Managing Yourself for Study

7/29/2019 Managing Yourself for Study

1/31

1.0 MANAGING YOURSELF FOR STUDY

2.0 Academic skills

2.1 Critical thinking

What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally. It includes the ability to

engage in reflective and independent thinking. Someone with critical thinking skills is able to

do the following :

understand the logical connections between ideas identify, construct and evaluate arguments

detect inconsistencies and common mistakes in reasoning

solve problems systematically

identify the relevance and importance of ideas

reflect on the justification of one's own beliefs and values

Critical thinking is not a matter of accumulating information. A person with a good memory

and who knows a lot of facts is not necessarily good at critical thinking. A critical thinker is

able to deduce consequences from what he knows, and he knows how to make use of

information to solve problems, and to seek relevant sources of information to inform himself.

Critical thinking should not be confused with being argumentative or being critical of other

people. Although critical thinking skills can be used in exposing fallacies and bad reasoning,

critical thinking can also play an important role in cooperative reasoning and constructive

tasks. Critical thinking can help us acquire knowledge, improve our theories, and strengthen

arguments. We can use critical thinking to enhance work processes and improve social

institutions.

Some people believe that critical thinking hinders creativity because it requires following the

rules of logic and rationality, but creativity might require breaking rules. This is a

misconception. Critical thinking is quite compatible with thinking "out-of-the-box",

challenging consensus and purusing less popular approaches. If anything, critical thinking is

an essential part of creativity because we need critical thinking to evaluate and improve our

creative ideas.


2/31

Importance

Critical thinking is a domain-general thinking skill. The ability to think clearly and

rationally is important whatever we choose to do. If you work in education, research, finance,

management or the legal profession, then critical thinking is obviously important. But critical

thinking skills are not restricted to a particular subject area. Being able to think well and solve

problems systematically is an asset for any career.

Critical thinking is very important in the new knowledge economy. The global knowledge

economy is driven by information and technology. One has to be able to deal with changes

quickly and effectively. The new economy places increasing demands on flexible intellectualskills, and the ability to analyse information and integrate diverse sources of knowledge in

solving problems. Good critical thinking promotes such thinking skills, and is very important

in the fast-changing workplace.

Critical thinking enhances language and presentation skills. Thinking clearly and

systematically can improve the way we express our ideas. In learning how to analyse the

logical structure of texts, critical thinking also improves comprehension abilities.

Critical thinking promotes creativity. To come up with a creative solution to a problem

involves not just having new ideas. It must also be the case that the new ideas being generated

are useful and relevant to the task at hand. Critical thinking plays a crucial role in evaluatingnew ideas, selecting the best ones and modifying them if necessary

Critical thinking is crucial for self-reflection. In order to live a meaningful life and to

structure our lives accordingly, we need to justify and reflect on our values and decisions.

Critical thinking provides the tools for this process of self-evaluation.

Good critical thinking is the foundation of science and a liberal democratic society.

Science requires the critical use of reason in experimentation and theory confirmation. The

proper functioning of a liberal democracy requires citizens who can think critically about

social issues to inform their judgments about proper governance and to overcome biases and

prejudice.

Other definitions

Here are some more other definitions of critical thinking. It can be seen that they all

emphasize the importance of clarity and rationality.

The Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisalis a well-known psychological test of criticalthinking ability. The authors of this test define critical thinking as :


3/31

... a composite of attitudes, knowledge and skills. This composite includes: (1)

attitudes of inquiry that involve an ability to recognize the existence of problems

and an acceptance of the general need for evidence in support of what is

asserted to be true; (2) knowledge of the nature of valid inferences, abstractions,

and generalizations in which the weight or accuracy of different kinds of evidence

are logically determined; and (3) skills in employing and applying the aboveattitudes and knowledge.

The following excerpt comes from Dr. Peter A. Facione (1990) "Critical Thinking: A

Statement of Expert Consensus for Purposes of Educational Assessment and Instruction", a

report for the American Philosophical Association.

