节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2013-09-17
难易度:Medium
关键字:preference, assignment, procrastination, abandon
We are on the second day of our article The Psychology of To-Do Lists.
And so far we have talked a little bit about some of the problems and their
solutions with to-do lists.
The first one was that most people have a preference to do short tasks first.
But there is a solution.
You can divide those longer assignments into shorter parts so that they seem
easier.
The second problem we talked about today was that writing the list itself can be
procrastination.
But the solution is coming up in the next part of our lesson.
Don't worry.
Let's not procrastinate any longer.
(Music).
The Psychology of To-Do Lists.
Solution: Don't just list tasks; decide when and where to do them.
This will help you follow through.
Some experts recommend a method called if/then planning.
For example, rather than writing Call Steve, write Monday after lunch, call
Steve.
Others abandon to-do lists altogether because they prefer scheduling tasks on a
calendar.
Remember, to-do lists are tools.
They won't solve all your time-management problems.
But if used well, they can make you more effective at work and at home.
(Music).
Well, before the break we were talking about a problem.
The problem is writing the to-do list could be itself a form of procrastination.
All right, here is the solution.
Don't just list tasks; decide when and where to do them.
So be specific.
That's right.
List when and where to do them.
And this will help you follow through.
Now that is an interesting phrase: to follow through with something.
Let's look at that.
If you follow through with it, that means that you complete it.
You continue the task until it is done.
That's right. You follow through.
So if you start to do something, don't just finish before it's... it's done.
You need to follow through in order to make sure that it is really good.
And this reminds me of something we talked about earlier this month.
If you started a poem or a song or something else creative, don't just put it to
the side and not think about it.
Follow through!
Finish something that you started.
That's right.
So make sure that you follow through with your work and as well as with your fun
projects that you have.
Now some experts recommend a method called if/then planning.
If something happens, then something else will also happen.
For example, rather than writing Call Steve, write Monday after lunch, call
Steve.
So if it's Monday... if it's Monday after lunch, then call Steve.
That's right.
There is some good if/then planning. OK.
Others abandon to-do lists altogether because they prefer something else.
They prefer scheduling tasks on a calendar.
OK, so that's another kind of solution here.
They want to schedule on a calendar instead.
But let's take a look at that word from our Word Bank: to abandon something.
That means to just leave it.
You're not finished with it.
Uh, you... you shouldn't leave it, but you're just going to leave it.
You abandon it.
That's right.
So abandon or to leave something to ignore it and just walk away from it.
You don't want to abandon your work.
You need to get it finished.
Don't procrastinate.
Don't get in the habit of procrastination.
And you don't want to abandon your teammates.
So if you are working on a project with someone, don't abandon them.
Make sure that you follow through and finish what you start.
I think that's great advice.
Of course it's possible to just abandon a project.
But what's even worse is abandoning other people that you're supposed to be
working with. OK?
So don't do that.
However, you might find it more helpful to schedule tasks on your calendar.
So it's OK to just abandon to-do lists altogether.
Well, it's time right now for us to learn something with Steve and Ken in the
Information Cloud about that word: altogether.
Hi, friends.
How do you spell "all together"?
Is it one word or two words?
Well, that will depend on what you want to say.
Each spelling brings with it a different meaning.
OK. First, "altogether" spelled as one word.
This is used as an adverb, meaning completely or to the full extent.
Here's an example.
That test was altogether too difficult.
In other words, when all is said and done, the test was a difficult one.
So altogether, there is one word.
Now let's look at "all together" as two words.
The word "all" indicates a group of something.
So the phrase "all together" means everyone or everything in a group acting
together.
Can you think of an example, Ken?
Sure.
The last time we were all together was in 2001.
So that's "all together," two words.
If it's still not clear, try this little trick.
If you can rephrase the sentence by breaking up "all" and "together," then you
should write all together as two words.
So instead of saying the last time we were all together was in 2001, you might
rephrase it and say...
The last time all of us were together was in 2001.
(Chinese).
Let's say that word all together now:
Altogether.
Well, that was altogether wonderful.
That was.
It really was, Gabe.
Well, let us continue reading.
Remember, to-do lists are tools.
They won't solve all your time-management problems.
And this is true, they will not solve your time-management problems.
Yes. So they are just tools.
You can't use something like this to solve all your problems.
But if used well, they can make you more effective at work and at home.
All right.
So we saw some problems in this lesson, and we saw some solutions.
And of course if you know how to use these to-do lists, then you can be more
effective wherever you are.
Well, we want to continue being effective in learning English, and enjoy a
review skit.
Then we'll join Michelle in the Language Lab.
Feed the dog.
Go grocery shopping.
Clean the house.
No...
What are you doing?
I'm going over this to-do list.
That's good.
A list reminds people what to work on.
Yeah, but look how long it is.
These tasks are overwhelming.
Oh, that is a long list.
What should be done first?
I don't know.
I'm faced with so many choices, and I'm finding it hard to do anything.
That's a problem.
Yeah.
So what should I do?
Prioritize the items on the list.
Start with the most important tasks first.
But I have a preference for the short, easy tasks.
I'll do those first, then... then I can check them off.
But then the long jobs remain, right?
Yeah, right.
That's a problem.
So what should I do?
Divide the big parts into smaller assignments.
Oh... hmm.
And then use "fun" tasks as rewards when you finish difficult ones.
Yeah! OK.
Well, first, I'm going to add some more items to my to-do list.
It gives me a sense of accomplishment.
That's a form of procrastination.
It's a problem.
What should I do?
Don't just list tasks.
Decide when and where to do them.
OK, yeah. Good idea.
Done!
Great.
Now you're ready to start.
No. You are.
This to-do list is for you.
Oh...
(Music).
OK.
(Chinese).
And I guess we have to go back to our teacher now.
Well, it's been a great article - The Psychology of To-Do Lists.
And we saw three problems and three solutions that have to do with to-do lists.
So does this lesson change your opinion about to-do lists at all?
Carolyn?
Well, I hadn't really considered all of these problems before that were
mentioned in the article about to-do lists.
But I think that these solutions will help me to make my to-do lists much more
effective.
And I will not uh, be procrastinating quite as much.
Well, I agree with you.
I found that one very helpful, too, not to just write out a to-do list but to be
specific about when and where I will do something.
Well, thank you for joining us today.
And we hope to see you next time right here at Studio Classroom.
See you then.