Preparing for

Success : Self
Development and
Responsibility
Lecturer:
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WEEK 2:

Time and Task Management Skills

Module Learning Outcomes
The PSSDR module is designed to provide you with an
opportunity to demonstrate your achievement of the following
module learning outcomes:
1) Demonstrate effective communication skills, applicable to
academic and professional contexts.
2) Work effectively with others in the delivery of a group project
3) Identify own academic and professional development needs
and create an action plan.
4) Demonstrate an awareness of the global context of higher
education and employment.
 Learning Objectives
At the end of lesson learners will be able to:
Define and briefly explain “task management”;
Define and briefly explain “time management”;
Identify task and time management strategies for
successful academic and professional development;
 Develop task and time management schedule.
Task Management
 What is a task?
 It is something that needs to be done – a piece of work that
needs to be undertaken, such as an assignment, shopping,
cooking, etc;
 Task management is the process of managing a task through
different stages: planning, development, and completion.
 It works both on an individual and group levels by getting
people to accomplish given goals or objectives.
 It enables you to differentiate tasks based on priority (level of
urgency).
Priority Matrix
▪ What is the Priority Matrix?
▪ A priority matrix is a powerful time management
tool that can be used to focus on tasks that are
most important and critical to be done first.
▪ The tool is used to separate tasks need to be
done into four main quadrants put under different
areas of importance and urgency.
The Priority Matrix

https://youtu.be/9XL2oRoAii8
Importance of Priority Matrix
 It helps to complete things that need to be done
quickly.
▪ It allows attention to be given to things that are
very important.
▪ It promotes proper time management and
efficiency.
▪ It prevents waste of time on unnecessary things.
Time Management (cont.)
Time management is the process of planning and organizing
how much time you spend on specific tasks, projects or
objectives.

It refers to how you make decisions about how you spend your
time.

It requires that you use a period or slot in the most effective way.

It also means controlling your time and determining priorities.

Time Management (cont.)
 Time is a limited resource, just like other resources, such as
money.
 We all have 24 hours in a day; and 7 days in a week, as shown
below:
 A day = 24 hours
 A week = 168 hours
 A month = 730 hours
 In 2019 = 8760 hours
 The above is a reality that none of us can change.
 The only option is to use the time at our disposal efficiently and
wisely.
 Dimensions of Time Management
Short range planning: it is defined as time management activities
pertaining to daily or weekly time structure and cover the activities
such as setting objectives at the commencement of the day, planning
and prioritizing daily behaviours and creating relevant work contents
(Yilmaz et al., 2006).

Long range planning  refers to having or creating long-term

objectives and applying disciplined routines or approaches.
 Time attitude

Time management requires a key shift in emphasis and mindset.

It requires that we concentrate or pay more attention on results instead of

just being busy.

The time attitude of a student is the behaviour related to paying attention to

time planning and spending more time on planned activities.

Efficient use of time is possible by developing a positive attitude towards

time management.
Time Management (cont.)
▪ Time management is a skill that every student should not only
know, but also apply.

▪ Why is it important?
Discuss this in pairs.
 Why time management

Time management plays a vital role in improving student’s

academic performance.
It is extremely important, especially when it comes to university
students, as it can boost and improve their grades and enhance
their productivity (Laurie & Hellsten, 2002).
Time management practices promote good physical condition and
lower levels of stress.
Efficient use of time both decreases anxiety and increases the
level of effective performance.
 Barriers to time management
Task aversion and uncertainty.
Lack of organizational skills.
Procrastination.
Displaced priorities.  
Irresponsibility. 
Uncertainty of purpose.  
Postponement of important and urgent tasks.
Factors that may impact negatively on your time

 Örücü et al. (2007) identified many factors that affect university students in
spending their time effectively, including:

 Excessive TV watching;
 Excessive radio listening;
 Experiencing sleeping problems;
 Excessive chatting;
 Excessive clubbing; etc.

 ACTIVITY: identify other factors that can impact negatively on students’ time.
Some Negative Effects or Poor Time Management

Several university students complain about having no time for

carrying out some necessary tasks.
They often get frustrated because they fail to meet deadlines.
What are some of the consequences of poor time
management?

ACTIVITY: Discuss in pairs or groups.

Procedure for Time and Task Management

You can make use of time effectively and competently

by:
Keeping time logs,
Setting short-term objectives as well as long-term
goals,
Prioritizing your tasks and responsibilities,
Constructing to-do lists,
Organizing your workspace effectively.
Strategies of Time Management
▪ Know How You Spend Your Time.
▪ Set Priorities. 
▪ Use a Planning Tool.
▪ Get Organized.
▪ Schedule Your Time Appropriately.
Strategies of Time Management
▪ Stop Procrastinating. 
▪ Manage External Time Wasters.
▪ Avoid Multi-tasking.
▪ Use a Planning Tool. 
▪ Stay Healthy.
Time Management tools
▪ Here is the list of the five tools of Time
management.
▪ Calendar.
▪ Task manager or project manager.
▪ Time tracker.
▪ Note‑taking app (with templates).
▪ Habit tracking, distraction prevention tools and
others.
Complete some or all the blocks of the following “Time
and Task Management” schedule for your Portfolio
Weekly Time Management Schedule
Some Tips for Time Management and Self-
Management

▪ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBM2k2zp-M
Q
 Summary
As stated above, time is a limited resource that we must use
sparingly and wisely.
It is vitally important for us all to manage our tasks
effectively.
We need to be cautious about over-committing ourselves
over-scheduling your time, as it can be overwhelming.
It is always advisable to create a “Task List”
The use a dairy or calendar for planning your tasks is also
highly recommended.
References: 
 Nasrullah, S. and Khan, M.S., 2015. The impact of time
management on the students’ academic achievements.

 Örücü, E. ,Tikici, M. ve Kanbur A (2007) An empirical

research on the time management in the enterprises
working in the different sectors]. Elektronik Sosyal
Bilimler Dergisi, ISSN 1304 -0278 c.6 S.20
Thank You!!