Wasting time at work often happens when otherwise good employees invest too much energy into certain tasks. These things aren’t bad to do but should not be top priorities.
I’m reminded of a nearly empty peanut butter jar. I’m the type of person who will try to scrape out the last bits of peanut butter with a knife. But at a certain point, the exercise becomes questionable.
Yes, I can still see more peanut butter in the jar but it’s a relatively small amount and will take a lot of time and energy to remove. At this point, I need to put the jar down and back away! I must remember it’s okay to leave a fraction of a cent of peanut butter in the jar.
On the job, are there tasks that are like scraping the jar? While you need to do them or like doing them, are you investing more time than necessary?
This is an important time management realization because less essential tasks may be taking up too much of your day, which takes time away from your big picture goals.
When it comes to wasting time at work, consider how much time you’re spending on these things:
Checking Email
While it’s good to be on top of your inbox, are you spending too much time checking your email? For a couple of days, track the number of times you either check your email or immediately click on an incoming message. Also, note whether this distraction was worth stopping what you were doing.
I think you’ll find, in most cases, the message or your inbox did not require such a high level of attention.
Now think about how much time, every day, you want to spend on this task. Once an hour may be all you need.
Coworker Chatting
I’m a social person and I like talking to people about their lives outside of work. But there’s a difference between a two minute conversation and a thirty minute chat.
Be mindful of how much time you’re spending on non-work related conversations. Maybe it’s something better discussed at lunch or during a time when you both can perform menial but necessary tasks.
Remember, you weren’t hired for your ability to chat.
The Outside World
You may want to create some boundaries between your work day and the outside world. Much like checking your email constantly, are you frequently cruising the Internet for the latest sports scores and news items? Can you reduce the number of times you’re going online?
Sometimes family matters can enter the workplace. While you may want to get a call from your child, when he or she gets home from school, you may need to avoid getting into a long discussion about your day. That can come later.
Wasting Time at Work: The Big Picture
None of these things are bad on their own but you need to make adjustments if they are taking up too much of your day. When you cheat yourself out of time, the workday tends to blur and you end up having to stay late or work on the weekend.
Some strategic changes to your schedule can give you the extra time you need, so you can work effectively and go home on time. Beware of your peanut butter jar tasks.
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