By Marilin Antoncouri – Original Work

Time management is needed as a social work intern not only because multiple things are hanging over us as students, but our personal lives simultaneously also demand our efforts and dedication. Our brains are indeed capable of great things, but why not use the assistance given to us through our smartphones. As an iPhone user, I have quite a few apps and many other data held on my device, and downloading another app is not an ideal thing to do. Especially apps that want their users to set up accounts and profiles. The iPhone has a pre-installed app called reminders.

Reminders work similarly to a to-do list one would create using pen and paper or on a white/bulletin board. Reminders allow you to create different sets of lists. For instance, you can have a list for groceries, assignment deadlines, work tasks, clients to follow up on, etc. The reminder app allows me to be altered at any time and day. Also, the location-altering feature helps keep me on track when I arrive at critical locations. If I arrive at work, I will be altered of any tasks I set to do for the day at that particular location. At the end of the work/school day, I take a moment to sit down and add tasks to each of my lists.

I set reminders for the ones that needed to be completed on a particular day, and every time I open the screen of my phone, I see the reminder there until it is checked as completed. Reminders is a helpful app to keep everything organized, and it is quite simple to use since it is already installed on my phone. Reminders also allow me to color code my to-do list, the pop of color helps the organization go even further, and I can be a tad bit creative by choosing colors that I like. The picture below displays how a to-do list can be arranged on an iPhone.

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By Gabriela Arteaga

Time Management Activity: I manage my time by planning my days using a planner, where I write what I need to get done throughout the day and arrange them by time and priority.

A planner can be bought online or in local stationery stores.

By Milana Davydova – Original Work

ARE TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS IMPORTANT FOR SOCIAL WORKERS?

Time management skills are critical for college students and social workers like me. I use many different time management skills as a college student and as a future professional as a social worker. Time management skills are used to prioritize various work tasks, and it is necessary to have these skills to adhere to important deadlines. Therefore, important assignments that have deadlines coming up soon should be taken first.

I use many different strategies that are beneficial to me as I try to manage my time and time management skills to complete my assignments on time. Personally, writing an agenda helps me to be able to stay on track with everything that needs to get done. Many people use sticky notes or a piece of paper to write a to-do list. I also use sticky notes and pieces of paper to write a to-do list of all the things that need to get done, and then I write the deadlines of when the assignments are due. A To-do list is a constructive way to manage my time and priorities. Also, using a checklist is another way of staying organized, and it can be helpful to check off what is completed as the tasks are finished. Staying organized is a crucial aspect of time management, and it enables me to accomplish my work more effectively. If a social worker is organized, he or she can be able to find resources for a client much quicker and much more manageable. For example, the social worker may have a folder with many different organizations that provide various services and assistance to support those victims of domestic violence for a client who has an abusive romantic partner. This way, the social worker can provide information to the client regarding those services.

Time management skills are essential for social workers because they can help reduce anxiety and help lower stress levels for overwhelming social workers. Therefore, this can help the social worker to be able to focus and to be able to manage their caseloads more efficiently without getting burned out. Social workers need to have good time management skills and know-how to use practical time management skills when working/interacting with clients from diverse populations. If social workers are not organized and cannot manage their time, they will be overwhelmed and stressed out more quickly. In addition, they will not helpfully help their clients. To avoid this from happening, social workers should find various strategies to help them improve their time management skills so that it can help them to manage their time and to be able to work with clients more productively.

Doing the weekly day planner has indeed been beneficial to me because it has helped me manage my schedule in a more balanced way. After all, I can see how much time I spend doing homework, grocery shopping, cooking, watching television, and other activities. Therefore, making a weekly planner helps manage my stress more effectively, and it helps me balance the home, work, school, and personal life. Making an agenda or a weekly planner helps me complete everything that needs to get done, whether for school, home, or work.

Task Time

By Vivian Breland-DeShields

Time management is an essential skill to the effectiveness of a social work student and/or practicing social worker. With the enormous amount of assignments, projects, group work, paperwork, client interaction, coordinating treatment, training, researching, advocating, and not to mention personal responsibilities, it is critical for success to implement a plan to help balance the various responsibilities to reduce stress. Thinking about the many tasks that must be completed can cause panic. I have found it helpful to create a daily to-do list that prioritizes tasks. Using a to-do list allows individuals to view their tasks in an organized manner. It made what may have been viewed as an impossible feat into an achievable goal.

