2.05 Utilize critical-thinking skills to determine best options/outcomes

1. 2.05 Utilize critical-thinking skills to determine best options/outcomes Performance Indicator: Use time-management skills

2. Definitions • Time management – systematic, priority-based structuring of time allocation and distribution among competing demands • Stress – mental, physical, or social pressure that puts real or perceived demands on the body, emotions, mind, or spirit • Procrastination – to put off something that needs to be done

3. Definitions cont’d • Free time – time spent away from business, work, or chores. Leisurely moments • Weekly master list – a list of all important items that need to be achieved within a given week • To do list – a list of tasks to be accomplished • ABC Principle - see the link http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/downloads/abc-principle-entrepreneur.pdf

4. Identify characteristics of time • Is very valuable – use it wisely • Is a free resource – given 365 days a year • Is equally distributed – 24 hours in a day

5. List benefits of time management • Effectiveness – time wasting is eliminated; routines = becoming better • Prioritize • Relaxation – setting a schedule allows time for YOU! • www.ehow.com/facts_5022016_benefits-time-management-skills.html • Handling interruptions – if something comes up, you’re better equipped to handle it • Improvement – you’ll zone in on weak areas and improve over time • Organized – you’ll eliminate clutter that can cause confusion

6. Describe ways to manage time • At the heart of time management is an important shift in focus: • Concentrate on results, not on being busy • Many people spend their days in a frenzy of activity, but achieve very little because they are not concentrating on the right things. • The 80:20 Rule • This is neatly summed up in the Pareto Principle, or the '80:20 Rule'. This argues that typically 80% of unfocused effort generates only 20% of results. The remaining 80% of results are achieved with only 20% of the effort. While the ratio is not always 80:20, this broad pattern of a small proportion of activity generating non-scalar returns recurs so frequently as to be the norm in many areas. • By applying the time management tips and skills you can optimize your effort to ensure that you concentrate as much of your time and energy as possible on the high payoff tasks. This ensures that you achieve the greatest benefit possible with the limited amount of time available to you. • http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_00.htm

7. Describe ways to manage time contd. • Just say NO! – don’t take on more than you can manage • Eat that FROG – do the thing you dread the most FIRST • No PHONE ZONE – time away from the phone • Task by Task ACCOMPLISHED – be efficient with your time, make a list of what needs to be done & POST where you’ll see it • Good Night to Breakfast – good sleep, energize in the morning will help keep you FOCUSED • http://theentreprenettegazette.com/2010/06/23/128-ways-to-manage-your-time/

8. Explain the time-management process • Before you start working on a project/assignment/task • Make sure you understand what you’re to do • Discuss the assignment, etc. to make sure all parties are clear • List all tasks that must be done • Prioritize the tasks • Delegate responsibilities (if applicable) • Plan what needs to be finished and when

9. Use time-management principles • Realize time management is a myth – only 24 hours in a day. You can only manage yourself • Find out where you’re wasting time – what are your time-wasters? Facebook, videogames, phone • Create time management goals – focus is on changing behaviors, not time • Implement a time management plan – track progress

10. Time management principles cont’d. • Use time management tools – Day Planner, Microsoft Outlook, etc. • Prioritize ruthlessly – what really needs to get done? • Learn to delegate and/or outsource • Establish routines and stick to them • Set time limits for tasks • Be sure your systems are organized – your files • Don’t waste time waiting – always have something to do

11. Performance Indicator: demonstrate appropriate creativity

12. What is creativity? • The act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality • Requires passion and commitment • Two processes: • Thinking, then • Producing

13. Personal traits associated with creativity • Physical energy – work long hours with great concentration • Smart yet naïve – how smart is open to question. Psychologist call this the “g factor” or general intelligence • Combing playfulness and discipline • Alternate between imagination and fantasy • Tend to be both extroverted and introverted – can roll with the crowd or watch them go by

14. Personal traits cont’d • Humble and proud at the same time • Rebellious and conservative • Passionate about their work • Openness and sensitivity often expose to suffering and pain yet also a great deal of enjoyment • http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199607/the-creative-personality

15. Ways in which people can demonstrate creativity • Write with pen/paper – keep a journal • Write songs to your pets • Dance around the house • Make a collage • Make a list of things you love • Eat with your hand • Be quiet • Visit a gallery • Stop watching television • http://christinekane.com/blog/21-ways-to-be-more-creative/

16. Specific techniques for developing/enhancing creativity Implement the 3 Cs Common techniques Consider – envision how an idea might work, don’t analyze Compliment – having considered, compliment. Make people feel good, it’s motivating. Challenge – the final step, challenge the suggester to improve his/her idea & make it better http://www.innovationtools.com/Articles/ArticleDetails.asp?a=313 • Brainstorming • Learning • Questioning • Journaling • Participating in new activities • Taking a different point of view

17. How creativity can be applied beneficially to solve problems • Creative problem solving focuses using imagination and innovation. The goal is to redefine your challenges and develop creative ideas to solve the problem you’re facing. • In practice, creative problem solving techniques are designed to shift a person’s mental state into one that fosters creativity in order to develop new ideas. This approach is based on the belief that a larger number of ideas increase the chances that one of them has value, and that many times, coming at a problem from a new angle can result in a different but more effective solution. • http://www.sitepoint.com/creative-problem-solving/

18. Apply creativity to situations • Techniques to try • Brainstorming and Mind Mapping: write down all possible/impossible solutions • Random ideas: choose a random object in your environment and attempt to relate it to the problem • Provocation: thought is by making unrealistic statements you’ll discover new approaches • Lateral thinking: facing problems with less obvious solutions – coming at it from the side if you will

19. Assignments • Keep a log of school, work, leisure activities for one week. Evaluate to determine how you thought you spend your time versus how you actually wanted to spend your time. Identify two time management goals • Give students a piece of poster board. Ask them to identify a current problem/obstacle. Allow students to PAINT their way to a solution and be prepared to share as their comfort allows. • Visit www.deca.org for role plays, have students solve customer/employee problems. • Warm up – describe something you’ve seen or heard that is particularly creative. Describe how creative you are in your own life. What would you do to increase your creativity?