Time Wasters
Read through and identify the four items which you feel are most wasteful of your time. Feel free to
add one of two of your own if they have not been covered. Number your four major time wasters in
the right hand boxes.
1. Tiredness
2. Unexpected crisis situations for which no plans were possible
3. Lack of clear-cut objectives, priorities and task deadlines
4. Telephone interruptions/conversations with colleagues
5. Meetings (scheduled and unscheduled)
6. Incomplete or inaccurate information from people
7. Writing and replying to e-mails
8. Breakdowns in communication between yourself and colleagues
9. Indecision and putting things off
10. Visitors
11. Trying to do too many things at the same time
12. Lack of concentration
13. Need to consult too many people to obtain approval
14. Unsatisfactory meetings with supervisor – no useful outcomes
15. Unnecessary and time consuming tasks delegated by supervisor
16. Lack of motivation
17.
18.
19.
20.
Now that you have identified what you consider to the be most important time wasters, you need to
begin the process of developing a specific strategy to reduce their impact.
In the boxes below, write down the time wasters and opposite, ways of reducing their impact.
Time Waster
Method of reducing its impact