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L
EARNING
TO
L
EARN
: B
ECOMING
A
S
ELF
-G
ROWER
123
E
XPERIENCE
5: T
IME
, P
LANNING
,
AND
P
RODUCTIVITY
READING
Obstacles to Efficient Time Management
Inefficient scheduling
Too often we neglect to consider the hidden time requirements for tasks, and as a result, we underes-
timate the time required to complete a task. As an example, you might plan a 10-minute drive to meet
a friend, but what if you need to gas up your car? What was a simple 10-minute drive is now a 15 or
20-minute activity. Similarly, we tend to downplay the actual time commitments involved for tasks
like studying and writing papers. This is just one reason that identifying the actual amount of time
you spend on tasks in a given week is so important; once you know the actual time that different tasks
require, you can formulate a realistic schedule. Another pitfall for many people is over-scheduling
and over-extending themselves. There is often tremendous pressure on individuals to prove that they
can “do it all.” No one can. Over-scheduling and over-extending yourself not only leads to decreased
performance but also causes stress, which compromise your physical and mental health. Having a
realistic schedule means that you’ll have to say “NO” sometimes.
Distractibility
It is easy to become distracted when a task is not interesting. Not all tasks will automatically engage
you; you must find ways to MAKE tasks interesting. Be inventive, create mnemonics, even visualize
Pythagoras trying to sell his theorem on an infomercial if that’s what it takes. In short, do whatever you
have to do to help focus your attention on the task or subject at hand.
•
When studying, try to limit exposure to possible distractions.
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If a situation or problem consistently distracts you, consider shifting focus to that problem long
enough to solve it. It is better to allow a single, productive distraction (getting rid of the distraction
once and for all) than to allow ongoing or multiple distractions that do nothing more than repeatedly
break your concentration.
•
Many working professionals have found that turning OFF cell phones, e-mail, and instant messag-
ing when trying to get work done allows them to focus better and be more efficient.
•
Trying to remember various obligations and tasks is a common distractor. You may be reading and
find yourself thinking things like, “I’ve got to remember to take my calculator tomorrow” or “I
hope I don’t forget to meet my study group at the library instead of the study center.” This is where
keeping a daily “to-do” list is a lifesaver. When you create your list for the day in the morning (or
the night before), you add all the items you know
you will need to accomplish that day. Once the
items are on the list, you only need to remember
to keep the list with you (one thing) rather than all
the items on the list. If additional tasks occur to
you, add them to your list immediately so you can
get back to focusing on the task at hand.
Over-organization
Another obstacle to efficient time management is
over-organization. This may not sound like a bad
thing; after all, how could someone be
too
organized?
But it is a danger, especially for people who enjoy