Who has enough time to be inefficient? Inefficiency wastes time. Here is a list of some major time wasters that poke their heads into people’s lives
• Procrastination: Putting off until later what you could or should do right now. If you get it done now, it is off your list.
• Acting in haste: Acting without full information or full attention to the details leads to mistakes. Once you decide to complete a task, assemble all the parts and materials required. Then, place your full attention on the situation at hand.
• The start and stop approach: Few people have the discipline and ability to complete projects in bits and pieces. Try to have time blocks that allow you to work through to completion. This will lower your frustration rate.
• Distractions: Especially on critical tasks, work in a quiet setting, without other distractions on or around you. Your tasks will take less time and you will make fewer mistakes.
• Multitasking: Focus on one action at a time. Do it with all your ability and attention. If, you feel you must do several projects at once, re-examine your priorities. Take a reasonable amount of time for every important task in your life.
• Preoccupation: Find ways to enjoy the moment and enjoy the task at hand. Do it well. Give it your attention. Then, if it is something you don’t particularly like, you will get it right the first time and won’t have to revisit it later to correct mistakes. Quality time now reduces the overall time spent with unpleasant tasks.
• Lack of commitment: Our attitude at the time of performance dictates much of the outcome and perception of the value of the experience. So, whatever the project at hand, take a deep breath. Get started, focus and get it done now, so you can be off to other more pleasant activities.
• Ignorance and bad information: Don’t begin a project without adequate and accurate knowledge about the subject.
• Obsessed with time: We do everything in a rush because we don’t have enough time to “do it all.” This is classic, crisis-management mentality. Inefficiency flourishes in this receptive environment. The better course, except in rare instances, is management by objectives. Let your priorities and goals dictate the time you spend and the pace you work at.
Work to become aware of the ways you waste time through inefficiency. Then develop a strategy and tactics to help work around or through them.
Tim O’Brien writes continuing-education courses and presents seminars on stress management.
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