HOW to avoid these 5 time wasters

There are many different ways in which people waste time. Some are quite evident, while others are hidden or not given much thought. Sometimes we do things just because well-meaning people suggest we do.  We fill our plates because we think that's what is expected of us.  Often, we spend time spinning our wheels on activities that take our focus away from the actual work because we believe that it's what's needed.  Adding in unnecessary time sucking activities can be detrimental to us achieving our ultimate goals. 
​
Let's take a look at the following top 5 time wasters and how to avoid them.

LEARN HOW TO LET GO

We waste a lot of time trying to accomplish certain tasks and get upset that things are not working. This can be lost hours that could be put somewhere else. It is great to try a certain project, however, there comes a certain point where you have to step back and look at the money and time you've invested and where it has gotten you, especially if it is an on-going project.

• Is it worth it?
  
• Does this project really look like it will ever get off the ground? 
  
• Does this project fall into the parameters of your master plan?
  
• Is it helping you reach your overall goals?
  

If the answer is no, drop it and cut your losses. While it may be hard, if it does not fit into your master plan, it's best to move on and take back your time for what does fit into the overall goal.

---

BE REALISTIC

We all want to be successful and happy. It is in our nature to be this way. We set goals and work hard to achieve them. Sometimes we just get carried away and set impossible goals for ourselves. It’s like being a high jumper and wanting to clear a bar that is set at pole vault height. Step back and re-adjust those goals to make them achievable. We gain hours back when we have goals that are difficult but definitely reachable, rather than struggling in the muck of the unnecessary. 

---

TAKE TIME FOR REVIEW AND ADJUSTMENT

By taking time each day to check-in with yourself and see what progress you've made, you will stay on top of your goals.  I set aside 15 minutes each day to review what I've done, make notes about what still needs to be done, and prepare for the next day.  By setting aside some time to review our work and our progress, we can avoid the pitfalls of weeks and months going by without review.

---

KEEP A NEAT WORK AREA

Are you pile happy? Many people waste time by endless piling papers, large envelopes and files on top of each other. By not putting stuff away as soon as you are done with it, you waste time sifting through piles looking for a certain letter. The same technique can be applied to your electronic files.  I set time aside at the end of each week to clean off my desktop icons, scan and file away paperwork, and organize content and other documents that have accumulated during the week.  Whether you use an electronic filing system or an actual file cabinet, taking some time each week to keep up with staying organized will ultimately help you gain time because you won't be searching for what you need. 

---

LIMIT YOUR TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Another huge time waster is updating social media with vanity posts and such. While everyone knows you are wonderful to look at, they really don’t need to see five selfies a day. How often are you posting what you ate, where you shopped, or some cute pic that has nothing to do with business? This is really valuable time during a work week that you can get back. Only do social media posting during the workday that has significant weight to it. For example, if posting a photo to Instagram about a new product release might bring you a ton of sales…take a moment and do it. 

Scheduling your social media shares ahead of time, using a social media scheduler or the platform itself, saves valuable time because you won't be tempted to stop and schedule each day.  It also helps you be much more consistent with scheduling, which is so important to the overall goals with social media.

---

By intentionally paying attention to these 5 time wasters, you can put a new routine into action that will ultimately help you gain precious time in your workday.

Need help with getting organized, accountability around your daily business action steps, or support with creating a schedule that works for you?  Let's talk.

---