Top 10 Time Wasters
1. Clarity of Priorities
Not knowing one's priorities
is the biggest time waster! Know your priorities and you'll have
a road map to guide your behavior.
2. Investment of Time
Not putting enough time
into "A" and "B" activities wastes time.
It's been said that 80% of our results come from 20% of our efforts.
Maximize your efforts by investing 80% of your time into the
essential "A" and "B" activities.
3. Interruptions
Interruptions, distractions,
drop-in visitors, unplanned telephone calls are all potential
time-wasters. Schedule "open hours" during specific
time frames in order to accommodate those who need to contact
you.
4. Conflict
Conflict takes up energy
and drains us of our ability to be enthusiastic, focused and
productive. Handle whatever conflicts are in your life so as
to minimize the "drains" in your life. You'll have
more energy and focus as a result.
5. Personal Concerns During
Business Hours
Whether one works for
a business or in one's own business, it's important to respect
the boundaries between personal concerns and business. Boundaries
help you to stay focused on the present task at hand while also
minimizing distractions.
6. Procrastination
Indecision, daydreaming
and delay on taking action impede progress. Consider creating
supports that can help you in your decision-making. Create an
accountability system with a colleague or friend, or better yet,
consider working with a professional coach!
7. Lack of Self-Discipline
Lack of structure can
be a problem. Structure supports our creativity it doesn't
impede it! Self-discipline is knowing what to pay attention to
and living from this awareness. It's also about creating the
supports and structures that help us "stay on track"
so as to fully honor our commitments.
8. Unfinished Projects
Jumping from project
to project without resolution of the previous project, leaving
tasks partly done, constantly switching priorities all contribute
to wasting time. Treat every day like the day before vacation
tie up loose ends! You'll have more energy, less stress
and renewed focus the following day.
9. Socializing
Too much socializing with our colleagues or customers can
be distracting. Understand the difference between productive
socializing and wasting time there's a fine line and balance
between the two.
10. Guilt and Shoulds
"Shoulds" come
from the unexamined beliefs that unconsciously guide our behavior;
guilt is the outcome of these "shoulds." Identify your
pre-existing beliefs to see whether they make sense to you
whether they're still worthy of orienting your life around. Unexamined
beliefs create guilt when we don't live up to them. Explore what's
really important to you NOW as you deconstruct outdated beliefs.
Jan Gordon, LCSW is an Executive and Personal Coach who finds great joy in helping her clients achieve outstanding results! Ms. Gordon provides coaching to individuals and teams who are dedicated to enhancing their personal power and sense of fulfilment. Her coaching embraces the concept that challenge provides opportunity. Visit her website at: www.qualitycoaching.com. Jan can reached at jan@qualitycoaching.com
Copyright © 2002 by
Jan Gordon. All Rights Reserved. This content may be forwarded only in full, with copyright/bio/contact/creation information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Jan Gordon is required.
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