Learning to plan well has become an amazing tool for helping me to manage my time. Everything from lesson plans to meal plans, to my many to-do lists, to scheduling which nights I will complete each assignment...I've had a much easier time managing my load and my stress level. I absolutely hate to be in Quadrant 1 type situations (times of crisis). Being late, turning things in late, and feeling like I am dropping the ball in any facet of my life causes me great stress and anxiety. Quadrant 4 scenarios are my second least favorite. The idea of wasting time also causes me stress and has become my biggest pet peeve! I can't even think about watching tv, checking my facebook, or spending 30 minutes chatting with a co-worker in the teachers' lounge when I have so much to get done! My goal is to remain in Quadrant 2 so that I can feel accomplished and under control - although I think Quadrant 3 is an area that is sometimes just unavoidable. We all have family, friends, lives and obligations to attend to.
This week's habit has been a great reminder that I am in charge of my life and the choices that I make. I need to keep my goals on the forefront of my mind and prioritize my time to ensure that I accomplish those goals.