"We understand critical thinking to be purposeful, self-regulatory judgment which

results in interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and inference, as well as

explanation of the evidential, conceptual, methodological, criteriological, or

contextual considerations upon which that judgment is based. CT is essential as atool of inquiry. As such, CT is a liberating force in education and a powerful

resource in one's personal and civic life. While not synonymous with good

thinking, CT is a pervasive and self-rectifying human phenomenon. The ideal

critical thinker is habitually inquisitive, well-informed, trustful of reason, open-

minded, flexible, fairminded in evaluation, honest in facing personal biases,

prudent in making judgments, willing to reconsider, clear about issues, orderly in

complex matters, diligent in seeking relevant information, reasonable in the

selection of criteria, focused in inquiry, and persistent in seeking results which

are as precise as the subject and the circumstances of inquiry permit. Thus,

educating good critical thinkers means working toward this ideal. It combinesdeveloping CT skills with nurturing those dispositions which consistently yield

useful insights and which are the basis of a rational and democratic society."

The last excerpt comes from a statement written by Michael Scriven and Richard Paul,

National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, an organization promoting critical

thinking in the US.

Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully

conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information

gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning,

or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is

based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions:

clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good

reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness. It entails the examination of those

structures or elements of thought implicit in all reasoning: purpose, problem, or

question-at-issue, assumptions, concepts, empirical grounding; reasoning leading

to conclusions, implications and consequences, objections from alternative

viewpoints, and frame of reference.

The following are some guidelines for critical thinking.

1. Ask questions; be willing to wonder
http://www.criticalthinking.org/University/univclass/Defining.htmlhttp://www.criticalthinking.org/University/univclass/Defining.html


4/31

2. Define the problem.

3. Examine the evidence

4. Analyze assumptions and biases

5. Avoid emotional reasoning

6. Dont use either/or thinking or over generalize

7. Consider other interpretations

8. Tolerate uncertainty.

Helping College Students Develop Critical Thinking Skills

Angela Provitera McGlynn

Objectives

Participants will learn:

What critical thinking, also known as deep thinking, entails

How to develop discussion questions that promote critical thinking

How to use specific teaching strategies that promote critical thinking

Question

What is the one thing you hope to learn from todays webinar?

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking describes the process we use to uncover and check our

assumptions.

Stephen Brookfield, (2006,Developing Critical Thinkers, p. 11)


Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-

corrective thinking. It requires rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of

their use. It entails effective communication and problem solving abilities and a commitment

to overcome our native egocentrism and sociocentrism.

Paul and Elder, (2006, p.4)



5/31

Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view

to improving it

(Paul and Elder, 2006, p.4)


The critical thinker

Raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and

precisely

Gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to

interpret it effectively

Comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing themagainst relevant criteria and standards


The critical thinker

Thinks open-mindedly within alternative systems of thought,

recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications,

and practical consequences, and

Communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to

complex problems


There are four common threads that appear in most descriptions of critical thinking:

Reasoned Thinking

Problem Solving

Fair-minded Evaluation

Informed Judgments

Nancy Halstead and Janice Tomson, (ETS Project, June 2006)


It is deeper than memorization and recall of factual information. When students

think critically, they think deeply; they not only know the facts, but they take the

additional step of going beyond the facts to do something with them.


6/31

Critical thinking involves reflecting on the information received, moving away from

surface memorization and toward deeper levels of learning.

(Joe Cuseo, Questions that Promote Deeper Thinking,

Oncoursenewsetter)


It Involves a shift away from viewing learning as the reception of information from

teacher or text (in pre-packaged form) to viewing learning as an elaboration and

transformation of received information into a different form by the learner.


Oncoursenewsetter)


This broad definition of critical thinking does not equate critical thinking with the

cognitive process of evaluation or critique; instead, it incorporates evaluation as one

specific form or type of critical thinking. This is an important distinction, not only for

the purpose of definitional clarity, but also for the practical purpose of combating the

prevalent student misconception that critical thinking means being being critical.


Oncoursenewsetter)

Developing Discussion Questions to Promote Critical Thinking

a) What are the implications of ___?

(b) Why is ___ important?

(c) What is another way to look at ___?

Questions that ask students to reflect on their own thinking processes and to identify

what particular form of critical thinking they are using metacognition

(Joe Cuseo, Questions that Promote Deeper Thinking,Oncoursenewsetter)


After students have communicated their ideas, either orally via group discussions or

in writing via minute papers, I periodically ask them to reflect on what type of critical

thinking my question was designed to promote and whether they think they

demonstrated that critical thinking in their response. I typically ask them to record

their personal reflections in writing, either working individually or in pairs; in the

latter case, their task is to listen and record the reflections shared by their partner.


