Don’t Get Caught in the Mouse Trap:Time Management Techniques for Research Administrators

TONYA PINKERTON, TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY

SHELLY BERRY-HEBB, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

Topics We’ll Cover Today

SMART goals

Project, Plan, Task

Time Wasters

Procrastinator Tips

Goals

Goals should be set for each day, week, month, and year

Goals may require maintenance

Goals should keep you motivated and be supported by your supervisor

SMART Goals

Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Timely

Project, Plan, or Task

Project – large or major undertaking, especially involving considerable resources.

Plan – a scheme developed in advance.

Task – a definite piece of work; a duty.

Time Wasters

Messy desk, Looking for things, Unprepared for meetings

Tired, Unable to concentrate Too much socializing (face-to-face and social

media) Too much time reading email Lack of delegation Procrastination Too many meetings Crisis management / Fire-fighting

Procrastinator Tips Do the ugliest thing first.

Schedule your day.

Create an individual timeline with personal deliverables.

Do your Project, Plan, Task.

Have an annual plan and keep it readily available for reminder.

Stressors

Going to work when sick

High demands

Job strain

Low control

Work/Family conflict

Take care of yourself Health Checks

Sleep

Exercise

Optimism

Support from peers/supervisors

Find Your Support System

Does your institution have a support system for you?

Do you know people who want to see you succeed?

Create your own support system.

Don’t be intimidated – ASK FOR HELP.

Questions

Closing Thought

Remember that we may think when we are promising to do something that we are showing our support and care of what is happening. And that, in and of itself, pumps up the team… “I’ll do it!”.

The reality is, when we are promising something that we don’t deliver, it is breaking trust and when trust breaks down, stress goes up.