1. Create a yearly plan - what do I want to do/get/learn/improve/etc. this year?
   List answers, eliminate the unimportant or impossible. Make a priority list from this. These are now your GOALS. Put them on a chart.
   
   
2. Create monthly/weekly plans -What do I need to do to accomplish these goals? Break the task into steps and put in order. Example : GOAL: to make the swim team. Monthly/weekly plan: try out, get a physical, fill out forms, get swimsuit, go to practices.
   Put these steps onto a weekly plan.
   
   
3. Create a daily plan - what do I have to do today? Use a calendar to record due dates, appointments, etc. Make a "To Do" list based on your weekly plan and then add things you have to do from your calendar.(Berry 22-47) Rank these items based on importance. Cross off items as they are completed. Begin each day with 10 minutes of planning time. Make a new list including unfinished items from the previous day, things to be done today, and things to be done to get ready for future deadlines. Include personal goals.
   
   Be flexible. Eliminate items which are unnecessary or about which you don't care.
   Don't overschedule yourself. Say, "no".
   Use little chunks of time.
   Identify time stealers (TV, phone).
   Plan for fun.
   Avoid procrastination (see below)
   (Espeland 171-173)

III. Procrastination

Why do we procrastinate? We're overwhelmed. We don't want to do the job because it's boring or unpleasant. (Winston 106-107) We want it to be perfect.

1. Begin your task as soon as possible to have more time later.(Berry 22-47)
   Children should do homework within an hour of getting home to avoid getting sidetracked (Middle Years) (NOTE: This may not be a good idea for some kids.)
   
   
2. Break the job down into small tasks (Example: choose topic, gather research materials, etc.)
   
   
3. Reward yourself/your child for starting a job without being asked or finishing a portion of the job. (Middle Years) Race the clock for fun. (Berry 22-47)
   
   
4. Start with a baby step - do one tiny portion (pick up one paper clip)(Winston 106-107)
   
   
5. For a recurring task, get an opening routine (put a heading on the paper). (Winston 106-107)
   
   
6. Keep workspace pleasant (Winston 106-107)
   
   
7. Take a break - set the timer (Winston)
   
   
8. Do nothing - stare at the work you're not doing (Winston)
   
   
9. "As long as I'm sitting here, I might as well..." (Winston)
   
   
10. Close your eyes and work through the task in your imagination (Winston)
    
    
11. Write down the negative aspects of procrastinating, then list the positive aspects of completing the task. (Winston)

See the attached list for tips for beating procrastination.

IV. Project Planning

1. Understand the project
   If teacher assigned - double-check with the teacher
   If self-selected - brainstorm, pick something that really interests you
   
   
2. Get set up
   Set personal due date several days before deadline
   Gather books and supplies
   
   Think about how to use time: How long does this have to be? How hard to research? How much time to complete?
   
   
3. Work
   Explain your project to family or friends to practice. If a group project , check each other's work

V. Miscellaneous

1. Book Reports
   1. Understand the assignment - length, due date, topic
   2. Count the pages - how long will this take to read? Plan to read a certain amount of pp. per day
   3. Note the type of book and the setting
   4. Take notes while reading
   5. Make an outline - organize ideas
   6. Describe your reaction (Middle Years)

2. Organization of Space

Homework may be better done near a parent (i.e. not in a bedroom )
Put homework tools in a basket near the workspace
Limit distractions (Cindrich)

3. Middle School Problems

They have less time than before (sports, after school activities) and more homework.
Need designated, distraction-free time and parental over-sight
Use the school planner - show the child how to record and plan ahead for a deadline - breakdown projects and studying for tests. (Davidson)

4. Tips for creative people

Perhaps box-type calendars don't work well for them. Try a pie chart to represent hours or days. Or try a straight time-line to represent the plan for a project or to represent a daily or weekly plan. Use stick on notes or draw branches on your time-line. Try mind-mapping for projects. (Lamping & Lahmkuhl 54-56)

5. Homework

Set time limits for some homework - race the clock
Do homework in school or on the bus (Middle Years Nov. 2003)
(These were a kid's suggestions. They may need some adjustment)

6. Parting thoughts

"Technology, coupled with a national obsession to compete and the unspoken message that busyness and self-worth are inextricably linked, has created a society of people whose lives are ruled by chaotic habits." (Stich 68)

"When you're on an adrenaline-induced high, the blood in your brain is directed away from the part used for creativity and problem-solving and toward the part used to deal with stress." (Stich 69)

Why do we want to live with chaos?

Change the habit:
Devote at least 10 minutes/day to something relaxing
Stop working under unreasonable demands. Add only 3 new items to your to-do list/day (in addition to what must be done.
Limit kids' activities
Stop multi-tasking - it's usually counter-productive
Change individual habits - (if you're always late, leave earlier)
Set personal goals - (Family time, etc.)
Focus on the goal - ignore distractions (Stich)

Berry, Joy. Living Skills - Every Kid's Guide to Using Time Wisely. Sebastopol, CA: Living Skills Press, 1987.

Cindrich, Sharon Miller. "Get Organized" Family Sept. 2004: 32-34.

Davidson, Tish. "Moving Up to Middle School" Family Sept. 2004: 38.

Espeland, Pamela. Life Lists for Teens . Minneapolis: Free Spirit Publishing, 2003.

Lamping, Dolores Cotter and Lehmkuhl, Dorothy. Organizing for the Creative Person. New York: Crown Publishers, Inc., 1993.

Winston, Stephanie. Stephanie Winston's Best Organizing Tips. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995.

"Project SOS" Middle Years. Resources for Educators, a division of Aspen Publishers, Inc., 2002.

"Parent to Parent - Homework Hotline" Middle Years, Nov. 2003

Author - Liz Koch

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