The 5 Major Time Wasters

• Spreading yourself too thin by trying to do too many things at once.

  Suggestion: You must set priorities for each day and, if necessary, each hour. Get the most important things done first.

• Being afraid to delegate.

  Suggestion: Convince yourself that it's not necessary to do everything yourself. You can still be certain things are being done the way you want them to be when you delegate.

• Not wanting to say "no" to requests.

  Suggestion: You can't say "yes" to everything without getting in over your head. Decide what you must do - and want to do - and say "no" to all other requests.

• Being tied to the phone.

  Suggestion: Have others screen your calls. Use an answering machine when you don't want to be disturbed. Schedule a telephone hour to return calls.

• Procrastinating.

  Suggestion: Get those unpleasant chores done first - if they're important. Divide large tasks into smaller ones. Reward yourself when you accomplish something.

Reprinted with permission from the copyright holder Dr. Jan Yager who is a sociologist, management consultant, and author of Creative Time Management for the New Millennium (Hannacroix Creek Books, 1999). http://www.JanYager.com
All rights reserved.

Source: Redbook (August 1990)

Created and maintained by Renette Davis. Send comments to: rd13@midway.uchicago.edu

Created: Oct. 9, 1999
Last updated: July 4, 2002

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