JimBJim Bouchard is author and founder of Dynamic Components of Personal Power, and the founder of Northern Chi Martial Arts Centers. Jim combines his experience as a professional martial artist, entrepreneur and speaker to share his philosophy on power for personal and professional success.
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Why do people waste time at work?
Jun 18, 2009 11:38 AM
Categories: Management Town: Brunswick
That's the $5,700 question! According to an extensive survey by Salary.com the average American worker is wasting 2.09 hours a day; that means about $5,700 a year in wasted wages per employee. By any accounting measure, that sucks!
Where’s the time going? The Top 5 answers include:
That’s right, “spacing out” is the number 5 time waster at work!
Why?
The number one reason given for wasting time at work is simply not having enough work to do. Next is the perception of being underpaid for the job followed by allowing other workers to distract you.
Not enough work to do? What’s up with that one? Should most American companies simply put more people on the street? Assuming this is an accurate reason for wasting time, what can be done to fill this perceived void in the work day that would benefit both the employee and the company?
The most important concept in Black Belt Mindset ™ is:
“Perfection is not a destination, but a never-ending process!”
Personal and professional development is a key component in productivity, innovation and job satisfaction. Provide opportunities for employees to fill wasted time with developmental programs and resources. Invite speakers and trainers, develop in-house mentoring and utilize on-line and self-directed programs to help employees grow personally and professionally.
Let’s do a little “Bizjutsu! ™” The first secret of the martial arts is practice. The second secret is more practice! Encourage employees to perfect job skills through interactive practice sessions. This is especially productive in sales, mentoring and leadership areas. Wasted time could also be directed toward peer mentoring, cross-training and innovation brainstorming sessions.
What if some of this wasted time was simply translated to wellness and personal development programs? Wellness programs reduce sick time, lower insurance premiums and claims and improve job performance. Personal development opportunities engender loyalty, strengthen team morale and develop talents and abilities that increase job performance.
The pro-active employer can do a lot to reduce wasted time. Still, if you’re an employee it’s ultimately your responsibility to use your time properly on the job! First of all, you are the only person responsible for your personal success & happiness. If you feel you’re underpaid, then get a better job! If you’ve honestly outgrown your position, look somewhere else; on your own time! If your employer is paying you an agreed upon wage you’re not underpaid. You accepted the deal. If you’re worth more; prove it! If you’re truly giving value beyond your compensation you will have no problem earning a good recommendation for your next position whether that happens with your current employer or somewhere else.
You don’t need to wait for a corporate program to develop your talents and abilities. Use down time to improve yourself. If you don’t really don’t have enough work to do, ask your supervisor to allow you to utilize wasted time for professional development.
Letting other workers distract you? You need to invest some time to develop Black Belt Mindset ™! Get my first book: Dynamic Components of Personal POWER and study the section on “Focus!” Every minute on the job is valuable in creating your personal vision of success and happiness. Why let someone else screw it up for you? Learn how to apply focus to reduce distractions and improve your personal power, productivity and value.
There is one more alternative: start your own business. I guarantee you’ll have an entirely new appreciation for the value of time on the job!
Communication between employers and employees can eliminate most of this lost and wasted time on the job. Find out specifically why people waste time in your organization and channel that wasted time to productive ends. The potential savings are immense; the potential for increased productivity and profitability is exponential. One study showed that an investing in an engaged workplace culture can increase productivity by more than 700% over companies who ignore or refuse to invest in employee engagement and motivation.
What’s needed is simply a culture that encourages focus, discipline and constant attention to self-perfection at all levels. That’s Black Belt Mindset ™!
Good news for Maine…According to the Salary.com survey Maine ranks 34th in wasted time at 1.8 hours per employee workday. This is one list where you don’t want to rank near the top! The bad news is that Maine still loses 2.4 billion dollars a year to wasted time on the job.
Jim Bouchard is America's Black Belt POWERVATOR...Speaker, coach & author of Dynamic Components of Personal POWER! Jim is in Maine for two early morning seminars on June 23rd at Western Maine University: Presentation skills for business and business social networking for profit. Click here for details & registration!
Where’s the time going? The Top 5 answers include:
- Personal web surfing
- Socializing
- Conducting personal business at work
- Spacing out!
