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Top 7 Time Wasters and How to eliminate
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نکاتی در مورد جلوگیری از اتلاف وقت
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Removing
any of these top 7 time wasters can clear your schedule so you can get
to work and stay focused on priorities. When you practice your ability
to focus and take action to get the job done, your time-management
ability will soar.
1. The E-Mail Time Waster
Are you constantly checking e-mail? Do you go to your e-mail in-box
before or instead of your high-priority projects? Does receiving and
replying to e-mail occupy your thoughts all day long? Schedule e-mail
free periods of the day. Perhaps set 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. as your
“hour of power” when you mentally prepare for the day and prioritize –
before you let checking e-mail eat up your morning.
2. The Constant-Interruptions Time Waster
Do people waltz
into
your office unannounced? Do they “hang out” and talk about things that
aren’t related to work? To ensure focused concentration, block out time
when nobody is allowed to interrupt you. Close the office door. Put up
a sign that says, “Focus time. Come back in an hour” or, “With a
client.” If you have an assistant, he or she can also guard your office
door to limit interruptions.
3. The “I’m Distracted” Time Waster
Are you easily distracted by your surroundings? Does the noisy bustleof your office take you off track? You need to buffer
yourself
from things that catch your attention. If you work in a cube and the
computer clicking and beeping is getting to you, try playing relaxing
music on a headset. Have enough background noise or “white noise” to
keep your mind focused.
4. The Must-Pick-Up-the-Phone Time Waster
You’re working intensely on a year-end report due in two hours, when
your phone rings. Out of habit, you grab it. You immediately want to
hang up and explain that you’re not available, but it’s an important
client. An hour later, you try to pick back up on the report, feeling
your heart rate race. If you can’t control the urge to answer the
phone, turn it off during highly focused work times.
5. The “I’d Rather Be Doing Something Else” Time Waster
Let’s face it. Work isn’t always
fun. Your mind is creative, so you may find yourself getting
distracted. But you have to perform, to get key things done or your job
or business will be in jeopardy.
Wasting
time by doing non-important and non-urgent tasks. If you find yourself
diving into things other than work, limit them to five minutes. Then
get back to your top projects.
6. The Self-Interruption Time Waster
Your office door is
shut. You’re focusing intently on writing your company’s e-newsletter,
when, “Ding!” a text message arrives on your cell phone. You pick it up
immediately and respond, at length, about what you’ll bring to your
friend’s house for dinner Friday night. By the time you finish
exchanging text messages, you’ve forgotten that great quote you came up
with for the article. Block out all those things that lead you to
interrupt yourself. Unless it’s used for business purposes, turn off
your cell phone.
7. The Can’t-Say-No Time Waster
“Can you take on an extra, after-hours work assignment?”
“Sure, no problem.”
Not saying “No” to assignments you have no business taking on in the
first place leads to wasting your time. Sure, it’s great to lend a hand
when you can, but not at the expense of your key projects. If a project
suffers because you took on coordinating the office holiday party, your
boss isn’t going to understand. It’s your job to prioritize. Expand
your use of “No,” “No thanks,” and “I can’t this time, but I’d love to
in the future when I have an opening.” Your performance will increase,
and you’ll have more time to choose where to best spend your hours.
Reduce just 3 of these top 7 time wasters with the above tips and your
time-management skills will blossom. Fill this new time with actions
that will drive you toward your top priorities—and toward results!
Waltz
=/v/
to walk somewhere calmly and confidently
Bustle=/n/
busy and usually noisy activity
Buffer
=/v/
to reduce the bad effects of something
Jeopardy
=/n/
in danger of being lost or harme
d
