I will make this one short and sweet for you all… How do you know when you are poorly managing your time? Well, poor time management shows up in many ways. Sometimes it shows up loud and clear, and sometimes it shows up in disguise. Are you subject to any of the symptoms below? If yes, don’t worry, you are not alone!

The following are some of the indicators of poor time management:

  • Constant rushing (e.g. between meetings or tasks)
  • Frequent delays (e.g. in attending meetings, meeting deadlines)
  • Low productivity, energy and motivation (e.g. “I can’t seem to get worked up about anything.”)
  • Frustration (e.g. “Oh, things just don’t seem to move ahead.”)
  • Impatience (e.g. “Where the hell is that information I’ve asked for?”)
  • Chronic vacillation between alternatives (e.g. “Whichever option I choose it is going to put me at a big disadvantage. I don’t know which way to go!”)
  • Difficulty setting and achieving goals (e.g. “I’m not sure what is expected of me.”)

Want to know why you have so little time?
I have bolded the ones that are most common and that are, in my opinion, silent killers:

• Management by crisis
• Lack of planning
• Incomplete information
• Personal disorganization
• Attempting too much
• Inability to Say No
• Responsibility unclear
• Ineffective delegation
• Inadequate staff & resources
• Buried in paperwork
• Poor communication
• Poorly organized meetings
• Leaving Tasks Unfinished
• Inadequate controls
• Lack of self-discipline
• Socializing
• Drop-in visitors
• Interruptions

Leap of the Week:
What will you say “NO” to this week? Better yet, WHO do you need to say NO to in the next 10 days? Remember that most regrets stem from having said YES. We rarely regret saying no. Saying NO to another is most often saying YES to ourselves.

Source of Inspiration: Handbook on Time Management Skills by The Center For Good Governance.