Analyze how you spend your time using the checklist below. If you think the item is a big problem for you, score the item as a "2". If it's a moderate problem for you, give it a "1". If it's not much of a problem for you give it zero. Then total your score. [NOTE: This handout isn't finished--there's more to come....]

1. Planning: [Total score for the items in this category: _______ ]
• Not setting goals (____)
• No daily plan (____)
• Priorities unclear or changing (____)
• Don't set self-imposed deadlines (____)
• Attempting too much (____)
• Unrealistic time estimates (____)


2. Organizing: [Total score for the items in this category: _______ ]
• Scheduling problems (____)
• Can't find files/cluttered desk. (____)
• Duplication of effort (____)
• Confused responsibility and authority (____)
• Multiple bosses (____)


3. Directing: [Total score for the items in this category: _______ ]
• Doing it myself instead of delegating (____)
• Too much involvement in routine details (____)
• Ineffective delegation (____)
• Lack of motivation (____)
• Avoiding conflict (____)
• Not coping with change well (____)


4. Focus: [Total score for the items in this category: _______ ]
• Doing more than one thing at a time (____)
• Not finishing one task before going on to another (____)
• Day dreaming (____)
• Not taking a short break between tasks (____)
• Resistant to doing work-related tasks (bored or not interested) (____)


5. Controlling: [Total score for the items in this category: _______ ]
• Telephone interruptions (____)
• Drop-in-visitors (____)
• Lack of self-discipline (____)
• Too many interests (____)
• Making mistakes/ineffective performance (____)
• Inability to say "no" (____)
• No standards, progress reports (____)
• Getting incomplete information (____)


6. Communicating: [Total score for the items in this category: _______ ]
• Ineffective meetings (____)
• Ambiguous/unclear communication (____)
• Don't solicit feedback that what I said was understood (____)
• Not letting everyone know who needs to know (____)
• Failure to listen (____)
• Too much socializing (____)
• Gossiping (____)


7. Decision-making: [Total score for the items in this category: _______ ]
• Make snap decisions (____)
• Indecisive/procrastinator (____)
• Wanting too much information (____)
• Making decisions by committee (____)
• Not communicating decisions made (____)
• Not being told about about decisions that affect me (____)
• Perfectionism (____)

Now decide which of the following two general categories most of your time robbers fall into:

1. External time robbers: phone calls; drop-in-visitors; other factors over which you have limited control; or
2. Internal or self-generated time robbers: lack of self discipline; failure to delegate; cluttered desk; procrastination; or indecision.

What are you going to do differently as a result of this analysis?

 

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www.callipygia600.com

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