CREATING TO-DO-LISTS/PRIORITIZING:

Keeping a To-Do List helps you get organized, which is essential to balancing the BSW and MSW program demands and minimizing stress. When creating a To-Do List, make sure to capture all of the tasks you have to complete.

Another important aspect of keeping a To-Do list is prioritizing your work. By prioritizing work, you plan the order in which you’ll do things to tell what needs your immediate attention and what you can quietly forget about until much later. Keep in mind that a To-Do list varies from person to person. A To-Do list can be daily or weekly; choose one that best suits you.

PREPARING A TO-DO-LIST IS A THREE-STEP PROCESS from the University of Buffalo School of Social Work webpage

https://socialwork.buffalo.edu/content/dam/socialwork/home/self-care-kit/exercises/time-management.pdf

1. Start by writing down the tasks that face you, and if they are large, break them down into smaller pieces.

2. Review jobs and allocate priorities from A (very important) to F (unimportant). If too many tasks have a high priority, rerun through the list and downgrade the less important ones.

3. Rewrite the list in priority order. Now you will be able to tackle these in order of importance. This allows you to separate important jobs from the many time-consuming unimportant ones.

By Linda Dupuis

Information and link below are retrieved from the Matrix website:

http://www.mytimemanagement.com/time-management-in-the-workplace.html

It’s true what they say “there is never enough time in the day.” We are always on the run, so making the most of your day is imperative, but how? I came across this site referring to a Matrix; what it offers is a better way of thinking regarding the value of time. Every minute of every day, we exercise choice about how we spend our time. The writer of the sight states the time management matrix” is a litmus test for how time and the value of our output interconnect,”  “sometimes we look back on our day with great satisfaction; sometimes with the frustration that we have been busy all day and nothing has shifted.”

The time management matrix following example differentiates between Urgency and Importance. Looking at the matrix diagram below, you will see that Urgency is the X-axis value. Another way of looking at this is to measure time from Now on the left to Long Term on the right. Importance or value is measured vertically on the Y-axis. The great news is that all of our time use can be evaluated across this matrix, giving us an audit as to the value of how we are spending our time. 

The time management matrix - a litmus test of how you use your time

The quadrants depict 4 scenarios:

Quadrant 1: Urgent and Important – where crises occur – time spent here is a must. No choice!

Quadrant 2: Important and Not Urgent – where long term value is hatched and fostered

Quadrant 3: Urgent and Unimportant – where the niggly frustrating stuff happens

Quadrant 4: Neither Urgent nor Important - where people are switched off or disengaged

How to use the time management matrix to increase time in Q2

Use the Eisenhower Time Management Matrix template to keep yourself honest and on track with your high priorities. Here are a few tips:

1. Map your life activities in the 4 quadrants. Check-in hourly, daily, and weekly to monitor how you are spending your time. 

2. Get clear about what are your quadrant 2 activities.

3. Protect your two or three most essential activities in advance so that the vital few are not crowded out by the trivial many.

Use the time management matrix to reduce time in Q3

If you feel that you are working hard but don’t have much to show for it, then here are some tips to reduce your time in Q3:

1. Protect yourself from the temptations and frustrations of Quadrant 3 by keeping a task list and batching the small stuff in set sessions of your day - for example, you can make all your phone calls in a set session. Batching up small actions keeps you on task and can stop you bouncing from one kind of activity to another.

2. Schedule set times with finite boundaries for email and other incoming communications, manage your interactions with colleagues, make and take calls.

3. Think of all the stuff that gets in the way of your concentration and question (1) Is this worth doing at all? And (2) Can I corral this activity into a set block of time that suits me and where I am not wasting my most valuable time of the day?

Melissa Marshall Roper

I found these sets of time management tips very helpful as it focuses on issues that are very common in social work. Even though it is specific to the job, I see where improved efficiency will balance work life and personal life, which is very important. The link and information below is from CommunityCare.co website

https://www.communitycare.co.uk/2014/01/10/time-management-tips-social-workers-struggling-maintain-control/

TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS:

Social work and time management: is it possible to combine the two? Is it possible to maintain control over our time with so many unexpected interruptions?

