Module 11 prioritizing your time. Successful attention management demands that you learn to prioritize your time. Establishing priorities shows you where to focus your energy. priority should be used to create goals and schedule your time. There are different tools available that will help you prioritize your time. The 8020 rule, the 8020 rule states that 80% of our success comes from only 20% of our actions.

This means that it is necessary to focus on the 20% of our actions that are the most effective. Prioritize goals and focus on the 20% of activities that actively move you towards those goals. Give most of your attention to this 20% the urgent important matrix, we are often trapped performing urgent tasks that are not important. The distracted zone is an example of tasks that are urgent but not important. They may be important to the people around you but they do nothing to help help you meet your own goals. important tasks should take priority because they are focused on specific goals.

The proactive zone is an example of important activities. The urgent important matrix continued urgent and important. activities in this areas relate to dealing with critical issues as they arise and meeting significant commitments perform these duties now. Important but not urgent. These success oriented tasks are critical to achieving goals plan to do these tasks next, urgent but not important. These chores do not move you forward toward your own goals managed by delaying them cutting them short and rejecting requests from others.

Postpone these chores. not urgent and not important. These trivial interruptions are just a distraction and should be avoided if possible. However, be careful not to miss label things like time with family and recreational activities as not important. Avoid these distractions all together. being assertive at times requests from others may be important and need immediate attention.

Often However, these requests conflict with our values and take time away from working towards your goals. Even if it is something we would like to do, but simply don't have the time for it can be very difficult to say no. One approach in dealing with these types of interruptions is to use a positive note which comes in several forms. Say no followed by an honest explanation such as I am uncomfortable doing that because I say no and then briefly clarify your reasoning without making excuses. This helps the listener to better understand your position. Example I can't right now because I have another project that is due by 5pm today, saying no and then give an alternative example I don't have time today, but I could schedule it in for tomorrow morning.

Empathetically repeat the request in your own words and then say no example. I understand that you need to have This paperwork filed immediately but I will not be able to file it for you. Say Yes Give your reasoning for not doing it and provide an alternative solution. Example. Yes, I would love to help you by filing this paperwork, but I do not have time until tomorrow morning. Provide an assertive refusal and repeat it no matter what the person says.

This approach may be most appropriate with aggressive or manipulative people and can be an effective strategy to control your emotions. For example, I understand how you feel but I will not work cannot remember to stay focused and not become sidetracked into responding to other issues. Creating a productivity journal. Keeping track of how you spend your time and how productive you are bill allow you to evaluate your priorities. A productivity journal is a useful tool that shows you where you spend your time and how effectively you are using it. A productivity journal is similar to a time log and a spreadsheet can be used to create one journal needs to include three things, activities, time spent on each activity, progress or outcome of the activity.