Top 10 Time Management Mistakes

Mistake #1: Keeping too many things in your head - A common mistake is trying to use your memory to keep track of all the things you need to do and places you need to be.

Mistake #2: Doing whatever grabs your attention next - When you are done with your current task, how do you choose what to do next?

Mistake #3: Not spending enough time on your top priorities - If you find you are busy most of the day, but don't accomplish the things that really matter to you. you may be spending too much time on low priority items.

Mistake #4: Doing very efficiently that which need not be done at all - According to top management consultants this is one of the worst ways you can waste your time, particularly when you don't even realize you are doing it.

Mistake #5: Poor Planning - You've probably heard the saying "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail". Poor planning is one of the main reasons projects fail, fall behind schedule or miss their deadlines. Lack of planning leads to inadequate preparation, unexpected problems and poor execution.

Mistake #6: Working in a disorganized and distractive work environment - While you may not have too much control over your work environment, there are things that you can do to remove distractions and clutter from your desk.

Mistake #7: Attempting to do too much - In time management, the word 'overload' describes the condition of having too much work; more work than you can normally handle. Overload can be the result of external circumstances such as a big deadline, a coworker's resignation or a major crisis, but it is often self-inflicted.

Mistake #8: Always saying yes - Saying 'yes' to requests for your time is not always a bad practice. In fact better you are in managing your time and your projects, the more likely it is that you will be chosen to handle important tasks that need to be completed quickly with quality and care.

Mistake #9: Not managing your inflows - Workflow management is one of the aspects of knowledge work that traditional forms of time management have been unable to address adequately.

Mistake #10: Confusing activity with productivity - This final mistake is usually the result of a mismatch between the lower tactical levels of time management and the more strategic levels where goals, vision and purpose come into play.