Recently, we wrote a series of posts covering file management, including paper reduction, file organization, e-file setup and maintenance. The goal in having a finely tuned file system is to be able to easily find what you need, when you need it. That is efficiency.

Our next series of posts will discuss some of the most common time-wasting habits.

Wasting time means “to allow time to elapse in an unproductive manner.” But how do we tell whether something will be a waste of time?

I ask 3 questions when determining how to spend my time:

1. Does the activity I am saying yes to support my life goals?
2. Is it something I have to do, or something I choose to do?
3. How important is it to say ‘Yes’ to this activity?

Life is full of things we have to do. The ‘want to do’s’ are where we have the discretion to say no.

Every time we say ‘Yes’ to something we are saying an unwitting ‘No’ to something else, even if we are unaware of it at the time. Most humans have more to do than time to do it. Most humans are short on time. Because of this, time has become our currency.

Things come across our purview all the time – interesting things, fun things, exciting things. Each of these activities requires, at a minimum, time. When saying ‘Yes’ to something, consider whether that activity supports your life goals and whether it is important enough to spend your time on. If it is not, say ‘No.’ And then, stick to your ‘No’ and move on.

Saying ‘no’ to things that are less important allows you to focus on what is important.

Lisa Mark, C.P.O. is a productivity expert and Certified Professional Organizer. Contact Lisa if you would like to find out how she can formulate a plan to increase efficiency in your business.