Time Constraints Got You Down
Common time wasters and tips on how to better manage your time.
Nashville, Ark. – Now that school is back in full swing with ball games, after school band practice, dance practice, cheerleading practice, and the list goes on and on, do you find there are not enough hours in the day? If you do not manage your time, it will be managed for you. It will be scheduled and stolen by others who need you.
In order to be at your best, you must learn to slow down and take time for yourself. To sit on the porch and watch the sun go down may seem unproductive to some – but if it leaves you rejuvenated and ready to give your all to a project, then it is time well spent.
One of the reasons we do not accomplish all we would like to is that we allow time wasters to steal our precious hours and minutes. Some common time wasters are:
- Procrastination: This can be avoided by setting a deadline for yourself, with specific goals. You will be less likely to procrastinate. You might also reward yourself when the job is completed.
- Misunderstandings: When receiving or giving assignments, try to assure yourself that everyone involved fully understands. If things are not done right the first time, when will you have time to do them over?
- Interruptions: If you need to work in isolation, find somewhere quiet. This may be somewhere away from home. Things to do at home can always get in the way. Turn your phone off to avoid interruptions.
- Lack of Preparation: Plan before meeting with others. Know what points you need to cover and what answers you want – and expect the same of them.
- Perfection: Give frank consideration to just how important perfection is to each task facing you. Extreme perfection is an unrealistic use of time. This is not to suggest that you compromise your standards – just be realistic.
- Clutter: if you cannot find it, you lose considerable time searching. “A place for everything and everything in its place” is ideal. If you must purchase another one, because you can find what you are looking for, is not realistic either.
- Decisions: If too many basic decisions require your attention, you lose time. Help others to develop the ability to make decisions. Make decisions at the lowest level possible.
Learning to manage your time is a useful leadership skill. This and other leadership topics are offered through the Extension Homemaker programs in Howard County. The Extension Homemaker program is a volunteer program open to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Call the Howard County Extension Office at 870-845-7517 or visit our office located on the second floor of the courthouse to learn more about EHC! The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
Recipe of the Week
The cooler weather we experienced last week encourages me to use the oven more often to prepare “comfort foods” for my family. This recipe is easy to prepare but will make your family think you spent hours in the kitchen. If you find a tenderloin on sale, buy it. I like to divide them into serving sizes for my family of two, while saving a couple larger portions when the kids come home for the weekend. Wrap, label and freeze portions for the later use.
Roasted Marinated Pork Tenderloin
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Marinade for pork. Recipe below.
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2 (1 pound or a larger 2 pound) pork tenderloin
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Non-stick cooking spray
Marinade:
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½ cup apple juice
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¼ cup Dijon mustard
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¼ cup chopped fresh rosemary
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8 cloves garlic, minced
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¾ teaspoon ground pepper
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Make marinade by combining all ingredients in a large mixing bowl or gallon size plastic zipper type bag.
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Add tenderloin to bag and seal. Turn bag to coat pork. Refrigerate overnight.
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Drain and discard marinade from meat.
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Spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and place pork into the dish.
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Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F until an instant read thermometer reaches 160 degrees F (about 40-45 minutes).
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Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.
Yield: 8 servings
Calories 264, Fat 8g, Protein 48g, Carbohydrates 0g, Fiber 0g, Sodium 95mg
By Jean Ince
County Extension Agent - Staff Chair
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Jean Ince
County Extension Agent - Staff Chair
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
421 N. Main St, Nashville AR 71852
(870) 845-7517
jince@uada.edu
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative
action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need
materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other
appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension
and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex,
gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital
or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and
is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.