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Time and Stress Management

Purpose of Course  showclose

Effective time management is the key to getting the most out of your day. It helps you improve performance, increase productivity, and reduce stress. Time management is critical to maximizing your day and surviving mounting responsibilities and pressures. Time is your most important resource. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify your objectives and determine priorities daily. Every action you take represents a priority decision. The problem is rarely that you aren’t capable of completing a task; the problem, most often, is time – eventually you will run out of it. This course will provide learners with several time management tools and techniques that can be applied to most work and life situations. From juggling multiple tasks, to managing e-mail, to beating deadlines: you will learn how to budget time wisely, and overcome distractions and time wasters.

Course Information  showclose

Welcome to PRDV005: Time and Stress Management. General information about this course and its requirements can be found below.

Course Designer: Dionne Mahaffey

Primary Resources: This course is composed of a range of different free, online materials. However, the course makes primary use of the following materials:
Requirements for Completion:In order to complete this course, you will need to follow instructions for each resource. It is our intention that as you progress through these resources, you will gain insight about yourself, your interests, and your abilities as well as how these factors match up with the current needs of employers. You will take several self-assessments throughout the course. At the conclusion of the course, you will be asked to complete a 15-question final exam.

Note that you will only receive an official grade on your final exam. However, in order to adequately prepare for this exam, it is recommended that you take notes on and work through all course materials.

In order to pass this course, you will need to score 70% or higher on the final exam. Your score will be tabulated as soon as the exam is completed. If you do not pass the exam, you may take it again after a 14-day waiting period.

Time Commitment:Completing this course should take you a total of approximately 5.25 hours. Please plan additional time for note taking and exploration of embedded links of interest to you. Each unit includes a time advisory that lists the approximate amount of time you are expected to spend on each subunit. This should help you to determine how to budget your time to complete each of the three units.

Tips/Suggestions: You might wish to compile a folder, either online or a hard copy, that contains the various resources and assessment information gathered while progressing through this course. Once you start applying the lessons learned to your daily work and personal life, retake the assessments to measure whether you have improved your time and stress management skills.

Learning Outcomes  showclose

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
  • discuss the importance of goals, priorities, and planning;
  • learn how to use to-do lists as planning tools;
  • learn how to prioritize daily tasks and responsibilities and reprioritize on a moment’s notice;
  • learn how to identify and overcome time wasters;
  • define procrastination;
  • discuss the importance of delegation; and
  • identify stressors and describe effective coping measures.

Course Requirements  showclose

In order to take this course, you must:

√    have access to a computer;

√    have continuous broadband Internet access;

√    have the ability/permission to install plug-ins or software (e.g. Adobe Reader or Flash);

√    have the ability to download and save files and documents to a computer;

√    have the ability to open Microsoft files and documents (.doc, .ppt, .xls, etc.);

√    have competency in the English language; and

√    have read the Saylor Student Handbook.

Unit Outline show close


Expand All Resources Collapse All Resources
  • Unit 1: The Concept of Time Management  

    While none of us knows what our future holds, some of us take proactive steps to explore possibilities and opportunities open to us. Congratulations! You are beginning an exciting journey toward realizing your goals. In order to use your time productively, you will first need to learn more about yourself, your interests and personality, and how these factors relate to various types of jobs or careers. This unit offers resources to address this self-knowledge. For example, Saylor Foundation’s introductory video, “The Importance of Self-Assessment,” reinforces that the initial step in your journey needs to be self-assessment. Secondly, you will have an opportunity to take Jung’s Typology Test to assess your personality type. Finally, John Holland’s quiz will help you to understand how your personality type is compatible with various work environments. By learning more about yourself, you are ensuring that your job search strategy is appropriate to your interests and strengths. Enjoy your self-exploration!

    Unit 1 Time Advisory   show close
    Unit 1 Learning Outcomes   show close
  • 1.1 Introduction to Time Management  
    • Web Media: YouTube: Randy Pausch’s: “Time Management”

      Link: YouTube: Randy Pausch’s: “Time Management” (YouTube)

      Instructions: Watch this lecture as an introduction to the concept of time management. This video was published in 2007. While some of the references may seem outdated, the concept of time management and technology is still relevant today. For example, Dr. Pausch discusses using post-its and other manual tools that have now been replaced by applications for note taking on laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Pause to take notes as needed.

      Watching this lecture and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

      Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.

      See a broken link? Please let us know!

  • 1.2 Setting Goals and Priorities  
  • 1.3 Time Management Planning Tools  
  • Unit 1 Assessment  
  • Unit 2: Overcoming Procrastination and Learning to Delegate  

    When you are focused on something that does not reflect one of your determined priorities, you are procrastinating. In order to overcome procrastination, you must first be aware that it is happening. Unit 2 will give you the steps to manage and resolve this self-created time waster, which minimizes your productivity and creates stress. Another effective time-prioritizing technique is to identify those tasks in your life that can be delegated to others. Many of us are guilty of trying to do everything on our own. However, there are a number of time-management benefits to you, the person to whom you delegate your tasks, and the organization as a whole, when you learn to properly delegate.

