because it is less urgent. This model can help you prioritize your task list and keep you from feeling overwhelmed.
My belief is that you don’t need to be rigid and assign all of your tasks a number. However, it may help you in the beginning when your entire list feels important and pressing. Once you determine its importance and urgency, you can decide one of the 4 D’s: DO, DEFER, DELEGATE, or DELETE. If you have a task on your list that you assigned as a “4” and recognize that it’s not important and not urgent…. Maybe you can delete it! We’ll talk about some ways to successfully delegate in another post.
Another time management strategy is the Pomodoro method. And no, it’s not for pasta! This time management strategy is a method of 25 minutes of work followed by a 5 minute break. Typically, a longer 15-20 minute break follows 4 of these work cycles.
I think that this work method works perfectly for teachers. We are already conditioned to work in this manner throughout the day with our students. Practically, you can fit about 2 pomodoro work cycles in a 1-hour planning period. Divide your planning hour into 2 segments and give yourself a break in-between. This may help to keep yourself more focused during your assigned work intervals. That 5 minute break feels like a reward for getting my work done! Personally, I am also a deadline-oriented person (ahem, procrastinator…) so this helps define my work parameters and goals and gives me a deadline!
I like to use the “Forest” app on my phone. I can set a work timer and grow trees, shrubs, and flowers as I complete my work time. It prevents me from checking my phone and wasting time.
Forest App
Side Note: Like maybe some of you, I am working to detach myself from my phone and devices and it can be DIFFICULT. And frankly sometimes I just want to unwind or zone out. However, think about it this way: If you spend 15 minutes every day during your planning hour surfing Facebook, TikTok, whatever, that equates to over an hour a week. If we multiply that out over a typical 180 school days a year… that’s 2,700 minutes. Which is 45 HOURS! An entire work week! I don’t know about you, but that makes me look at 15 minutes a day very differently!
There is no right or wrong way to manage your time. It’s about finding out what works best for YOU. What is your favorite time management method? In the next post, I’ll offer some practical life hacks to help save time and use your time more effectively.
