5 Responses

1. My list of time-wasters
   1. meetings
   2. visitors who drop in
   3. poor communication
   4. ineffective delegation
   5. the inability to say “no”
   6. telephone interruptions
   7. trying to do too much at once
   8. lack of objectives and priorities
   9. confused responsibility and authority
   10. cluttered desk/personal disorganisation

2. Industrial Society 1992 Survey
   Hi Kirsten,
   If you let me have your e-mail address I can pass on the results to the 1992 Industrial Society Survey into time wasters for managers.
   Regards,
   Megan

3. Top Time wasters
   Hi Kirsten

   I have a list researched by Day-Timers who produce diary systems, they say it is based on world wide research. It covers 40 items spilt by categories like planning, organisation, staffing, communication etc. If you like it email me offline and I’ll send you the word doc.

   GB Bob

4. Let’s not forget email
   Eddie,
   Could you squeeze in one more? A modern list of time wasters must contain email — and probably (non-work related) surfing the web.

5. And my list is …
   I have a list of five ‘time thieves’ under which you can further define types, activities for evaluating their effects, strategies for minimising their effects etc:

   Thief 1 – Multiple handling
   Thief 2 – Distractions
   Thief 3 – Interruptions (including people, telephone calls, e-mails)
   Thief 4 – Crisis management
   Thief 5 – Procrastination

   Feel free to contact me if you would like more info