    Unit 2 Time Advisory   show close
    Unit 2 Learning Outcomes   show close
  • 2.1 Overcoming Procrastination  
  • 2.2 Are You a Procrastinator?  
    • Reading: MindTools™: “Are You a Procrastinator?”

      Link: MindTools™: “Are You a Procrastinator?” (HTML)

      Instructions: This article takes a look at how people sabotage their time and productivity by delaying tasks and responsibilities. The associated self-test offers insight into the type of procrastinator you are and provides key points on how to eliminate the stress associated with this characteristic.

      Reading this article and completing the self-test should take approximately 15 minutes.

      Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.

      See a broken link? Please let us know!

  • 2.3 Achieve More through Delegation: Self-assessment  
    • Reading: MindTools™: “How Well Do You Delegate?”

      Link: MindTools™: “How Well Do You Delegate?” (HTML)
       
      Instructions: Please read this article and take the associated self-assessment on your current delegation style and willingness to delegate when appropriate. The answers will show you whether you need to improve.
       
      Reading this article and completing the self-assessment should take approximately 15 minutes.

      Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.

      See a broken link? Please let us know!

  • 2.4 Delegation: The Power of Other People’s Help  
    • Reading: MindTools™: “Successful Delegation”

      Link: MindTools™: “Successful Delegation” (HTML)

      Instructions: Read this article to learn what factors to consider when delegating your tasks and responsibilities to others. Delegation is not just a job; it is a skill that requires the application of leadership qualities and some logical techniques. This article will guide you through the process of selecting to whom tasks should be delegated and how to manage expected results.

      Reading this article and taking notes should take approximately 15 minutes.

      Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.

      See a broken link? Please let us know!

  • Unit 3: Stress Management  

    As you learned in the last unit, avoiding procrastination and learning to delegate successfully helps to reduce stress. Stress is normal. Everyone feels stress related to work, family, decisions, your future, and more. Stress is both physical and mental and can be caused by major life events such as illness, the death of a loved one, a change in responsibilities or expectations at work, and job promotions, loss, or changes. Unit 3 will help you understand the impact of stress and will give you key tools to help you achieve a more balanced and stress-free life.

    Unit 3 Time Advisory   show close
    Unit 3 Learning Outcomes   show close
  • 3.1 Introduction to Managing Stress  
    • Reading: Helpguide: Melinda Smith and Robert Segal’s “Stress Management”

      Link: Helpguide: Melinda Smith and Robert Segal’s “Stress Management” (HTML)
       
      Instructions: This article introduces the concepts contained in Unit 3 relating to the need for stress management in our lives. For example, you will learn how to recognize your long- and short-term stressors as well as your ability to frame challenges as either insurmountable obstacles or potential opportunities.
       
      Reading this selection and taking notes should take approximately 15 minutes.
       
      Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.

      See a broken link? Please let us know!

  • 3.2 Roadblocks to Stress Awareness  
    • Web Media: Helpguide: “Roadblocks to Awareness”

      Link: Helpguide: “Roadblocks to Awareness” (HTML)

      Instructions: Stress management starts with identifying the sources of stress in your life. Learning to effectively manage stress is the first step to regaining your emotional balance. When you have the ability to quickly relieve stress in the moment, you’ll become more resilient, enabling you to successfully navigate life’s challenges time and time again. This three-minute video highlights the various internal and external roadblocks that might be preventing you from successful stress management. It provides guidance to recognizing the barriers to living a balanced life with minimal stress.

      Watching this video and taking notes should take approximately 15 minutes.

      Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.

      See a broken link? Please let us know!

  • 3.3 Stress Help Center and Diary  
    • Reading: Helpguide: “Stress Help Guide”

      Link: Helpguide: “Stress Help Guide” (HTML)
       
      Instructions: Please read these articles, which provide tools and tips to help you recognize the signs and symptoms of stress overload. They also offer methods and suggestions for taking steps to reduce the harmful effects of stress. The articles below are must-reads:

      • “Stress Symptoms, Causes & Relief: Understanding Stress and Getting Relief”;
      • “Stress Management: How to Reduce, Prevent, and Cope with Stress”; and
      • “Quick Stress Relief: Tips to Reduce and Manage Job and Workplace Stress.”
      If time permits, you are encouraged to read any additional articles in this section.

      Reading these articles and taking notes should take approximately 45 minutes.

      Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.

      See a broken link? Please let us know!

    • Reading: MindTools™: “Stress Diaries”

      Link: MindTools™: “Stress Diaries” (HTML)

      Instructions: Read this article, which reminds us that we are all under stress every day. Some stress leads to greater productivity, but we need to recognize the level of stress at which we prefer to operate. By keeping a diary, the authors suggest that you can learn to analyze your short-term stressors (e.g. dealing with difficult people, poor time management, burnout, etc.), and learn to manage them. Under the heading “Using the Tool,” click on the link to the “Stress Diary” template that you may find helpful to help alleviate stressors found in daily life.

      Reading this article should take approximately 15 minutes.

      Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.

      See a broken link? Please let us know!

  • Final Exam  

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