Monday, September 7, 2009

Habit #3 Put First Things First

Most of you identified this habit as your biggest challenge.  Sean even states in the book that of all the people surveyed, this is the most difficult habit to truly develop.

Fortunately, you all have agendas/planners to help you prioritize your time.  How are you using your agenda?  Are you using it to establish your "big rocks" for the week?  The month?  The year?

Take a look at your weekly calendar you completed recently.  What is your biggest time-waster?  How are you prioritizing your time to eliminate this time-wasting activity?

Please comment on all of the above listed questions.  Your post is due Thursday, September 10th at 4:00p.m.

37 comments:

  1. Yes, in my Notes/to do Section of my binder I have my Big Rocks, pebbles evaluated and keep adding every day. They are for every week.
    My biggest time waster would be watching T.V in the night or day dreaming. I am trying to cut those in half or substitute it for reading or something else that can help me and be more productive.

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  2. I’m using my agenda to keep track of my homework and by making sure that I get it done. Before I go to school I also check to make sure I’m taking everything I need to school. My biggest time waster is TV. I watch television way to much. What I’ve been doing to stop this bad habit is instead of being clued to the television I’ve been reading more books or going outside to play. Like this I can stop wasting my time and use my time well.

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  3. I would say my biggest time waster would be doing nothing and just daydreaming. Sometimes I forget what I'm doing and just drop everything and daydream about any thing like my future and what it would be like when I’m all grown up. What I’m doing to eliminate this time wasting activity is trying to keep myself busy like reading or helping out at home and cleaning my room. How I’m using my agenda is by writing done all my assignments and due dates for important projects. I’m only using my agenda to list my big rocks for the week I don’t really think about what I want to accomplish in a month or year, but if it's something I have to do then I’ll start on that.

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  4. I actually have two agenda's. Our AVID agenda of course and just a plain old calendar that I have right next to my bed. I use the calendar to mark important events and sometimes I even add little notes next to the event. I make sure that when I add an important event, I add it to both the calendar and my agenda.
    The first thing I do whenever I find out about something important or something semi-important I write it down in my agenda and calendar. I mark all sorts of events in my planners. I write little things like, “You have to vacuum today,” and big things like, “Big test next week, STUDY!”
    My biggest time waster is that I always go on the computer after school and stay on for at least an hour. I don’t do my homework until after I finish using the computer.
    This is a bad habit I’m trying to break. Instead of going on the computer before I start my homework, I go on the computer after I finish my homework. Unless of course I need the computer to do my homework.

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  5. I'm using my agenda to record my homework and other important information. I am also using it to establish my goals too.
    My biggest time waster is game-playing. I plan on organizing when I play games and when I do my homework. Like homework-3:00-4:30, games-6:00-6:30

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  6. I am using my agenda by writing down my goals for the week and homework for each day. I am using my agenda to establish my “Big Rocks” for the week, month, and even year. I plan out everything, check it off as soon as I have accomplished it, and start all over again.
    My biggest time waster I have to say is spending too much time at the park. When ever I do this, I leave everything for the night like homework, projects, etc, and then I struggle with it to get it done. I am prioritizing my time to eliminate this time wasting activity by going straight home after school, doing my homework, chores, etc, and finishing it in time. This eliminates all that time that I can be wasting, and it serves me good.

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  7. In my agenda, I write down my “big rocks” but also my pebbles. I write them down in the beginning of the week and keep on adding them during the week. By the end of the week, I look back at my “big rocks” and see if I accomplished them and then figure out why I did or didn’t reach them. My biggest time waster would be doing nothing at all. I do this a lot at home and is one of the things that takes up most of my time. I’m going to try to completely use up that time by doing something proactive that is actually helping me and others. I will try to help more frequently around the house and my neighborhood as much as I can to use up that misused time.

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  8. Yes, I use my agenda to write down all of the big rocks that I have weekly. In the “notes” section of my agenda, I write down the big rocks and the pebbles also. I usually refer to this list daily, to see what I have to accomplish or to start to work on, so that I could get it done and not procrastinate.My biggest time waster that I have, would be when I am on the computer just surfing the internet without an idea of what to actually search. I’m trying to replace this bad time waster by something that will help me to become a much more productive person. I might start to read a book, or get started on a project ahead of time, instead of wasting my time on the computer.

