3 Steps to Better Manage Time

TRIO professionals understand how critical time management is. After all, there is so much to do: high school events, college application deadlines, transportation, family schedules, and so much paperwork (like the APR). 

Are you looking to amp up your time management tools?

One highly effective strategy, from Stephen Covey’s renowned book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," is the "Big Rocks" method. This approach helps prioritize tasks and ensures that the most important activities receive the attention they deserve. Here’s how you can apply this method to manage your weekly schedule effectively.

Step 1: Review Mission and Roles

Begin by reviewing your mission and roles. What are your key responsibilities and objectives this week? As a TRIO professional, your role might include advising students, planning events, and collaborating with team members. Identifying your mission helps to keep your focus aligned with your long-term goals, especially when short term tasks start piling up.

Step 2: Choose Your Big Rocks

Next, determine your "big rocks" for the week. These are the tasks with clear deadlines that must be accomplished. They also include important personal development activities that contribute to long-term success, such as goal setting, relationship building, and exercise. Ask yourself, "What are my needs this week? How can I schedule my hobbies and personal time so that my job doesn’t become overwhelming?"

Step 3: Schedule Around Your Big Rocks

Finally, schedule your week around these big rocks. Block out time for these priorities first, ensuring they are addressed before other less critical tasks. By placing these big rocks in your schedule first, you create a solid foundation that allows you to manage smaller tasks and distractions more effectively.

The Door of Opportunity

Imagine your path to success as a door of opportunity. Responsibilities and distractions can block this door if not managed properly. Focusing on the biggest obstacles first – your big rocks – allows you to clear the path quickly and efficiently.

As Stephen says: “Don’t prioritize your schedule. Schedule your priorities.”

If you have 5 minutes, enjoy this trip back to the 1990s, as Stephen Covey explains the Big Rocks: https://youtu.be/zV3gMTOEWt8