7/31


Oncoursenewsetter)


One distinguishing characteristic of high-achieving college students is that theytend to reflect on their thought processes during learning and are aware of the

cognitive strategies they use (Weinstein & Underwood, 1985).


Oncoursenewsetter)

Metacognition: Thinking about Thinking


Additional research indicates that students can learn to engage in such meta-

cognition (thinking about thinking) if they are regularly asked self-assessment

questions, which require reflection on their own thought processes. When students

learn to routinely ask themselves these questions, the depth and quality of their

thinking are enhanced (Resnick, 1986)


Oncoursenewsetter)


Higher-level thinking questions

Open-ended questions aimed at provoking divergent thinking

Go beyond knowledge-level recall

Should promote evaluation and synthesis of facts and concepts

Should start or end with words or phrases such as explain, compare,

why

(Walker, S.E. Active Learning Promotes Critical Thinking)

Activity

Please develop one higher-level thinking question in your discipline

Please share with a partner


8/31


Socratic questioning

Focuses on clarification

Probes or explores the meaning, justification, or logical strength of a claim or

position

How is X similar or different from Y?

Debate format gets students to see multiple sides of an issue

(Walker, S.E. Active Learning Promotes Critical Thinking)

Teaching Strategies that Promote Critical Thinking

Ask students to summarize in writing and orally what the teacher or another student

has said

Ask students to elaborate on what has been said either by giving examples and using

their own words

Ask students to make connections between related concepts

PROMOTING ACTIVE LEARNING (How to Improve Student

Learning: A Miniature Guide for those who teach) by Dr. Richard Paul

and Dr. Linda Elder


Ask students to state the most important concept of the class thus far (Angelo and

Cross,1993)

Ask students to state the most confusing point of the class thus far (Angelo and Cross,

1993)

Ask students to discuss any of the above with a partner for 30 seconds, and then ask

them to participate in a class discussion


Ask students to deliberate on real-life situations such as mock jury trials

Ask students to write and/or present persuasive arguments that are data and evidence

based


9/31

Get students to debate content-related material

(Halstead and Tomson, 2006)


Get students to keep journals on their reactions and evaluations of what they read forclass

Create problem-solving exercises and get students to work collaboratively

Give students essays to write that ask them to interpret, synthesize, analyze, and

evaluate material

(Halstead and Tomson, 2006)


JiTT Just-in-Time Teaching

developed at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and

the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1996 and has since spread rapidly across

disciplines, various types of institutions, and course levels


According to Gregor Novak, Professor Emeritus at IUPUI, who spearheaded the

development of JiTT and is now co-director of the JiTTDL (digital library) project,

the heart of the JiTT approach is the feedback loop formed by the students

preparation outside of class that affects what happens during the subsequent in-

class session.


JiTT incorporates web-based materials with classroom instruction to maximize the in-

class and outside-of-class learning environments

JiTT engages students in the course material by posting weekly questions for students

that require outside of class reading and responses.


The instructor gathers the responses prior to the class lecture/discussion period Just-

in-time to use them to clarify any misconceptions about course content and then

guides students through follow-up in-class activities

What happens in class is determined by an analysis of students prior responses



10/31

JiTT enhances student involvement because students come to class having recently

completed their web assignment; therefore, they come ready to participate. Students

typically also feel empowered since they know that what will happen in class depends

in part on what they and their classmates have formulated.

JiTT Fosters Class Discussions


Highly flexible, JiTT can be adapted to different disciplines, different courses and

levels, varying class schedules, and different instructor preferences. The basic

component is always the feedback loop between what students do during class and

what they do prior to and after class.

Adding Tools to Your Trade/Art

What can you do that you havent tried before to help your students develop critical

thinking skills?

Appendix

Blooms Taxonomy and Revision

Blooms Taxonomy

Bloom, B.S. (1956)

In 1956, Benjamin Bloom headed a group of educational psychologists who developed

a classification of levels of intellectual behavior important in learning.

