MLA 2018 - Got a Minute? Strategies for Time Management and Organizational Skills

I want to share some takeaways from a time management workshop I attended at the 2018 Maryland Library Association conference. The workshop was called “Got a Minute? Strategies for Time Management and Organizational Skills” and was presented by Dr. Marie L. Radford, Professor at Rutgers University.

I am going to focus on Professor Radford’s presentation of the five worst mistakes people make when managing (or not managing well) their time. Marie Radford offered advice on how to correct or avoid these mistakes. People are

1.      Spending time on concerns that are NOT a top priority.

She evoked the Pareto Principle, also called the 80/20 rule, where our amount of work can be divided as roughly 80% trivial, and 20% vital. So, before beginning work, ask yourself what is in your 20%, and what is in your 80%.

2.      Not paying attention to “when?”.

Timing is everything. Know the time of day you are the most productive, and work on what is most important or urgent at that time. Do not check your email during that time.

Also, to fight the distraction that email can be, work on your top priority for 15 to 20 minutes before checking your email.

3.      Saying “YES” too frequently when asked to do an additional task, or to take on another responsibility.

Advice on how to say “NO”:

·         Base your decision on your priorities.

·         Ask for some time to think about it.

·         If your answer is no, say “NO”.

·         You do not have to give a reason.

·         Stick to your decision.

When you cannot say No, you can usually negotiate and ask for what you would need in order to be able to take on an additional task, or to make a tight deadline.

4.      Underestimating time tasks actually take

·         Add 50 % to the amount of time you think it will take to accomplish the task.

·         Beat procrastination by breaking tasks into baby steps with target dates that you actually enter in your calendar. You can also work with a collaborator.

·         Beat perfectionism by asking yourself: “What is ‘least’ I can do at this time?”

5.      Not asking for help, and lack of delegation

·         Ask yourself: “Am I the only person who can do this?”

·         Ask for help, do not demand.

Professor Radford also made suggestions related to paper clutter control, and the insight she offered is more meaningful to me than any method to de-clutter: “Clutter only builds up where you allow it”.

Sylvie Merlier-Rowen

Children's Department, CEN