Analyse Your Time-Wasting: Part 1

The Human-Centred Workplace

Time-wasting and time management are usually examined as cause and solution of problems with productivity.

In self-help books and coaching manuals a common exercise is this:

Begin by asking yourself the question: ‘Why do I waste time?’
Now list all the reasons why you do.

Asking ‘Why?’ is about finding the cause but it’s the wrong question – at least to start with.

It’s also an extraordinarily difficult question to answer. Try it, if you like.

The ultimate object of such an exercise is to change time-wasting behaviours – that is, to find a solution. The trouble is, we can only change what we acknowledge and understand.

The first step to take, therefore, is to identify and understand our time-wasting behaviours.

In search of lost time

We need to know what time-wasting behaviour looks like. The most useful thing to do is to examine the range of ways in which we waste time.

Other questions, including ‘Why?’ can be tasks for later.

How do I waste time? Let me count the ways

Before reading on, think about this question for a moment or two:
‘How do I waste time?’