During the 1990's a new group of cognitive psychologists, lead by Lorin Anderson (a

former student of Bloom's), updated the taxonomy reflecting relevance to 21st century

work

(Pohl, M. Website:

http://www.odu.edu/educ/roverbau/Bloom/blooms_taxonomyhtm)

Blooms Taxonomy

Bloom, B.S. (1956)

Blooms Taxonomy used the categories knowledge, comprehension, application,

analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Anderson and her colleagues changed the nouns to

verbs and altered the highest levels of thinking remembering, understanding,

applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating

(Pohl, M. Website:

http://www.odu.edu/educ/roverbau/Bloom/blooms_taxonomyhtm)


11/31

Blooms Taxonomy Revised Version

(Anderson, L.W. et al., 2000)

1. Remembering: can the student recall or remember the information?

2. Understanding: can the student explain ideas or concepts?

3. Applying: can the student use the information in a new way?

4. Analysing: can the student distinguish between the different parts?

5. Evaluating: can the student justify a stand or decision?

6. Creating: can the student create new product or point of view?

7. define, duplicate, list, memorize, recall, repeat, state

8. classify, describe, discuss, explain, identify, locate, recognize, report, select, translate,

paraphrase

9. choose, demonstrate, dramatize, employ, illustrate, interpret, operate, schedule, sketch,

solve, use, write

10. appraise, compare, contrast, criticize, differentiate, examine, experiment, question, test

11. appraise, argue, defend, judge, support, evaluate

12. assemble, construct create, design, develop, formulate, write

Blooms Taxonomy Questions

Bloom, B.S. (1956)

Knowledge

Who, what, when, where, how ...?

Describe

Comprehension

Retell...

Application

How is...an example of...?

How is...related to...?

Why is...significant?


12/31


Bloom, B.S. (1956)

Analysis

What are the parts or features of...?

Classify...according to...

Outline/diagram...

How does...compare/contrast with...?

What evidence can you list for...?

Blooms Taxonomy QuestionsBloom, B.S. (1956)

Synthesis

What would you predict/infer from...?

What ideas can you add to...?

How would you create/design a new...?

What might happen if you combined...?

What solutions would you suggest for...?


Bloom, B.S. (1956)

Evaluation

Do you agree...?

What do you think about...?

What is the most important...?

Place the following in order of priority...

How would you decide about...?

What criteria would you use to assess...?


13/31

Angelas most recent books by Atwood Publishing, 888 242-7101,

www.atwoodpublishing.com

References

Anderson, L.W., Krathwohl, D.R., Airasian, P.W., & Cruikshank, K.A. (2000). ATaxonomy of Learning, Teaching, and Assessing: A Revision of Blooms Taxonomy

of Educational Objectives, Allyn & Bacon, 2nd. Edition.

Angelo,T.A. and Cross, K.P. (1993). Classroom Assessment Techniques: A Handbook

for College Teachers, Second Ed., San Francisco: Jossey-Bass

References

Astin, A.W. (1993) What Matters in College? Four Critical Years Revisited. San

Francisco: Jossey-Bass

Bonwell C.C. and Eison, J.A. (1991). Active Learning: Creating Excitement in the

Classroom. ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report No. 1. Washington DC: George

Washington Univesity School of Education and Human Development

References

Bloom, B.S. (1956). Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, Handbook 1:The

Cognitive Domain, NY: David McKay Co., Inc.

The Case for Learner-Centered Education, ON Course Newsletter,

http://oncourseworkshop.com

References

Brookfield, S. (2006). Developing Critical Thinkers, from Workshop Materials,

PowerPoints, Book Extracts, www.StephenBrookfield.com.

Brufee, K.A. (1993). Collaborative learning: Higher education, interdependence, and

the Authority of Knowledge, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press

References

Cuseo, J. (1996). Cooperative Learning: Pedagogy for Addressing Contemporary

Challenges and Critical Issues in Higher Education. Stillwater, OK: New Forums

Press.

Cuseo, J. Oncoursenewsletter, http://www.oncourseworkshop.com/Learning030.htm

Halstead, N. and Tomson, J. Unpublished, Critical Thinking, ETS Project June 2006.

References


14/31

Novak, Patterson, Gavin, & Christians Just-In-Time Teaching: Blending Active

Learning with Web Technology,(1999), Benjamin Cummings Publishers

Paul, R. and Elder, L. ((2006). The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts

and Tools, The Foundation for CriticalThinking, www.criticalthinking.org.

References

Paul, R., and Elder, D. (2002). How to Improve Student Learning: A Miniature Guide

for those who teach: 30 Practical Ideas. The Foundation for Critical Thinking,

www.criticalthinking.org.