Many mornings I drive to work with the motivation and ambition to meet my deadlines, but inevitably something crops up. There’s a staff absence, and extra cases to cover, or too many urgent duty visits required (thereby saturating an already over-stretched team), or something unforeseen has happened on one of my cases.

To help me overcome these difficulties, I use many strategies, which help me maintain some control in a job dominated by dealing with the unexpected.

1. Color code the to-do list. Highlight the list into red, amber, and green priorities. It’s surprising how easy it is to get sidetracked by green activities that aren’t urgent. It’s important to remember that some tasks can wait.

2. Maintain at least one wholly protected day in the week. Protected means no phone calls, no replying to unnecessary emails, no disruptions. Writing up a set of minutes can be done relatively quickly; interruptions can cause the task to last considerably longer. Don’t book any meetings or any visits.

3. Have an agenda for every meeting/phone call/visit. I’m doing an activity for a purpose, and once that purpose has been achieved, it’s time to go. When meeting professionals and families, it’s easy to be de-railed from our purpose. Time is precious; stay focused.

4. As soon as a need is identified, make that referral. Our role is to assess risks and identify appropriate support services. Make the referrals as soon as possible. I’ll admit it. I find it tedious to fill in the family’s details in almost identical forms for different agencies, but these agencies can give the families the support they desperately need. In the long run, these families may overcome their difficulties and no longer require our services, creating additional time. Better still, undertake your visits armed with the knowledge and contact details for the support services in your area and ask the families to make their referrals.

5. Having something to look forward to after work. I find this increases my productivity hugely, whether this is an orange Wednesday or even a nice dinner.

6. Be aware of your personality and how it impacts your attitude to time management. We all have drivers: be perfect, be fast, please people and be strong. It’s important that we’re aware of our style because each style has advantages and disadvantages. The critical thing is that we are flexible, that we can utilize the style appropriate to the circumstances in which we find ourselves. This isn’t rocket science, but by implementing these easy pointers, I go to work motivated, recognizing that unforeseen events will happen, but safe in the knowledge that some elements of my work can be managed in a time-effective manner.

By Solange Medina

Good time management allows you to accomplish more in a shorter period of time, which leads to more free time, which lets you take advantage of learning opportunities, lowers your stress, and helps you focus, which leads to more career success. Being a mom, working full-time, and going to school can be a lot to juggle. The question I am asked most frequently is, “How do you have time to do it all?” and at times, I don’t even know. I am incredibly fortunate to have a supportive husband and mother who helped me tremendously. However, many do not have a great support system and must find a way to do it independently. Being able to take control and manage your time is very important. These 7 steps have helped me during my most dire time. I believe the more organized you are with your time, the more successful you can be.

The picture was retrieved from collegesuccessformoms.WordPress website: https://collegesuccessformoms.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/7-steps-for-effective-time-management-for-moms-in-college-2/

Seedika Meighoo

I find it very helpful to plan out my day; it makes the day go by so much easier and smoother. I like to use a planner and write things down due soon, things I need to get done, and my thoughts. I feel that this technique helps me stay organized, and I also find that I remember deadlines and due dates if I write them down. When I do not write them down, I will completely forget that this project or assignment is due. A planner is a staple in a college student’s life; it is a must-have. We have so many deadlines, assignments, and homework that it is hard to keep track of all of them just by memory. In my opinion, a planner is beneficial to everyone but mainly a college student.

https://evernote.com/download- This is the app I use to organize my assignments, deadlines, to-do lists, and upcoming events.

Luis Quinones – Original Work

Having completed several time management assignments, this writer wanted to be transparent in their expression that time will fail to be something that should be treasured until one can foster a reason why they value it (time). One author stated the following: “Thoughts must be disciplined; otherwise, like water, they tend to flow downhill or stand stagnant” (Whitney, 1991, 2014).

A life-changing quote that may be worthy of mention: “Time is not like a bag of ice in the freezer, out of which you can use a bit when you want and save the rest for later. Instead, time is very much like the sands in an hourglass—what’s left is continuously slipping away” (Whitney, 1991, 2014). Having stated the following imposes a mindful approach of time and the ability to squander it away. In an age of electronic applications whereby people may spend hours playing a game on their phones (i.e., Candy Crush; Solitaire) or surfing websites (i.e., Instagram, Facebook), there is reason be vigilant of how time is spent.

