Where Did the Time Go?! 10 Ways to Stop Wasting Time

by Shopify API November 30, 2020

Kristin Schultz

It’s happened to all of us. We get into work, fire up the computer, pour a cup of coffee, and the next thing we know, three hours have passed and we’ve gotten exactly nothing done. Where did the time go? What have I been doing? How will I get back on track and get something accomplished today?

Despite our best efforts, time can slip away quickly leaving us feeling panicked and stressed. By identifying and avoiding some of the biggest time wasters, we can have more time to do the important work of sharing the Gospel! So here they are—the top 10 time wasters and a few ways to remedy them.

Not knowing yourself. Sure, Dolly Parton may have worked nine to five, but is that your best work schedule? If you don’t know already, experiment to figure out what part of the day is your most productive. Are you at your best first thing in the morning or do you do your best work in the afternoon? Find out when you are at your peak, and schedule your tasks accordingly.
Trying to multitask. The truth is that you can do one thing at a time. Well, you may be able to do more than one thing at a time, but that usually does not produce the best result. And what’s worse, you may make mistakes and actually have to do something over. To get the most out of your time, do one thing from start to finish before moving on to the next thing.
Not having a schedule. Take a minute at the end of your day to sketch out an outline of the next day. Sure, emergencies come up, and it’s not possible to stick to a schedule 100 percent of the time, but by having an idea of what you need to accomplish, you’ll start the day with a manageable plan.
Having an open-door policy. You want people to know they can talk to you anytime. But it’s essential to have boundaries. Constant interruption means that you’re dealing with everyone else’s work and not your own. Have an open-door policy but closed-door hours. During your closed-door time, focus on the one or two things that need your full attention. (Here’s a great idea from the business world that can be adapted for your ministry setting.)
Attending all the meetings. Meetings, while valuable, are a huge time-suck and it can be difficult to refocus after a meeting. Evaluate the meetings on your schedule and see if there are some that are currently scheduled during your most productive hours. Move those meetings immediately. Also consider: Could a weekly meeting be changed to a bi-weekly meeting? Are you in meetings you don’t need to be?
Inefficient travel. Your role may mean that you travel to see the sick or attend community events. Make the most of your time out of the office by doing more than one thing while you’re out. Instead of visiting one shut-in, see if you can schedule two or three in an afternoon. On your way back from a morning meeting, schedule a coffee or lunch meeting. If you’re able, take care of personal responsibilities while you’re out. Have a 9 a.m. meeting? Schedule that dentist appointment for 8 a.m. On your way back to the office? Stop at the store and pick up the toothpaste you forgot you needed.
Providing an instant response. Do you check your phone every time you hear it ding? Being a slave to your phone is a huge waste of time. The same applies to the ding coming from your computer. Do you reply to every email within three minutes of it hitting your inbox? Do you drop what you’re doing to respond to a nonemergency request? Generally speaking, no one needs an instant response. When you’re working on something important or need to complete a task, turn your phone and email notifications off.
Getting stuck on social media. Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or YouTube, the internet and social media are the black holes of efficiency. We all need a mental break from time to time, but make sure you set an alarm to remind yourself to stop scrolling and move on with your day.
Going down the research rabbit hole. The internet has answers to just about any question, but how many times have you been looking for one thing or one idea only to find yourself watching videos of Peeps candy exploding in the microwave? You can’t always pinpoint when you fell into the rabbit hole, but once you know you’re there, step away and start over.
Earbud distractions. Some people can work well when listening to music or podcasts, but sometimes a song or segment or episode is just so good you actually stop what you’re doing to pay closer attention. If you find yourself doing that, it may be time to shut it off and listen later.

The external links included in this article are provided for informational purposes only. CTA makes every effort to ensure the information included in these links is accurate and relevant; however, CTA cannot guarantee the content, nor does CTA endorse any of the products or services offered on the external sites.