Time Management and Organization

Strategic planning and self-management

Time management in educational coaching is not limited to filling out an agenda; it is a self-management competency.

The process begins with the elaboration of a detailed Action Plan, where not only the times are defined, but also the methodology, the necessary resources and possible contingencies.

The student learns to differentiate between what is urgent and what is important, establishing priorities that allow him/her to advance towards his/her goals without falling into exhaustion.

The teacher-coach guides the student to design his or her own organizational system, adapted to his or her biological rhythms and lifestyle. Clear rules and procedures are established for each phase of the study.

For example, decide in advance what to do if he/she encounters a blockage (ask for help, change tasks, rest for 5 minutes).

This anticipation reduces decisional fatigue and fosters autonomy, as the learner is no longer dependent on external supervision to fulfill his or her responsibilities.

Combating academic procrastination

Procrastination is usually a symptom of fear or perfectionism, not laziness. To combat it, coaching uses techniques of fragmentation and focus on process. When a task is perceived as unmanageable, the brain tends toward avoidance.

The strategy consists of breaking down the large goal into micro-tasks so small that resistance to starting them is minimal.

In addition, work is done on identifying "time thieves" and energy management.

Follow-up is crucial in this phase: periodically reviewing what has been accomplished and what has not, without value judgments, in order to adjust the planning.

The goal is for the student to experience the satisfaction of duty accomplished through the accumulation of small victories, which generates a positive feedback loop that decreases the tendency to procrastinate.

Summary

Time management is approached as a self-management competency based on strategic planning. The learner learns to prioritize the important over the urgent without burning out.

To combat procrastination, chunking large tasks into manageable micro-objectives is used. This tricks the brain's fear and generates satisfaction through constant small victories.

The teacher-coach guides the design of personalized systems adapted to the biological rhythms of each student. This autonomy reduces dependence on external supervision and encourages individual responsibility.