My Time Wasters

Read the following list of common time wasters.  Place a check before your 3 to 5 biggest time wasters.  If any of your biggest ones are missing, write them in at the bottom and include them in the 3 to 5 chosen.

_____  Interruptions, drop-in visitors, unplanned conversations

_____  Meetings (scheduled or unscheduled)

_____  Lack of objectives, inability to set deadlines and/or priorities

_____  Personal disorganization – having a cluttered desk and having to hunt for things

_____  Doing routine things of minor importance or low priority

_____  Attempting too much at once

_____  Setting unrealistic time estimates

_____  Procrastinating, daydreaming, being indecisive

_____  Being unable  to say “NO” to request of favors

_____  Leaving tasks unfinished, jumping from one task to another

_____  Getting hung up on unnecessary details

_____  Socializing, engaging in idle conversation

_____  Playing cards, games, etc.

_____  Lacking self-discipline, not carrying through on plans

_____  Constantly switching priorities

_____  Failing to listen carefully to assigned tasks and having to redo what you have done

_____  Failing to do first things first

_____  Failing to use short blocks of time constructively

_____  Taking breaks too often

_____  Turning “breaks” into “vacations”

_____  Duplicating efforts (starting over many times, losing material, recording notes in a form that requires rewriting/transcribing)