Pohl, M. Website re Blooms Taxonomy,

http://www.odu.edu/educ/roverbau/Bloom/blooms_taxonomy.htm).

References

Resnick, L. B. (1986).Education and learning to think. Special Report. Pittsburgh:

University of Pittsburgh, Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and

Education.

Walker, S. E.,Active Learning Strategies to Promote Critical Thinking, 2003 JulSep,

Journal of Athletic Training. 38(3): 263267.

References

Weinstein, C. E., & Underwood, V. L. (1985). Learning strategies: The how of

learning. In J. W. Segal, S. F. Chapman, & R. Glaser (Eds.), Thinking and learning

skills (pp. 241-258). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.


15/31

2.2

3.0 People skills

4.0 Task management skills

5.0


16/31

Time Management

It is rightly said Time and Tide wait for none. An individual should understand the value of

time for him to succeed in all aspects of life. People who waste time are the ones who fail to

create an identity of their own.

What is Time Management ?

Time Management refers to managing time effectively so that the right time is

allocated to the right activity.

Effective time management allows individuals to assign specific time slots to activities

as per their importance.

Time Management refers to making the best use of time as time is always limited.

Ask yourself which activity is more important and how much time should be allocated to the

same? Know which work should be done earlier and which can be done a little later.

Time Management plays a very important role not only in organizations but also in our

personal lives.

Time Management includes:

i. Effective Planning

ii. Setting goals and objectives

iii. Setting deadlines


17/31


18/31

For Effective Time Management one needs to be:

Organized - Avoid keeping stacks of file and heaps of paper at your workstation. Throw what

all you dont need. Put important documents in folders. Keep the files in their respective

drawers with labels on top of each file. It saves time which goes on unnecessary searching.

Dont misuse time - Do not kill time by loitering or gossiping around. Concentrate on your

work and finish assignments on time. Remember your organization is not paying you for

playing games on computer or peeping into others cubicles. First complete your work and

then do whatever you feel like doing. Dont wait till the last moment.

Be Focussed - One needs to be focused for effective time management.

Develop the habit of using planners, organizers, table top calendars for better time

management. Set reminders on phones or your personal computers.

ime Management Tips for Students inShare

Time Management is nothing but managing time well and doing the right thing at the right

time. It is essential for individuals to allocate specific time slots to tasks as per their

importance and urgency.

Time Management plays a pivotal role not only in organizations but also in an individuals

personal life. Students aspiring for management courses or for that matter any professional

course need to value time to reach the pinnacle of success and stay firmly entrenched at the

top.

Let us go through some Time Management tips for Students:

Set a goal for yourself. Know what you want to achieve in life. Take apen and paper and write down where you want to see yourself five years

from now. Setting an objective for yourself gives you a sense of direction.

Organize your study space. Arrange books and study material properlyat their respective places. Stationery items must not be scattered on thetable.

Plan your studies. Understand what all subjects are important and needto be done first. Go through your syllabus carefully. Find out the weightageof each subject and prepare a Task plan accordingly. Jot down what allsubjects you think should be covered in a single day against specific timeslots. Make sure you cover important topics first and then come torelatively easier ones. Beginning your day with something which is not that

important is a sheer waste of time.


19/31

Tick off subjects you have already completed. Give yourself a pat onyour back.Remember self motivation is one of the greatest tools forsuccess.

Avoid munching while studying. Prefer fruits, salads rather than calorieladen burgers, wafers, pizza etc. They make you feel sleepy and also add

to your weight.

Do a SWOT Analysis of yourself. There is no harm in writing yourweaknesses. Understand in which all areas you need to work hard.Ignoring difficult subjects is of no use. You have to do themanyways.Assign extra time to critical subjects. Be logical.

Remove all sources of distractions from your study zone. Prefer notto keep magazines, comics, novels, CDs, video games in your study room.Studying and watching television simultaneously is nothing but a waste oftime.

Do include some time for relaxation as well. No individual can studycontinuously at a stretch. One needs time to relax and unwind.

Assign some time for revision as well. Revision is essential and itmakes you perfect.

Do not go for long calls during study time . One needs to set his /herpriorities. Understand what is more important for you? Remember you willhave ample time to catch up with all your friends once you clear yourentrance exams and get into one of your dream business schools.

Make sure your study space is well lit and ventilated. Dark corners

make you feel sleepy and one finds it difficult to concentrate in studies andeventually wastes half of his/her time.

