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10 Time Wasters:
by
Arthur A. Hawkins II
1) Procrastination & Excuses
If you don't start you can't finish. Reach your goals &
objectives by continually working toward them. Don't put
things off! Never make things more than they are. Do not wait
until the last minute (also see #8). ACT!
2) Running Errands & Traveling
Plan ahead. Arrange tasks in order of importance and need.
Make only one trip or as few as necessary. Don't waste time
making duplicate or unnecessary trips. Combine tasks and
trips. Know what you need and who has it (phone, fax or e-mail
ahead, if appropriate). Find a good time to get it. Notify
them, so they can be prepared and you don't have to wait.
Avoid heavy traffic times like rush hour (including on the
Internet).
3) Rushing
Oops, you forgot, now you must hurry; Something important just
came up (at the last minute). . . Don't try to do everything
at once or wait until the last minute. List what must be done
and the time it takes to do it. Schedule and plan ahead but
allow for the unexpected. Avoid the costly mistakes and
oversights of rushing. Do it right the first time. Slow down
and take your time. Relax.
4) Telephone, Mail & E-mail
Why are you calling/writing? Clearly define: your purpose and
what you want to accomplish, exactly who you are addressing,
the best means of getting what you need. . . Prepare a brief
telemarketing script (practice before calling) or rough
outline. Don't waste time. Set a specific time to
call/write/log on. Take and return calls/mail when it's
convenient for you. Screen calls with an answering device.
Give out your phone number and address only to those you want
contacting you. When you accomplish your objective, hang up
and move on.
5) Paperwork, Reports & Memos Have a purpose for writing. KISS
it- keep it short and sweet. Get to the point immediately and
be clear about it. Avoid unnecessary writing and duplications.
Screen incoming paperwork carefully. Continually purge that
which is of no use to you, but be careful. Keep everything
where it can be easily located and used.
6) Meetings Why meet?
What's covered- purpose, subject, scope? Schedule meetings
carefully- time, date, location, length, type, attendees.
Address the issues. Prepare everyone. Avoid unnecessary
meetings.
7) Television Informed viewer or couch potato? Why are you
watching? Determine what's really important to you. You can
always videotape or watch it in rerun. ALTERNATIVES: Be a
self-starter, find a hobby, start a business, exercise, read a
book, do something productive. Turn it off!
8) Planning & Decision Making "No one plans to fail, they just
fail to plan." But this can lead to the classic
"paralysis-by-analysis". To accomplish what you want, you
must ACT! Gather the facts. Weigh both sides. Plan it out in
detail ahead of time. Combine tasks. Delegate. Prioritize.
Bottom line: Get the job done. Decide!
9) Computer Why you are using it (purpose). What's available-
why make entries already there (stored, on paper)? Plan- Know
what you need and where & how to get it. Back it up- prepare
yourself for crashes, reusage and accidental erasurers. Limit
your time online, it's expensive. Keep a record of it. Get
what you need and log off. Avoid excessive game playing. The
computer is a productive tool, but only when used wisely.
10) Just Say YES Don't bite off more than you can chew. Be
honest with people (and yourself) about what you can take on
and they will respect you for it. Use time wisely. Schedule
your day. Know what needs to be done and the time it takes to
do it. Prioritize on importance and need. Delegate. If you
can't fit something into your schedule, no matter how
tempting, don't accept it! Don't be a "YES man". Just Say NO!
How To Avoid Wasting Time
* Give yourself plenty of time
* Relax
* Understand what must be done
* Build the "right" habits
* Schedule your day
* Use "idle" time to your advantage
* Break tasks into manageable bits
* Prioritize on importance and need
* Plan to work and work your plan
* Use technology but don't get bogged down with it
* Gather the facts
* Analyze the situation
* Make a decision
* Watch out for "paralysis-by-analysis"
* Don't procrastinate
* Tie up loose ends
* Implement your action plan
* Do it right the first time
* Know what your own "time wasters" are and avoid them
* ACT
Read the Time Management and Goal Getting sections of
"THE Self-Employment Resource Guide" for more (see
below).
... RESOURCE INFORMATION .....................................
This information was excerpted from Arthur A. Hawkins II'
book, "THE Self-Employment Resource Guide" ŠCopyright 1996.
Mr. Hawkins, a Northwestern University graduate, is founder of
Information Research Lab, a consulting and information service
firm.
