Year: 2025

At our recent Program Development Leadership Cohort in-person Kick-Off, I collected ideas for follow-up professional development. One of the suggestions that came up was “Time Management.” It’s not a surprise—it is a perennial request. I often think, ” There are time management experts, and then there are…the rest of us.” I often feel overwhelmed by deadlines and search for tips, tricks, and practices for managing and, ideally, mastering my time.

A couple of years ago, while looking for sage advice about getting up earlier in the mornings (and going to bed earlier at night), I stumbled across a blog I liked from Laura Vanderkam, a writer, author, and time management specialist.   I enjoyed her writing style and candor about life and getting more things done that we want to be known for.  At the time, her book, Off the Clock, helped me to track my time, shift my schedule, and make decisions that helped me to get things done that I prized (over just doing what I had to do). I’ve gone on to read or listen to most of her books, and I do my best to follow her guidance (and then sometimes relisten. I have no shame in saying that I am a work in progress ?).

I thought I’d share a couple of her tips, including my application, in case they are helpful to you…

1. Plan on Fridays. Vanderkam advocates for planning your week on Fridays (rather than Sundays or Mondays). This approach allows you to prioritize tasks, set goals, ensure a balanced schedule for the upcoming week, and, most importantly, wrap your head around next week before you are in it.  I love this, and yes, I still need a refresher on Monday on what is to come, but reviewing the upcoming week and sometimes moving and shifting meetings so that I have enough time blocks to get deeper work done is monumental.  Additionally, Laura encourages making time for this in a way that I look forward to that planning time (which doesn’t feel the same way if I wait until Monday).
   
2. Establish a Consistent Bedtime.  Yes – this will help you with your time management! Sleep is crucial for productivity. By setting a regular bedtime, you ensure adequate rest, which enhances focus and efficiency during the day…and certainly makes an early start much more achievable. Full disclosure: (for me) when going to bed early equates to scrolling through Instagram, it does not have the same benefits.  However, 20 minutes of diving into a book read for joy…is restful and restorative.
   
3. Embrace a ‘Three Times a Week’ Rule. In her book Tranquility by Tuesday, Vanderkam expounds that habits don’t have to be daily to be effective. Engaging in an activity three times a week can establish a consistent routine without overwhelming you or your schedule. Whether it is “make time to walk 10K steps a day 3 times a week”, “make time for deep work ( a 2hr block of no distractions) 3 times a week”, or “bring lunch 3 times a week”…this is a step toward progress without fear of failure.  You can always do more than 3x a week – but there are no bad feelings if you only do 3 times a week (which isn’t too tough). This takes the pressure off, and helps me give myself a little grace when the day or week just doesn’t go as planned. Most of the time – 3 times a week is very achievable.

Implementing these strategies can transform your approach to time management, leading to a greater productivity and…whallah – a more balanced life. For more insights and resources, visit Laura Vanderkam’s website. https://lauravanderkam.com/

Recommended Reading or listening (from me ?) from Laura Vanderkam:

• Tranquility by Tuesday
• 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think
• Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done
• I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time
• Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals
• What The Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast

Other books about time management that I’ve found helpful:

• Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
• Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport
• Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

This week I led the 8th season of CCE Program Development Leadership Cohort kickoffs.  We had 17 incredible staff members participate from all corners of NYS and we had campus partners involved as well – which was fabulous!

I will be asking cohort members to reflect on their learnings and share here, as I think this is a great way to learn from each other.  Below is our first submission from Jennifer Coe,  CCE Franklin 4-H Camp Overlook Team Leader (thank you Jennifer!!).

As we embark on new initiatives and strive to expand our impact across New York, the initial planning phase is absolutely critical. It’s where our vision takes shape, our goals are defined, and the very foundation of our program is laid. To ensure these foundations are strong and our efforts are efficient and effective, embracing a program development model isn’t just a suggestion – it’s a necessity.

Think of a program development model as your path through the woods, all the tools you might use to guide your way, and the trail markers you see along the way. If you lose your way, you have those tools to back you up and encourage you back on path. Once you know the trail, it is much easier to follow the next time.  (PS- I’m a camp director!) It provides a step-by-step framework, guiding you through the essential stages of creating and implementing a new program. Without this roadmap, we risk getting lost in the details, overlooking crucial steps, and ultimately, hindering our ability to deliver impactful outcomes for the communities we serve.

So, why is this structured approach so vital? Let’s explore some key benefits:

Clarity and Focus: A well-defined model helps us to clearly articulate the program’s purpose, target audience, and desired outcomes right from the start. This shared understanding ensures everyone on the team is on the same page, minimizing confusion and maximizing focused effort.

Systematic Planning: Program development models break down the complex process of creation into manageable steps. From needs assessment and resource identification to implementation and evaluation, each stage is thoughtfully considered and addressed. This systematic approach reduces the likelihood of overlooking critical elements and helps us anticipate potential challenges.

Efficient Resource Allocation: By outlining the necessary steps and anticipated resources early on, a program development model enables us to allocate our time, budget, and personnel more effectively. This proactive approach helps prevent resource strain and ensures we’re utilizing our assets wisely. Consider resources close to your organization as well in adjacent programs seeking out new ideas and avoiding duplication of services.

Enhanced Collaboration: A structured model fosters better communication and collaboration among team members and stakeholders. With clear roles and responsibilities defined within the framework, everyone understands their contribution and how their work fits into the larger picture.

Improved Evaluation and Sustainability: Many program development models incorporate evaluation as an ongoing process, not just an afterthought. This allows us to monitor progress, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately build more sustainable and impactful programs. By embedding evaluation from the outset, we can gather valuable data to demonstrate our effectiveness to funders and the community.

Adaptability and Innovation: While providing structure, a good program development model also allows for flexibility and adaptation. As we learn and grow, the model can help us refine our approach and incorporate innovative strategies to better meet the evolving needs of our communities.

In essence, utilizing a program development model empowers us to move beyond a hurried planning and embrace a more strategic and intentional approach. It’s about working smarter, not just harder, to create programs that are robust, impactful, and truly make a difference.

As you embark on your next program development journey, I encourage you to explore the various models available – whether it’s the ADDIE model, Logic Model, Dick & Carey, or others – and find the one that best suits your program’s needs and context. Let’s leverage these frameworks to ensure our collective efforts to continue to thrive and create meaningful change.

Let’s build strong programs together!

For more information about the practice of program development and models to help you make sense of it all, visit: https://staff.cce.cornell.edu/courses/ccepdc-101/program-development-concepts-and-models 

Jennifer Coe is the 4-H Camp Overlook Team Leader from CCE Franklin County.