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  9. Yes, I use my agenda to prioritize and get my things done. I put my “Big Rocks” in my to-do section and I add something everyday.

    My biggest time waster is watching television when I should substitute it with exercising and now I do I try go to go to the park almost everyday. Or sometimes substitute it with something to help me be more proactive.

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  10. I am using my agenda very wisely. I write my homework in it, goals, notes, plans, and all of that. It helps me stay organized and helps me be prepared. A big time waster for me is the computer; I will constantly be on it, also TV. This is not a very good use of my time. I should be doing other things that will help me more in life. Instead of wasting time on these things I could do much more productive things!

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  11. I am using my agenda wisely by recording all my assignments and the big events that are happening. I am even recording all of my small events.
    My biggest time waster is watching TV. I am trying to prioritize my time by I doing more yard work and helping around the house more.

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  12. Actually, my agenda is a big help. I do plan out my weeks, as for months I only have important days planned. And as for years, I don’t really plan out the WHOLE year. I add onto my agenda on a daily basis to keep track of how I’m spending my time.

    I would have to say my biggest time-waster would have to be during my free time. I usually rest or do something fun for me. I know it’s not the best way of using my time, so I’m trying my best to read a book or study during this time.

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  13. I am using my agenda to establish my "big rocks" as in my goals for the week, and i'm trying to accomplish those goals in my agenda each week. My biggest time-waster would have to be watching T.V. I will spend less time watching T.V and I will read instead or do something more proactive.

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  14. I am using my agenda in many helpful ways. I use it to get tips or to keep track of homework and other school related things. I am using the agenda for my big rocks, they are for every week. My biggest time waster in my weekly activities is probably either TV or video games, I sometimes play too long. I will put homework and other school related things first to eliminate this time wasting activity.

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  15. Yes, I use my agenda and I write things done sometimes. Some of the things I put is study for the test if we have one, finish reading the book, or do project.
    One of my biggest time waster is being online or anything that is technology.

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  16. Yes, in my notes/to do section of my binder I have my big rocks. I keep adding every day, and check them over every week.
    My biggest time waster would be playing videogames. I am trying to cut off that in half, and replace that by reading more or going on Carnegie Learning. Reducing my time being wasted will help me be more proactive.

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  17. Well, I am using my agenda very well. I try to do all of my "big rocks" first because they take up the most time. I love using my agenda to put al my to-do things so I won't forget them. In my weekly time calendar soccer takes up most of my time but I don't consider it a waste of time. The waste of time is probably day dreaming. I am doing everything I can to stop that. And as you stated in the post Mrs. Veltman it is the most difficult habit to develope.

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  18. Of course, last year I got the habit in writing my goals weekly in my agenda. After reading this chapter I noticed that some of my goals were pebbles and some were rocks.
    My biggest time waster is just walking around saying I'm bored.

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  19. Yes, I am using my agenda to plan my goals for this week and the weeks ahead.
    My biggest time waster is playing games. I plan on cutting down on my game-playing by replacing the time that I play games with time for reading and other productive activities.

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  20. Yes, I am using my agenda. I use it to write down assignments projects and important dates. I make sure to make my “big rocks” stand out to me so I don’t forget them I usually draw arrows and things around them. At the beginning of every week I write down my goal for the week in the “to do” section of my agenda.

    I believe that my biggest time waster would be using the computer. I go on as a daily basis. Many times I find myself just staring at the computer screen! I am trying to cut down my computer time by making sure I do what I have to do before using the computer and limiting my self to the time I spend on it. I’m usually on the computer from the time I get back from school until sometimes 10 at night! I’m going to limit myself to only 3 hours of using the computer to start me off but over time keep cutting it down.

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  21. Yes, I am using my agenda to record what I have to get done every week; I also try to set new goals for myself every week. I keep record of my “big rocks” section and add one every week or so. I would say my biggest time waster would be spending too much time on the computer every day I spend at least 4 hours but I’m working on that and trying to spend my time more effectively to first get all my work done on time.

