Beating the Clock on the Beat: A Time Management Story

Efficient time management skills are not the easiest thing to tackle. Anyone faced with accomplishing a hefty amount of work in a short period of time will understand that sometimes the best way to stay organized is by creating a “to-do” list. An organized list can map out where you need to be and at what time.

Here is how I stay organized with my weekly Social Media for Journalists course assignments. My goal here is to help anyone feeling overwhelmed or falling behind.

Monday

• Our weekly assignment is handed out two ways: via email, as well as posted in the Journalism 65 Facebook group wall.

1. Read the assignment carefully. This week, for example, we are asked to write a thoughtful comment on Shari’s blog interview with Owen Greaves, and then create three blog posts, all using different formats, i.e. a numbered list, “crowdsourcing,” and an interview. Finally, we must respond to at least three of our classmates’ blogs and tweet why we liked them.
2. Think critically and creatively about the content of your blog. Make an outline of topics you feel the most interested in, and then narrow that list down to three you feel you could pour some passion into.
3. Read Shari’s blog interview with Owen. A great tip would be to use this blog as a template for this week’s assignments. After you’ve commented, copy and paste the comment into your Journ 65 log, so when it comes time to write your weekly report, you have it all stored and organized.

Tuesday

• Tuesday is an important day to complete outlines and get a head start on drafting your first blog post.

1. Complete a rough draft of your posts. The earlier you start the more time you’ll have to proofread, edit, and add more content.
2. Periodically check on the Facebook group page, and keep an eye on the hashtag #jour65 on Twitter. Some of our classmates will have their blogs up already, but not to worry, I find that the more we read, the better our posts will be.
3. Once you’ve completed a rough-rough draft, allow yourself some time away from the assignment to let it sink in. When you come back to it you may have a new perspective and it will pay off in your content.
4. Remember to log any thoughts, ideas, or questions for the weekly report.

Wednesday

• For me, Wednesday is my busiest work day. I try to have one, if not two blogs completed and published.
  

1. Finish a final draft of at least one blog post. Before you publish, I find it beneficial to “preview” the blog to really get a clear idea of the look and feel of the blog and especially how you’ve conveyed the content to the reader.
   
2. Put the finishing touches on your last rough draft for your second blog post. By now you should also have started on your third blog post. I usually have a friend or two look over my drafts to get a second opinion on what works and what doesn’t. The more feedback you have, the better editor you become.
   
3. Continue to read and post comments on classmates blogs, the Facebook group, and Twitter. You’ll notice that many classmates post questions to the Facebook group wall. Reach out and answer with any feedback you can. Also, if you have any questions about your blogs, it’s a good idea to email Shari so that you have adequate time to apply her advice to your blogs before they’re due.
   
4. Continue to stay on top of your Journ65 log. When the time comes time to do your weekly report, having everything logged will make it that much easier to complete.
   

Thursday

• By the end of Thursday the only thing left to do should be completing your weekly report.

1. Go back and read through the assignment. Double check that you haven’t forgotten anything. Sometimes it’s easy to scan over something important the first time you read it. This might also be a great time to create a final check list. As you’re completing your weekly report you can check things off the list to ensure you’ve completed all the assignments.
2. Complete your last blog and publish it. Go back and make sure you’ve posted your blogs to Twitter using the hashtag #journ65 and #weeksix.
3. Read through our remaining classmates’ blogs. When commenting, try to think critically about what the writer is trying to say. Often times, our classmates can shed new light on the subject, and that’s what I appreciate the most.
4. Get a head start on your weekly report. If you’ve logged all your content and comments, then it should be a cinch because you can just copy and past everything into the report.  I usually complete my report before going to bed on Thursday so I don’t wake up on Friday with any pressures looming over my head.

Friday

• Our weekly reports are due today at noon.
  

1. Put the final edits on your weekly reports.
2. If people have commented on any of your blog posts, take the time to reply to their comments. As Shari said, showing gratitude online is an important way to establish relationships with your readers and keep them coming back for more.
3. Submit your weekly report and…EXHALE. One thing I’ve learned to do is to reward myself after a week of hard work. Whether it’s kicking back in front of the TV, going to the movies, hanging with friends, etc., we all deserve the acknowledgment of a job well done.

This list is in no way, the only way or the right way to complete your weekly assignments. I realize everyone has different methods for managing their time. I’m sure there are some people that can attack the entire week’s worth of assignments in one day, and probably all on a Thursday, but I certainly cannot. If this helps at least one person manage their course load in even in the slightest, then my mission is accomplished.