It is essential to choose the right time for studies. MBA preparationis no joke and requires focus, concentration and planning. Prefer studyingin the morning hours with less or no disturbance.

ime Management Skills inShare

The judicious use of time by an individual to succeed in all aspects of life refers to Time

Management. Time Management not only helps individuals to make the best use of time but

also ensures successful accomplishment of tasks within the stipulated time frame.

It is essential to do the right thing at the right time to earn respect at work. People who do not

value time fail to make a mark and are never taken seriously.

Let us go through some skills necessary for effective Time Management:

1. Stay Organized


20/31

The workstation must be kept clean and organized.

Keeping important files organized helps you retrieve themimmediately and thus saves time which goes on unnecessarysearching. Staple important documents together.

Do not keep stacks of files and heaps of paper on your desk. Throwwhatever you dont need.

Keep stationery items and your personal belongings like cell phone,car keys, wallet at their proper places.

Develop the habit of using an organizer. Plan your day well inadvance.

Never write on loose papers. Keep a notepad and pen handy.

3. Learn to Prioritize

Set your priorities. Do not work just for the sake of working.

Prepare a Task Plan or a To Do List the moment you settle downfor work. Jot down all the activities you wish to do in a single day asper importance and urgency.

High priority tasks must be attended to immediately. Do not startyour day with something which does not require your immediateattention.

Tick off completed tasks. It gives you a sense of relief andsatisfaction.

An employee must understand the difference between high and lowpriority tasks and also between important and urgent work.

Do not indulge in irrelevant activities. You will waste your entire dayand the output would be zero.

Be clear about your roles and responsibilities at the workplace.

4. Be Punctual and Disciplined

Being punctual helps you complete tasks way ahead of deadline.

Avoid taking too many leaves from work. Such an attitude iscompletely unprofessional.

Make sure you are there at your desk five minutes before youractual time.

Strive hard to complete tasks on time. Do not keep assignmentspending and wait for the last minute.

5. Take Ownership of work

Do not work only when your boss is around. Work for yourself. The

dedication has to come from within.


21/31

Be responsible for your work and learn to accept your mistakes.

If you have accepted something, then it becomes your responsibilityto complete it within the allotted time slot.

6. Be a little Diplomatic

Do not accept everything which comes your way. A polite NO inthe beginning will save your reputation later.

The employees must be delegated responsibilities as per theirspecialization and background. This way they take more interest andeventually finish work on time.

7. More Focused

Be a little focused and concentrate on work. Do not waste time byloitering and gossiping around.

Do not take long personal calls at work. Finish off work and leave forthe day on time. You will have ample time to catch up with yourfriends or log on to social networking sites. Playing games while youare at work is something which is not expected out of a professional.

8. Be reasonable

No individual can work for the whole day. Do include some time inyour daily schedule to speak to your team member sitting next toyou.

Do not over burden yourself.

Benefits of Time Management inShare

Time Management refers to making the best possible use of available time.

Managing time well enables an individual to do the right thing at the right time.

Time Management plays a pivotal role in ones personal as well as professional life.

Let us go through some benefits of Time Management:

Time Management makes an individual punctual and disciplined.One learns to work when it is actually required as a result of effective timemanagement. To make the judicious use of time, individuals shouldprepare a TASK PLAN or a TO DO List at the start of the day to jotdown activities which need to be done in a particular day as per theirimportance and urgency against the specific time slots assigned to eachactivity. A Task Plan gives individuals a sense of direction at theworkplace. An individual knows how his day looks like and eventually


22/31

works accordingly leading to an increased output.

One becomes more organized as a result of effective TimeManagement. Keeping the things at their proper places minimizes thetime which goes on unnecessary searching of documents, important files,folders, stationery items and so on. For better time management,

individuals keep their workstations, study zones, cubicles, meeting areasclean and organized. People learn to manage things well as a result ofTime Management.

Effective Time Management boosts an individuals morale andmakes him confident. As a result of Time Management, individualsaccomplish tasks within the stipulated time frame, making them popular intheir organization as well as amongst their peers. People who understandthe value of time are the ones who manage to stand apart from the crowd.Individuals who finish off work on time are looked up to by others and arealways the centre of attention everywhere.

Individuals who stick to a time plan are the ones who realize their

goals and objectives within the shortest possible time span.Managing time effectively helps employees to meet targets way ahead ofdeadlines and finish off task just when it is required.

