• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

organized do it all people how do you do it?

James_B

James_B

Apr 4, 2006
746
38
37
Windsor,Ont,Canada
#1
I need some time managment advice. I need to learn how to maximize my day to the fullest potential. I figure most of you guys are older dudes with jobs and careers and family and stuff you would have advice for a youngster who's feeling under pressure and has a full plate.


Thanks
James_B
 
#3
hmm. personal organization methods become about as personal as song writing or good instrumentalism. Which is to say, there are principles to time, and project management, but ultimately, it becomes your own creation, because it has to be born of your own priorities, and only you know what they are, and can fine-tune as you go. Try a decent book on organization or project management, but hopefully, it's a shorter book.

Here is an interesting quasi-military explanation. I don't look this stuff up anymore (except in this case), but maybe I should review once in awhile. http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/05/how-to-prioritize/

Here's another option. I think I might have read this book 12 years ago. But for some people, organization comes early in life, and we get good at it naturally through time. others haven't got a clue where to start. regardless of which camp you are in, either camp benefits from even simple training or review. Meditation is something that helps me also. Others are sure to speak up, as I've seen people address this general question before (and enjoyed what they said).

http://www.amazon.com/How-Manage-Ti...0926864?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189560662&sr=8-1

EDIT - and to the concept of "doing it all," even the most ingenious people i've known, personally, became that way partly because they realized and accepted nobody can do it all. it's a misnomer....
 
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
#4
Well then, same situation here actually, I'm finishing a semester of HS, working two jobs, and doing a co-op at school, so technically 3 jobs (working 12-3 for co-op everyday). So I have two classes, both with a bunch of homework and even though I manage my time rather well (so I think) I still get to bed around 12-2am each night.

Trick is, the more you have on your plate, the more you have to remember. Get a daily planner (agenda?) and write down your daily schedule in that, classes, work times, and leave yourself room for other crap that comes up. Any appointments or due dates? write em in so that during the day you only have one thing on your mind at a time, which is the task you are focusing on, and rely on your daily planner to guide you through the day so that you don't overwehlm your head and get so stressed out. Trust me, I speak from experience on this one.

Btw, I'm 18 aswell.
 
#7
1. To do lists with "to be done by" on them

2. Prioritise and do the tasks that need to be done earliest first

3. Put yourself in a position that you won't get distracted when doing the jobs you need to do. If you have, I dunno, an essay to do that'll take you two hours, slot in two hours between other jobs, with no talkbass.com on (I know, I know!), no msn open, mobile/cell off (or at least on silent) and don't move until you have your essay written, spellchecked and printed off

4. Don't feel you have to do everything now. This isn't putting things off till tomorrow what you can do today, but also means that if, of five jobs that are due, three which are due by Saturday and the other two due by the following Tuesday, the Saturday jobs should be prioritised, and not all done at once, which would cut into your current daily "must dos". You'll end up a muddled stressball otherwise!
 
#9
Stay one step ahead. If you find yourself sitting down with say, and hour of free time, think of a job you need to do that will take up say, 30 minutes of it. Utilise your time effectively, and go the extra mile. You'll soon find yourself on top of your game.
 
#11
Joshua said:
2) Write things down. Don't let memory be an excuse. Plus organizing what needs to be done is usually easier with a visual reference.
Click to expand...

Oh so very, very, true! Something about the brain...I have a great memory...sometimes. But if I write something down, I never forget it. Plus, when you write stuff down, it gives you that few seconds of reflection to realize what all it is you have to do...typically, in written form, it looks so much easier than it does when you just think about it...keeping it in your brain makes tasks you have to do later much worse than they are because the mind tends to dwell on it because it knows nothing has been done yet. So...+5.9 on the writing down of stuff. Its almost therapuetic...

Also...turn the cell phone/computer/TV/music OFF! There's going to be a lot of mixed reviews about this but this is science. The brain takes a lot of stuff in at any given moment of the day. Make it easier for yourself by cutting that stuff off so you can completely concentrate. Once you "get into" doing something with absolutely no distractions, the time will pass....

cheers & good luck.
 
#12
First off, determine which parts of the day you are the most productive. Once you determine that, schedule the most important things you need done for that time period. Do a little research on circadian and arcadian cycles in the human body.

Treat your time like money. No one throws away money foolishly. We try to get the most value from our money. Develop the same plan of attack with your time.

-Mike
 
#13
As many have said, a list is crucial. I always have one piece of paper with a typed list. As it gets marked up, crossed out, and changed, I type up a new one. This way you are constantly recording, reviewing, and prioritizing.

I also recommend cutting out as much TV as possible. You'll be amazed how much you can accomplish in the 30 minutes you would burn watching some stupid show.
 
#14
baba said:
I also recommend cutting out as much TV as possible. You'll be amazed how much you can accomplish in the 30 minutes you would burn watching some stupid show.
Click to expand...

True. Good post.

I schedule TV time like anything else in my day. I can not remember the last time I sat down in front of the TV and turned it on to look for something to watch with no plan of how long I would sit there mindlessly flipping around looking for someone to entertain me.

-Mike
 
#15
i am a very busy sound engineer. i also lecture. i play session. i play in four bands regularly.

BUY A DIARY

USE IT

WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN

BE PROFESSIONAL AND STRICT WITH YOURSELF

PRIORITISE

DO NOT SMOKE WEED!!!!! (v important.) ive seen so many people throw their creative/energetic youth up in smoke!!!!!)

this will mean you are very busy and will appreciate your downtime.
you will also have money to spend on your downtime

(a good, like minded understanding, partner is also a great boon. mine sometimes is more like an unpayed P.A at times, completley voluntary)
 
#16
now I'm on break from college, (because of the 3 years army we start late)
but on my semester i sleep 5-6 hours a night and I use a wipe board.
i use a schedule something like :

19:00 play my bass
19:30 work on assignment in Linear algebra

and on 19:30 I turn the amp off sit down and start studying.
not 19:31 or 19:35 ! 19:30 !

I'm ADD so if I won't do it that way I won't do it.
 
#18
I remember vividly a boss sticking his head in my door at 5:30
PM when I was at my first sales job. Here's how that
conversation went:

Why are you still here?

I'm working hard trying to get all my work done.

I pay you to work smart, not work hard.


Since then, working hard has not been part of the program.
Working smart has been the whole program.

Slough off the BS (90% of the issues are BS), get done what
needs to be done and move on.
 
#20
I've always been a do-it-all kind of girl. But sometimes I do get behind or I forget stuff.

The #1 thing is a good planner. I have a thin one that fits easily in my bag. I religiously write everything down the moment I think of it. I used to have a Palm Pilot which was cool but sometimes I’d forget to charge it or sync it up and then I was screwed. Really, a good old fashioned write-in planner is the best!

I schedule everything, right down to grocery shopping and “me” time. Right now I work 40 hours a week at my regular job, play in 2 bands, am head coach of a tumbling team, run my own cheerleading business, do video freelance video editing, volunteer at our local mission and study at my church on the weekends. I fit it all in somehow! It just calls for major scheduling and self-discipline.

A good website is Invalid Link Removed. He answers cool questions and is pretty funny.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back