Very much like recording where money is spent and what expenses, when a person is establishing a budget, the tracking of time for the social service worker is an essential task. The required duties like documenting case notes, returning necessary communications with client or collateral contacts, or completing necessary agency responsibilities like client intakes/assessments are necessary for all of these duties. The first responsibility is to acknowledge that unless you discipline yourself, time will sprint like a spoiled gazelle unable to be calmed.

The recommendation is that a chart is made, and the time is tracked for a minimum of fourteen (14) days. This will allow for necessary changes to be conducted should a person find how they may be more efficient with their time. Please see recommended readings on this topic.

References

Brocas, I., Tarraso, J., & Carrillo, J. D. (2018). Self-Awareness of Biases in Time Perception. Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, 1-19.Morgan, R. J. (2017). Reclaiming the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation: Find True Peace In Jesus. Nashville, Tennessee: HarperCollins.Packer, J. (1973). Knowing GOD. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.Saxton, D. W. (2015). GOD’S BATTLE PLAN FOR THE MIND: The Puritan Practice of Biblical Meditation. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books.Whitney, D. S. (1991, 2014). Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life. Colorado Springs, CO: NAVPRESS.

By Felecia Rajendranauth

A time management activity that always helps me as a social work student is creating a to-do list/prioritizing. Since I started school, this was something I always do. It helps me keep organized and helps me meet essential deadlines. This can benefit anyone, whether for school, work, or even daily life. Below is the link that can direct you to the website from which this was chosen from.

http://socialwork.buffalo.edu/content/dam/socialwork/home/self-care-kit/exercises/time-management.pdf

Or see below for some steps that can help you in creating one for yourself:

TIME MANAGEMENT:

As you know or will soon find out with the numerous amounts of papers, group projects, and

Additional assignments, time management skills are critical! Below you will find information:

About creating and prioritized To-Do Lists, Scheduling, Goal Setting, and Ending Procrastination.

CREATING A TO-DO LISTS/PRIORITIZING:

Keeping a To-Do List helps you get organized, which is essential to balancing the demands of

The MSW program and minimizing stress. When creating a To-Do List, make sure to capture all

Of the tasks, you have to complete.

Another important aspect of keeping a To-Do list is prioritizing your work. By prioritizing work,

You plan the order in which you’ll do things, so you can tell what needs you’re immediate

Attention, and what you can quietly forget about until much later. Keep in mind that a To-Do

List varies from person to person. A To-Do list can be daily or weekly; choose one that best suits

You.

Dana Ross

My time management struggles started when I returned to school full-time while working a full-time job. It was challenging to manage my schoolwork with my job responsibilities. I would attend classes at night, so when I got home at the end of my day, I would be tired and exhausted. I didn’t have much time to study, and when I would stay up late trying to review school material, I would end up arriving late to work the next day. I need to adopt a strategy that would allow me to manage my school and work responsibilities and allow me to have time to fulfill my obligations to my household. What I’ve learned and adapted are these 4 principles:

• Know How You Spend Your Time.

• Set Priorities.

• Use a Planning Tool.

• Get Organized.

Knowing how I spent my time made me write a detailed list of my daily responsibilities. Then I arranged my list according to what are high and low priorities. I used my cell phone notes app to keep track of my daily duties for a particular day. Once I arranged the activities that I needed to accomplish, I would add them to my calendar app feature on my phone and set the alarm for the time that I want to start each task. This reminder allowed me to stay on track and focused. What changed for me is learning how to set realistic expectations with my work schedule and duties while devoting time to studying and reviewing materials for my courses. This has helped me to be better prepared for my classes and be more efficient in the field. It has kept me on track with my home responsibilities and more organized in general because it is now a skill that I regularly use whether I have doctor’s appointments or if I need to go food shopping, so it has become a regular part of my lifestyle. It has made me more efficient at accomplishing my goals.

The information listed below was retrieved from the University of Georgia Extension website

https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1042&title=Time%20Management:%2010%20Strategies%20for%20Better%20Time%20Management#title0