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  22. Sean is right. I always put first things last and I need to start changing that habit. I always tell myself what I’m going to do first but end up doing what I’m not suppose to be doing at that moment first. I use my agenda everyday and it helps a lot. I use it for my homework, important dates, and goals. I write a goal down every week. I also write down big rocks on my agenda or some were else like a notebook I use frequently so I can see and remind myself what I need to accomplish for the week.
    I do have a time waster and it’s using the computer. I try to avoid doing that to often and concentrate on doing something else like homework, exercise, and helping out around the house or neighborhood. I’ve tried doing this, this past week and I like how it’s all working out because I get more things accomplished. From now on I’ll try to do first things first instead of putting first things last.

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  23. I would have to say that my biggest time waster would be daydreaming. It comes to a point that sometimes I don’t even realize that I’m actually daydreaming. Daydreaming is a big obstacle for me because I waste my time doing nothing and just thinking what my life would be like in certain occasions or events. I have realized I daydream to much that now what I’m doing to prevent me from doing it is that I help more around the house, read a book, or go outside to exercise. By doing this I am more proactive instead of reactive which a good thing. The way I’m using my agenda is by writing all the important events that are ahead on my agenda so I remember. Some of the things I write on my agenda are for both in school and out of school. I do this because I review what I have to do everyday and it really helps me to get ready for like when a project is due or when I have to do something at home. I also use my agenda to keep track of the homework assignments I have and to make sure I have completed them on time.

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  24. I think I can relate to Jetzy about spending too much time on the computer there was a time period when everyday right after school the first thing I would do was turn on the computer and stay on it until late at night it got to the point when I didn’t even know what was going on around me . I didn’t spend time with my family it was like I wasn’t there anymore. Then over time I did succeed in spending a little less time but I still need to cut it down like I said every day I spend at least 4 hours on the computer and I’m working on that.

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  25. I agree with you Rachel my big time waster is also using the computer and watching television. Doing these things isn't a very good use of time. Instead of doing these things you should read or do something else more proactive.

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  26. Deanna, I agree with you checking off our homework, is a BIG help. If we check our agendas every morning we’re most likely not to forget anything we need for the day. The agenda also helps us keep track of our goals, notes and plans just like Rachel wrote.

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  27. Diego V, you should cut the game-playing because that’s not being proactive and you should go outside a little more often or you should read when you are bored.

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  28. I do the same thing as you Abby. I use my agenda frequently and it's a big help. I don't plan the whole year either but I do plan things for the week. I also use it for my goals and important dates. I'm already use to using my agenda. When I don't use it, I feel weird,like somethings missing.

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  29. I agree with Ana because I also daydream at times. Most of the time I usually catch myself in the process.

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  30. I agree with Oscar. I agree that he should use his time more wisely doing something else instead of just surfing the web. The good thing about Oscar is that he writes all of his priorities in his agenda.

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  31. I agree with you Abby, it’s easy planning goals for days and weeks, but it’s not that easy planning goals for a whole year. So first things first. Spending your free time reading is such a good idea because it’s not a time wasting thing and it can be fun.

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  32. Oscar,
    I like the fact that you refer to your Big Rocks daily. That shows that you are on task, and are ready to accomplish what needs to be done. I agree with you on this. I also like the fact that you are going to replace your time wasted on the computer for either reading a book, or getting started on a project that is due. This is something that I would also do, instead of using the computer wasting my time.

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  33. I need to prioritize my time better. I have many time wasters and that’s not a good thing. A lot of the times I either sit down or lie down and do nothing. That is a HUGE time waster. I also do the opposite of habit #3. Instead of putting my more important things first, I save them for last. I have to get used to getting home and right away starting on my homework.

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  34. I feel that I am able to prioritize my time efficiently. I am able to start and complete the work given to me by priorotizing. But I sometimes procrastinate during my big rocks because they are so long and I sometimes get stuck, but I am working on that by trying to stay focused on my work and limit the distractions.

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  35. This is the hardest habit for me, because I have a very bad habit of procrastinating and piling up my rocks. I want to start organizing my time better by using my agenda.

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  36. Like Diego G. I also need to prioritize my time better because I have a habit to sometimes just sit down and thing about what went on through out the day which wastes about two hours belive it or not. Also habit number 3 is a thing that I do alot but will hopefully well acctually I am going to get rid of it.

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  37. Opps!I meant Diego P..

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