Effective Time Management helps an employee to reach the pinnacle ofsuccess quickly and stay firm at the top for a longer duration. An employeewho works just for the sake of working fails to create an impression and isnever taken seriously at work. Effective time management plays a pivotalrole in increasing an individuals productivity. Output increasessubstantially when people manage their time well.

Better Time Management helps in better planning and eventually

better forecasting. Individuals learn to plan things well and know whereexactly they stand five years from now.

Research says that individuals who accomplish tasks on time areless prone to stress and anxiety. Remember there is no point inwasting time and cribbing later. Finish off pending work on time and thenyou would have ample time for your friends, relatives and family members.

Time Management enables an individual to prioritize tasks andactivities at workplace. It is foolish to stay overburdened. Do not acceptanything and everything that comes your way.

Time Management helps an individual to adopt a planned approach in life.


23/31

Time Management

Introduction

Managing time in organisations is difficult because time flows at the same rate foreveryone and cannot be 'managed' like other resources. When people talk aboutmanaging time, they really mean managing themselves and therefore choosing to usetime in the most appropriate way.

Our ability to use time well depends on the culture or unwritten rules of the organisation'How we do things round here? The personal preferences and habits of the individuals orgroups in the organisation are important. So are the skills and knowledge of those peopleof 'time management techniques', for example meeting management.

The bulk of this note describes how these factors operate and suggests a way forward ifyou wish to make improvements. Poor time management is costly.

The costs of poor time management

Organisations that are poor time managers are in permanent crisis. The urgent drives outeverything else and there is no time to think and set up procedures for handlingpredictable problems. This increases the crises as these problems arrive.

Time is spent on doing and not on longer range work like thinking and coordinating.Systems grow and outlive their usefulness because everyone is too busy to ask why theyneed them. This causes much overlapping and wasted effort.

It is often hard to get people to meet and even harder to be reflective and try to learntogether. Quality and customer service fall because the system cannot handle long rangeproblems.

The benefits of effective time management

The organisation concentrates on the important things. People work together in an openway and stop wasting each other's time. They examine everything and eliminate uselesswork. They set up helpful systems but review them regularly. People agree on the

necessity of working as a team to avoid wasted effort. They tackle long term issues asthey arise. More time is spent thinking, less on reacting.

As a result, there is less stress and more effectiveness. The emphasis is on doing theright work appropriately.

The effects of organisational culture on time management

The culture of an organisation is an extremely powerful determinant of people'sbehaviour. We all respond to what others expect of us and then get accepted and feelgood. Unfortunately, organisations rarely plan their cultures to fit their needs. Culturesalways lag behind. This is particularly true in periods of rapid change such as the present.


24/31

You can imagine the culture to be a message played into the ears of the organisation'smembers all the time by some invisible tape recorder.

Some typical ones are:-"Do everything well", "Don't take risks", "Don't rock the boat", "Doit yourself", "The customers time is always more important than anything else", "Thesystem says.... and you must follow it", "Always do what the boss says without question",

"Client contact is what it is all about" "We have all the time in the world, no need to rush"and "Only money making work is important".

Although these injunctions make sense part of the time and have, indeed, beenassociated with the organisations' success, they are rigid. There will be circumstanceswhen they are not helpful guides and lead to much wasted time and effort. Organisationsneed a flexible culture where people are aware of what they should do and respondappropriately.

The effects of personal preferences and habits

Managing time is about managing priorities. This is best done thoughtfully. If not, people

often do the things they find satisfying, or which get them recognition, or are quick andeasy. They particularly will do these things that are culturally 'correct'. None of theseunconscious priority setting systems are necessarily rational and beneficial to theindividual, group or organisation.

These habits become frozen over time if you do not discuss how work is done. Suchdiscussions can be very helpful indeed in a team. They help the team develop and passon effective practices. Discussion is a potent way to change attitudes.

Ten effective time management habits follow:

When people bring problems use counselling skills and say "What do you think

you should do?" Ask for what is wanted and time/effort to be expended when being given a task

Give tasks with clear objectives and quality standards

Ask people for a short time limited contribution at meetings while others just

listen.

Set time limits on casual meetings.

Control time spent on the phone. Stop when you achieve your objective.

Have a thought-out personal priority system.

Find out the value of your output in your customers eyes, then focus your effort on

the most valuable work.

