The top 7 ways you are wasting your time..
If you find it takes you much longer to complete projects or meet deadlines than your co-workers, you need to examine how you are spending your time, and consider you can become more efficient.
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You are holding yourself back if you do not think about how you can better manage your time, and how you can improve upon time wasting habits.
If you are not sure where and when you are losing time, here are a few common ways you could be wasting your time:
Disorganized
If you are spending time trying to find papers and people, not working on priority projects first and generally find yourself constantly trying to keep up with your co-workers, then you are disorganized, therefore wasting a lot of your time. Spend time organizing your desk, and start prioritizing your projects so you are on the same page as your colleagues. Invest some time now in getting organized, than constantly wasting time playing catch up.
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Procrastinating
Wasting time because you do not want to do something when you could have already completed the task with the time you've wasted is time you will never get back. Procrastinating is very common, but such a detriment to progress and efficiency. Whether it's because you simply do not want to do something or because you are scared, become someone who quick to face their fears and grind through their work. The sooner you begin the sooner you will be finished, and you will make a habit of getting all things done in an efficient manner.
Reading The News
It is so easy to get swept up in the 24/7 news cycle, and with all of the investigations and controversies of this administration the cycle feels inexhaustible. The news feels more like a reality tv show these days, and it is easy to not stop watching. So manage the time you spend reading the news, do not get sucked in. If you are on deadline, do not make the latest scandal the reason you miss it, there will be another scandal to follow so focus on your work.
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Social Media
The easiest and most common way to waste time is on social media. If you find yourself looking at your phone or checking your accounts when you have a tough moment or want to find a way to procrastinate, put your phone away so it is a chore to get it, and consider getting software that blocks social media sites like "Freedom" and "self-control." If you need to take a break find a productive, rejuvenating break, like a walk for some fresh air and a cup of tea instead of looking at social media.
Gossip
Talking about other people does nothing for you. You will not be better at your job or a better co-worker if you gossip about others. Spend your time more productively, and most any other way is more productive than gossip.
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Worrying
Worrying is a waste of good energy. If you are worried about something, take action so you do not worry about it. If it is out of your hands, then let it be and focus on other things. It is simply not productive to just sit and worry about things, apply that energy elsewhere.
Checking Email
You could spend the majority of your day answering, sending and checking emails. Designate certain times of your day for reading and writing emails, and leave your email alone outside those times unless it is urgent.
Guest Authored By Frances Bridges. Frances is a twentysomething freelance journalist, writer and blogger in New York City. She writes about everything Shes done wrong as a twentysomething woman there in the trenches. Take her advice at your own risk. Follow Frances on Twitter.
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"You are holding yourself back if you do not think about how you can better manage your time, and how you can improve upon time wasting habits.
Examine how you are spending your time, and consider you can become more efficient.." -FrancesBridges
Post Crafted By:Fred Hansen Pied Piper of Social Media Marketing at YourWorldBrand.com & CEO of Millennium 7 Publishing Co. in Salt Lake City, UT. where I work deep in the trenches of social media strategy, community management and trends. My interests include; online business educator, social media marketing, new marketing technology, skiing, hunting, fishing and The Rolling Stones..-Not necessarily in that order ;)
