5th           Ash Wednesday

7th           Monopoly Game was invented 1933

11th         ACSR Module #6, Commercial Property, Flowood, MS

13th         PIA Insuring Personal Residence, Jackson, MS

17th         St. Patrick’s Day

18th         CISR Insuring Commercial Property, Baton Rouge, LA

20th         IW of SW MS Monthly Business Meeting

20-23rd   NAIW Region III Convention, Savanna, GA

24th         PIA Business Auto, Jackson, MS

26th         ACSR Module #9, Related Coverages, Flowood, MS

26th         PIA Insuring Personal Residence, McComb, MS

28th         IW of SW MS Monthly Newsletter goes out

The Colorado House proposed a bill that would reform the state’s no fault automobile insurance system, something one group said has caused auto rates to become the 11th highest in the nation.

Seattle based Group Health Cooperative, the largest health care system in the Northwest, has agreed as part of a class action settlement to reimburse policyholders in Washington who paid out of pocket for alternative care.

A Kentucky judge has allowed a physicians’ class action lawsuit alleging a conspiracy of price fixing among four health maintenance organizations to go forward, but the health plans said they would appeal the decision.
 

By:  Ruth E. Phillips, CISR
        Education Chairman

We all have days when we feel there aren’t enough hours to get all our work done.  Some days, I spend eight hours working, but I feel as if I don’t get anything accomplished.  With today’s ever-increasing workload, time management skills are extremely important.  Below are some ideas that might help you manage your time.

Lists
On a typical day, I have at least three lists on my desk – my grocery list, a to-do list for work, and a to-do list for Insurance Women items.  Lists are great because they help you see everything that needs to be done and what has already been completed.  They can break down complex projects into simple tasks.  Lists also offer instant gratification – it is always a pleasure to cross an item off of my list.

Schedule
One of my friends manages her time by scheduling every item of her day.  For example, she gives herself 30 minutes to check her emails, one hour to process her mail, and fifteen minutes to return phone calls.  This system would not work for me, but some people really enjoy it.  If you want to give it a try, just remember to be realistic.  Don’t schedule an item for less time than you know it will actually take.  Also allow for some flexibility.

Prioritize
Usually, when I make my lists I put them in order of importance.  When I prioritize, I make sure I get the most important things accomplished first.

Set Reasonable Goals
I try to have one goal a day.  That way no matter how hectic my day has been, I feel a sense of pride knowing that I have accomplished a goal.  Remember not to make the goals too hard or too easy.

Have Recess
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.  No matter how busy your schedule gets, make sure to plan some time for yourself.

There are several ways to manage your time.  Keep trying different methods until you find a way that works for you.

   SEVEN DELEGATING MISTAKES

These are the seven most common problems leaders face when attempting to delegate.

Leaders need to define the results they are after.  If your project has a deadline, tell the staff the deadline and the reason behind it.  Don’t assume that your staff knows what you are thinking or that they will figure it out on their own.

Leaders must make their priorities clear.  It is human nature to get the easier tasks out of the way first.  Your staff might spend more time working on a task than you would like them to.

Leaders need to spell out relevant corporate politics.  As a leader, you will need to define situations you want to avoid, both practically and politically.  If you handle certain people a certain way your staff needs to be aware of that information.

Leaders need to know their staff’s competence levels.  Give your staff enough room to feel independent but not enough room to hang themselves with.

Leaders need to be aware of team member’s weaknesses.  Every person responds different to pressure.

Leaders must have communication checkpoints.  If a team member doesn’t seek you out for input, there may be a problem.  They may be too afraid to ask for your help.

Leaders can’t let personal opinions affect professional judgements.  Just because you like someone, doesn’t mean that they can do the job.

If you avoid these common problems, delegating responsibility should be an easy task for you.

Keri Morrell has been riding the roads lately.  She was recently in Jackson for the Legislative Day and she has some more traveling planned.  In March she will be attending a Rubles Seminar in Birmingham and she will be in Savannah for the Region III Convention.

Virginia Zeigler has had a very busy month. She went to Atlanta, GA to view some computer software.  She also won a gorgeous Camellia plant in full bloom at Brookhaven’s 40th Annual Camellia Show.  She is also spending time with her grandson Hayden. She is planning on attending a Grandparents Day function at his school and his birthday party on March 2.

Mary has very exciting news!! She is going to be a grandmother!  Dawn is expecting in October.  She is planning a trip to Chicago the first weekend in March to visit with Dawn and Kevin.

Ruthie Phillips is back at work part time after her surgery.  She is doing well.  A special thanks goes out to everyone for their thoughts and prayers.  She is planning on going to Savannah with Keri for the Region III Convention.

Deborah Ledford is staying busy working with the Insurance Women of Baton Rouge and spending quality time with her family.

Bea Jones’ is planning on taking her CISR update class on March 4, 2003.  She also enjoyed watching her grandson, Clark, play in his first varsity baseball game.  Thanks to the Internet, Bea was able to locate an aunt she hasn’t seen in 45 years.  They had a good visit and Bea got some pictures of her grandmother and uncles.

Every day you hear the phrase “set a goal.”  Here are some thoughts on goal setting.

Begin with the end in mind

Tom Watson, founder of IBM, was asked what he attributed his success to.  He said that he created a clear image in his mind on how he wanted his company to look like when he was done.  Then he asked himself how would a company like that act on a day to day basis.  Then from the very beginning he acted like that.

Top Ten List

Make a list of ten things that you want to achieve this year.  By making a list, this will create an image in your mind.  Once the image is in your mind, your mind will work to make the image a reality.

Say It With Pictures

When you are looking through magazines and brochures and you see a picture of something that you want, cut it out.  Glue all your pictures on a posterboard that you will see.  Visualizing your goals will help you achieve them.

Top Three List

Begin with a list of three things that you want to do before you die.  Then working backwards, list three things you want to do in twenty years, ten years, five years, this year, this month, this week, and finally this day.