Wasting time. We all do it. You & I both. The key is to limit it as much as possible. So, we need to know what is wasting our time. What are we doing instead of getting work done? After all, we don’t punch a clock (most of us).
| No | Time Waster | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 10. | Lack of self-discipline | Determine the consequences of failing to hit your goals. Keep goals visible. |
| 9. | Can’t say NO | Be honest with yourself & others. Say, “No, but I can later today. 3:00 OK?” Be jealous of your time. |
| 8. | Messy desk | Set time aside every week to organize it. Daily/weekly. Have others remind you – help you. |
| 7. | Unplanned meetings | Have agendas for ALL meetings – even on the spot ones. Set time limits & stick to them. In office/Inperson meetings: Stand up so they stay brief! |
| 6. | Trying to do too much | Learn to prioritize & learn to say “NO” politely. It’ll help you sell better too! (jealous of your time). |
| 5. | Failure to delegate | Decide who’s in your “support network”. Delegate “up,”“down” & “sideways.” Ask for help. |
| 4. | “Visitors” (or colleague calls) | Ask them to come back or call back. In the office? Put up a Do Not Disturb sign. A closed door works, too. It’s business time not social time. |
| 3. | Failure to plan | Do a better job of setting goals. Be specific. Give yourself time to plan. PUT ITEMS ON CALENDAR. |
| 2. | Managing crisis | Plan more effectively. Anticipate problems. Learn from mistakes. |
| 1. | Social media. Phone, email, Internet | Plan specific time for all of these (off work hours) |
