People Management
Getting Time Wasters Under Control
A time waster is anything that keeps you from doing things that have more value and importance to you. They’re different for everyone. For some, a chat with a colleague might be a time waster; for others, it’s a chance to manage the stress of the day.
Identify your time wasters, then develop strategies for dealing with them. For example, instead of personally handling certain emergencies, set procedures in place for others to handle them or to prevent them in the future.
For each time waster, brainstorm strategies that match your personal style. That means, don’t commit yourself to making 10-minute call backs if you enjoy making personal contact in a relaxed manner. Instead, spend your energy on organising your thoughts before a call, so you complete all your business in one call and don’t need to make additional ones.
Experiment with the strategies you develop and keep the ones that are effective. Let your team know you’re working on managing time wasters and enlist their support. Remember though, only you can determine whether you are using your time wisely.