That’s right, “spacing out” is the number 5 time waster at work!
Why?
The number one reason given for wasting time at work is simply not having enough work to do. Next is the perception of being underpaid for the job followed by allowing other workers to distract you.
Not enough work to do? What’s up with that one? Should most American companies simply put more people on the street? Assuming this is an accurate reason for wasting time, what can be done to fill this perceived void in the work day that would benefit both the employee and the company?
The most important concept in Black Belt Mindset ™ is:
“Perfection is not a destination, but a never-ending process!”
Personal and professional development is a key component in productivity, innovation and job satisfaction. Provide opportunities for employees to fill wasted time with developmental programs and resources. Invite speakers and trainers, develop in-house mentoring and utilize on-line and self-directed programs to help employees grow personally and professionally.
Let’s do a little “Bizjutsu! ™” The first secret of the martial arts is practice. The second secret is more practice! Encourage employees to perfect job skills through interactive practice sessions. This is especially productive in sales, mentoring and leadership areas. Wasted time could also be directed toward peer mentoring, cross-training and innovation brainstorming sessions.
What if some of this wasted time was simply translated to wellness and personal development programs? Wellness programs reduce sick time, lower insurance premiums and claims and improve job performance. Personal development opportunities engender loyalty, strengthen team morale and develop talents and abilities that increase job performance.
The pro-active employer can do a lot to reduce wasted time. Still, if you’re an employee it’s ultimately your responsibility to use your time properly on the job! First of all, you are the only person responsible for your personal success & happiness. If you feel you’re underpaid, then get a better job! If you’ve honestly outgrown your position, look somewhere else; on your own time! If your employer is paying you an agreed upon wage you’re not underpaid. You accepted the deal. If you’re worth more; prove it! If you’re truly giving value beyond your compensation you will have no problem earning a good recommendation for your next position whether that happens with your current employer or somewhere else.
You don’t need to wait for a corporate program to develop your talents and abilities. Use down time to improve yourself. If you don’t really don’t have enough work to do, ask your supervisor to allow you to utilize wasted time for professional development.
Letting other workers distract you? You need to invest some time to develop Black Belt Mindset ™! Get my first book: Dynamic Components of Personal POWER and study the section on “Focus!” Every minute on the job is valuable in creating your personal vision of success and happiness. Why let someone else screw it up for you? Learn how to apply focus to reduce distractions and improve your personal power, productivity and value.
There is one more alternative: start your own business. I guarantee you’ll have an entirely new appreciation for the value of time on the job!
Communication between employers and employees can eliminate most of this lost and wasted time on the job. Find out specifically why people waste time in your organization and channel that wasted time to productive ends. The potential savings are immense; the potential for increased productivity and profitability is exponential. One study showed that an investing in an engaged workplace culture can increase productivity by more than 700% over companies who ignore or refuse to invest in employee engagement and motivation.
What’s needed is simply a culture that encourages focus, discipline and constant attention to self-perfection at all levels. That’s Black Belt Mindset ™!
Good news for Maine…According to the Salary.com survey Maine ranks 34th in wasted time at 1.8 hours per employee workday. This is one list where you don’t want to rank near the top! The bad news is that Maine still loses 2.4 billion dollars a year to wasted time on the job.
Jim Bouchard is America's Black Belt POWERVATOR...Speaker, coach & author of Dynamic Components of Personal POWER! Jim is in Maine for two early morning seminars on June 23rd at Western Maine University: Presentation skills for business and business social networking for profit. Click here for details & registration!
BangorBiz says,
I absolutely HATE being bored at work. Luckily for me that rarely happens...but not everyone is so lucky. My first job was a receptionist. I had nothing to do a lot of the time and I couldn't leave my desk because it was my job to answer the phone. This was before facebook, myspace, twitter, etc. I drew a lot and bought stuff online. I sent a lot of emails and counted the minutes until I was free to leave. I lasted there only 6 months. I wasn't being used to my potential!
I'm the type of person who can always find something to do as well...which helps with combating boredom. If people are urged to take initiative and given praise (a pat on the back or a simple thank you suffices) when they do so they may feel more inclined. I know I am!
Jun 22, 2009 03:16 PM
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