Give feedback to your suppliers so they provide what you want in the form you

want it.

Always ask yourself "What is the best use of my time right now?". Act on the

answer.

What does your organisation score out of ten?

No organisation is perfect but improvement is always possible if you discuss the way youuse time in the organisation. Then it is a matter of taking, and holding to, individualdecisions.


25/31

Time management techniques.

Improved techniques can be valuable but as part of a general process of culture changeand individual decision. People usually know what they need to do to be effective time(self) managers it is more difficult to do it.

Some basic techniques can be helpful.

Write down clear short term and long term goals. Work out your priority system and change it if required

Make a daily "To Do" list and set priorities on items

Precede any report with a brief summary, a statement of objectives and

recommendations.

Summarise regularly on the phone to keep calls short.

Discuss how long jobs or meetings will require.

Learn how to chair a meeting effectively.

Introduction:

What is Time Management?

Do you find yourself rushing through your morning, stampeding to the door, making your way through

traffic only to arrive 10 minutes late for work because you had to wait for the train?

How does the rest of your day go?

Once you get yourself into work do you need to take a few moments tocompose yourself? Perhaps you get a coffee and relax by chatting with aco-worker on your way to your desk. When you sit down you see fiveitems that need immediate attention (some left over from yesterday) andthe phone starts ringing.

You forgot the morning meeting! So you start rifling through yourpapers.

Is this sounding all too familiar by now?

Regardless of whether you work at home, an office or a factory or if youwork for a boss or yourself, getting a grip on time seems like a dailystruggle for millions of people.


26/31

Are You Overbooked?

Its true that many of us have heaped our daily schedule full of activities.Despite cell phones, internet and microwaves it seems we never haveenough time to take care of business, ourselves, our friends and family.

So many of the activities we do everyday are demanding our attentionthat it can be difficult to make plans for the future. Even if the plans willease our burdens down the road. We are busy but are we productive withour time? This is where time management has become important.

What Will Time Management Do For Me?

Time management isnt a physics course, but it is worth making the effortto review and apply in your busy life. Why?

Because time management isnt just about having time its aboutmaking certain our time is well spent. There will always be times in ourlife when we get extra busy (back to school, taxes, holidays, importantprojects) but learning the skills to manage the time we have wisely willalleviate much of the stress and frustration that can lead to burn out andfatigue.

Working Smarter Not Harder

Your time is a valuable resource both to your employer, business andfamily.

When we treat every task we do as a priority it is easy to slip into badhabits that eat into our time but do not give us enough benefits. We runaround putting out fires and face every days activities as emergencies.Nothing is planned and we never have time to get things done properly.

Identifying these areas and restructuring your routine and mindsetenables you to optimize your time so you produce the most results withthe least effort.

How does this work?

By identifying daily routines and your own body rhythms you can try toplan the most energy consuming activities during your most productivetimes of the day and use your less productive times for activities that donot require the same amount of concentration or effort.


27/31


28/31

have the confidence to give your answers (even if its no) withoutquestioning your judgment.

If you do say no to a task you will be able to furnish an explanation as towhy you are making that decision if need be. Or in the case of an

employer or manager you can explain your situation and allow them todecide which task uses your time to the most profitable ends. You mayfind that they were unaware of your current load and are thankful thatyou are concerned about making the best use of your time and talents.

You Will Have a Purpose in What You Do

While time management is a skill that should be used day-to-day, it is alsouseful to help reach your long term goals.

Your goals may be hazy right now, or even obscure, but by incorporatingthem into the why of what you do every day you will be making stridesto accomplish them while enjoying what you do.

Even the drudgery that sometimes comes with life is easier to manage ifyou know why you must do it. Knowing why will make these chores a partof your plan, and thus a choice rather than a burden. Managing your timecan also prevent these areas from becoming dragged out and thusaffecting your usefulness and energy.

Getting Started

The first step to getting your time managed is to find out exactly howmuch your time is worth

STRESS MANAGEMENT

ABD. RAZAK SAID

M.Sc. (HRD UPM)

B.Sc. (WORKFORCE, EDU. & DEV. SIUC USA)

Dip in Stenography (ITM)

WHAT IS STRESS?

Stress is an adaptive response to a situation that we perceive as challenging or

threatening.


29/31


30/31


31/31

Documents

Managing Yourself for Study