Managing one's life

[LotusCarsLtd]

I just finished my last class for today at 6.15. It is a class on Management Information Science, and our professor brought-in a guest speaker to tell us about project management in business settings (and the importance of proper planning for projects).

Midway through the class I sorta freaked-out. I realized that my management skills this semester (heck, probably my entire life) are rather poor. I get decent grades, but I realized that perhaps I could do more than what I am currently doing. I feel that perhaps God expects me to work harder in school than I am currently, but I’m not totally certain.

I tend to delay things until the last minute, or deal with them as the issue arises (paper due in 3 weeks? Start it a week before!). Another good example would be my accounting course: I don’t own the book because I never had the money to buy it. Nonetheless, I still feel that I should have tried harder somehow to find a way of using the book for my studies.

Overall I am not sure what to make of all this. I have a standard, regular way of doing things that works and gets the job done with decent results. But I wonder if it’s wrong for me to not be working harder somehow. The issue is I don’t know if this is a true problem or something I randomly just thought-up.

Your thoughts?

Pax Tecum.

 

[coolduude]

I would say you’re doing ok. Not spectacular, but not below average.

I would try to get a little more organized if I were you. Start slowly, don’t take a big jump in.

I procrastinate (sp.) too, don’t feel that bad. Instead of starting a paper 1 week early, try getting a little done the day and week it is assigned. Just the basic outline, or the simpleist part, whatever it may be.

Also, pray to St. Alysoius Gonzaga. He’s a good person to pray to for school.

Good luck!

 

[IrishAm]

Overall I am not sure what to make of all this. I have a standard, regular way of doing things that works and gets the job done with decent results. But I wonder if it’s wrong for me to not be working harder somehow. The issue is I don’t know if this is a true problem or something I randomly just thought-up.

Ask yourself, and answer honestly . . .

• Is your way of doing things working for you? (Are you getting grades with which you – and your parents – are comfortable, are you learning the material?)
• Are you comfortable with your approach to tasks, or do you get anxious or upset about having put them off?
• Are you making choices of which you are proud?
• Do you have friends and activities outside of class that you can share with your parents? (Translate that – “Are you hanging with druggies and getting drunk every night?” )
• Has a professor or parent ever chastised you for your work ethic or the quality of your work?

The fact that you could start a project earlier doesn’t mean you necessarily “should” if you regularly get your assignments finished in an acceptable manner; if you know the assignment is going to take three days and you have ten, there’s really no inherent value in starting seven days earlier – even if your roommate will turn a three-day project into the ten or be a basket case if they don’t start immediately and get it completed.

Classes are important when you are a student, just like work is important if you are an employee. But it isn’t – nor should it be – your entire life. Make time for fun, make time for family and friends, make time to do nothing but stare into space. Assuming you are getting the “job” done, too.

 

[puzzleannie]

given the name of this forum I highly recommend as required spiritual reading, Time Management for Catholics by Dave Durand (Sofia Press), which directly addresses OP’s question and gives practical advice that really works.

 

[wcknight]

I’m a project manager and I came up from the ground floor in IT. I was always used to doing things on the fly. It works for small and some medium sized projects but can be a disaster for a large or huge project.

As a previous reply says, do what works for you. Are you satisfied with the results ? Do you feel that you are rushed or not getting all the work done ?

You have to adjust the way you do things based on how well and how comfortable you are performing or how well you want to perform.

IF you know you can do better, then you should put in the time and effort to do so. However you still should balance off your social life with the work that you need to get done. College should be a fun time also. I want my kids to get good grades, but I want their college experience to be a good one also. So far they have all managed to get good grades and enjoy their social life also.