TIME LOG ANALYSIS management for behavior

TIME LOG ANALYSIS GUIDELINES

This paper gives you the opportunity to critically examine your own espoused versus enacted values” in relation to how you spend your time. The analysis utilizes several models we have discussed in class.

The paper is divided into 4 parts with components within each part. Write a 4 page (3-4 should do it) paper that is 12 point font, 1 inch margins, and well proofread. As for single or double space, I refer you to my earlier comments where I advised that single space papers are fine if well organized – 1/3 to 1/2 page sections, good use of white space and section headers, and so forth. You may find it makes the paper additionally easier to read if you use a bullet point or block paragraph approach. Remember the cleaner the paper the easier to read, the easier to read the more likely your message is understood and reflected in your score.

Part 1:

Upload your raw data to the “Time Log Data” link as described in the prior guidelines.

In a separate document address the following prompts and upload paper into the “Time Log Analysis” link:

Part 2:

Draw the urgency/importance matrix and plot your relevant percentages of time spent in each cell (remember to place the hours and % of sleep separately to the side). These percentages should add up to roughly 100%

List the 2 – 3 major activities in each cell and how many hours/week you spend on each activity. These items are drawn from the list of ALL activities that you used to create the matrix percentages, as such these items may not (most likely will not) ad up to 168 hours. However, if they total less than 145 hours you may need to examine how well you collected your data, or you may have a key point to discuss in the next section.

This graphic should take half a page at most.

Part 3:

Using Schwartz article, analyze how effectively you are managing your time/energy. Frame your discussion in terms of mind (e.g., school, work), body (exercise, diet), emotions (happy, irritable), and spirit (balanced, not in control). Discuss the degree of alignment/misalignment (gap analysis) between how think or would like to be allocating your time versus how you are actually spending your time. You may not have something to say about all 4. Look in depth at 2 areas (mind, body tend to be most popular) and give a brief comment about the other 2.

Also look at Christensen’s traps (“I will do it tomorrow.” “Oh just this once….”) to identify specific examples of your time related behaviors that might be misaligned.

What does your time log thus far tell you about whether you “walk your talk?” Think in Christensen’s terms of being “happy” (following your life strategy, fulfilling your purpose, maintaining relationships and values). What have you learned?

This section should be about a page in length.

Part 4:

What are the implications for your future behavior? That is what do you accept, what might you change? What are some specific action items you might select to work on?

Use Stoner & Gilligan’s 5 steps of transformation to outline your discussion. Do not just give blanket slogans (“I need to identify what I can and can’t control.” “I need to use my time better.” “I should spend less time on distractions”). Provide specific illustrations and possible actions for each of the 5 stages (“This [x] is something I can not control and this is how I will adapt. This [y] is something I can control and I will do [z].”) Emphasis here is on implementation.

If you feel a stage does not apply, state that and briefly explain why it does not apply otherwise it will appear you did not consider it and you will be graded accordingly.

Each section of the 5 sections should be about a paragraph in length.1）Be sure there is no empty space in the logs. Some people have left areas open and in the guidelines I mentioned this will be taken as not recording the data. Advice – use the color coding approach so it is all filled in.

2) Some people filled in the ongoing activities by writing the activity in each cell. No problem, however I am finding I prefer the color-coding blocks – easier to read, No advice, just a preference based on the newer approach. If you want to add in the colors you may, but it is not required.

Commentary: the color coded blocks is a more recent addition and actually came from a student suggestion a couple years ago. One benefit I am noting is it makes it easier to then aggregate your data into the categories used to construct the matrix. Two, it gives more space to describe the activity, make it easier for me to read (and thus grade 🙂

3) Second level data. I mentioned in the guidelines being more specific on the activities – what are you doing for the class (video, read, homework), why are you driving (work, school, errand, playing Uber for friends). Do the same for what social media, what YouTube, Netflix,etc. This helps you analyze the patterns for Part 3 – are you driving for important things or not; are you binge watching a particular show or are you just scrolling through social media looking at whatever and thus not getting to what is important.