If you’re like me, there never seems to be enough time and you often wonder if you can manage it better. And the truth is that most of us could – and if you follow these seven principles you probably will. But here’s the thing. I saved myself a wad of time by getting chatGPT to write this post for me. Lest you haven’t been keeping up with the news, chatGPT is an extraordinarily powerful AI tool which is taking the internet by storm and leaving educators anxiously asking about the future of assessment as it churns out sophisticated essays, poems and answers to classic undergraduate questions in a matter of seconds. I just typed in: 7 steps to time management and in a few seconds it had produced what follows. Give it a read. I hope you think it is not up to my usual amazing standard (and if you do, keep it to yourself!) but it does make you think.
Here are the seven key things to remember about time management (with thanks to chatGPT):
- Prioritize your tasks: Focus on the most important tasks first, like the ones with the tightest deadlines or the highest impact. This will help you avoid wasting time on less important tasks.
- Set specific goals: Be clear about what you want to accomplish, and set specific goals for yourself. This will help you stay on track and avoid getting bogged down in unimportant tasks.
- Use a calendar: Keep track of your tasks and deadlines by using a calendar or planner. This will help you stay organized and make sure that you complete your tasks on time.
- Break tasks into smaller chunks: Large tasks can be overwhelming, so break them down into smaller, more manageable chunks. This will make it easier to stay focused and avoid procrastination.
- Eliminate distractions: Identify and eliminate sources of distraction, such as social media, notifications, or background noise. This will help you stay focused and be more productive.
- Take breaks: Taking regular breaks is important for staying energized and refreshed. Use this time to stretch, grab a snack or a cup of tea, or simply step away from your work.
- Reflect and adjust: Reflect on your time management habits and make adjustments as needed. This will help you become more efficient and productive over time.
Artificial Intelligence is introducing us to a whole new world of possibility. I’ve been listening to a few podcasts for authors which suggest that we should get this emerging software to write the first draft of all our novels for us. Apparently you type in about a dozen big ideas, are clear about the literary genre you want, and it can then write you the rest. Once done, you are advised to give a bit of a personal touch by going over the script and adding a few grammatical errors or interesting anecdotes to make it a little more human. It sure is an interesting new world we are building.
What do you think? Should I stop writing the blog and let chatGPT take over? And is there going to be much of a role left for us humans in the future – or will it be that we will have more time to figure out what it means to be human (well, if you follow these 7 principles, you will). There are so many questions to ask, especially now that we, who as the Psalmist notes “have been fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), are embarking upon our own “next level” creating. Who (but God) knows where it will end, but many fascinating questions are waiting to be explored.
As always, nice chatting…
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Please forward to any who might find this post of interest. Repost with acknowledgment of source.
No time to reply after reading what the AI said.
Footnote: This reply was written without the help of any intelligence. 🙂
Love it ?.
Comment *Eish! Definitely lacks your wise touch, Brian! Most of us know the seven steps stuff – the much more intriguing question is why we don’t do it? Can GPT answer that?
Now that’s a comment from a wonderful friend. Good questions at the end so I asked GPT to write a 350 word essay on why good advice is rarely followed and here’s what it said – taking about 5 seconds to do so:
Good advice is often ignored for a variety of reasons. Firstly, people are often resistant to change and may not be open to new ideas or perspectives, even if they are in their best interest. Secondly, personal biases and emotions can cloud judgment and lead to individuals disregarding advice that conflicts with their beliefs. Additionally, some people may simply lack the motivation or discipline to follow through on advice, especially if it requires significant effort or sacrifice.
Another reason why good advice is frequently disregarded is that it can be difficult to determine what constitutes good advice in the first place. Different individuals may have different experiences, perspectives, and priorities, leading to varying opinions on what constitutes sound advice. As a result, individuals may be more likely to trust their own instincts or rely on advice from people they are familiar with, rather than seeking out expert opinions.
Moreover, a lack of clear communication can also play a role in why good advice is not followed. Advice-givers may not take the time to effectively explain the reasoning behind their advice, leaving the recipient confused or uncertain about how to implement it. Furthermore, the recipient may not fully understand the implications of not following the advice, which can further reduce their motivation to do so.
Finally, it is also possible that the advice may not be practical or feasible for the individual to follow. For example, financial advice may not be useful for someone who is already struggling to make ends meet, or career advice may not be applicable to someone who is already in a highly specialized field. In these cases, the recipient may not see the value in following the advice, which can further reduce their likelihood of doing so.
In conclusion, there are many reasons why good advice is often ignored, including resistance to change, personal biases and emotions, a lack of motivation or discipline, conflicting opinions on what constitutes good advice, poor communication, and practicality issues. To improve the chances of good advice being followed, it is important for advice-givers to communicate clearly, understand the recipient’s needs and circumstances, and consider practical implications.