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Education & Research: Steward's Corner
by Robert
Wechsler, Education Director
Managing Your Time
There's a story from business school about a teacher who places a large jar on his lectern in front of his students. "I am going to demonstrate the most important rule of time management to you," he said. Then he took a container of large rocks and put them in the jar He shook the jar and then took a container of gravel and put them in the jar. He took out another container, this time filled with sand. Then he shook the jar and poured the sand in the jar "What have I demonstrated about time management?" he asked.
A young business student, probably someone who will work as a boss at a TWU-represented property. put up his hand. He said, "What you have shown us is that no matter how much you do in a day, there is always room to do something else." Satisfied with his answer, he sat down.
The teacher looked at the student and said, "I'm sorry, but you are wrong." He then took out a container of water, shook the jar filled with the stones and sand and poured the water into the jar
He looked at the class and asked the question again. "What have I demonstrated about time management?" This time no one dared to raise their hand.
The teacher turned to the class and said. "For all the thousands of dollars you are paying for tuition, you should at least learn the most basic rule of time management... and of life."
"Always put the big rocks in first."
Lets face it. We can't do everything. Much of what you do is beyond your control. Grievances may fly one week; the boss may go on a tear the next week; the parking lot might get ripped up during both weeks. If you can't find balance if your union work, nothing will get done and you will burn out
The big rocks first -- Set priorities
You need to set your priorities when you begin your work as a steward. Inevitably, you will be torn between many tasks. Set yourself the golden rule that you will take on the most important tasks first Grievances with time limits should be a priority. Certain safety issues merit Immediate attention. Attending union meetings is basic.
Other issues may be important but not ones to tackle first. That desk of yours with all your papers needs attention but save that task for a day when you have the time and other pressing issues are not pushing you up against the wall. Of course, it pays to get your paperwork filed in a way that will make your filing more efficient. It will save you time in the long run.
It's the same with cleaning up the union bulletin board. Every time you pass it. you see it needs attention. But if you are hurrying to an important meeting, make a note and get back to it when there is time.
Keep a notebook and calendar
There are lots of tools on the market to keep you organized. You need a notebook to make notes. Those notes should at least record the basics of all your union business--phone calls, notes of meetings. to do lists, questions that you need to answer to complete tasks.
You also need a calendar to track meetings. time limits on grievances, and any other time sensitive material. Whether you commit this material to paper or to an electronic organizer, make sure you use the system consistently. Do not rely on memory.
Use time wisely
Try to manage your time so that you don't have to go over the same territory more than once. If you are researching grievances, make one trip and take all the grievances at the same time. Then write them up at the same time, particularly if you need access to a computer or word processor.
Bunch your information requests together so that you don't have to call someone back and risk their being out of the office on the second call. The worst game to play in this business is telephone tag.
Keep to a routine
Kids thrive on routine and so should adults. Set aside time to do your union work and try to stick to it You are probably feeling the conflicting pull of family, work, and union already. By setting aside an hour a day to get the paperwork done you are setting certain limits and helping to maximize your time.
Barring real emergencies, this kind of scheduling should help to take the pressure off you And remember to keep a perspective on what is a real emergency and what is not.
Give yourself space
You need some space to do your work. Some unions have space at the workplace -- a desk and telephone. Some set aside space at the union hall You might even consider a desk at home so your materials don't bury you. Don't become the union steward who brags to other stewards that "my car trunk is my filing cabinet."
Most important. be realistic in what you can accomplish and what you need to work on over a period of time. It will help you be a better steward.[back]
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