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Why do People Overlook the 8 Biggest Time Wasters at Work

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How many times have you been yelled at for falling asleep during an assignment by your parents or teachers? The best way to distract others would have been to constantly tap your pencil or talk to a classmate. When I was growing up, we didn’t tolerate distractions from work. However, distractions are becoming more sophisticated as we age.

It’s easy to become distracted without even realizing it! It is a vicious game being played by distracted individuals. They are losing. What is worse is that these distractions are even more common at work. Our home training shouldn’t distract from one place, we were warned.

It was reported in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine that three out of four workers are distracted at work. A staggering 70-75%! The average employee spends just 3 hours doing actual work each day (out of 7-8 hours spent at work).

The first step toward breaking this habit is learning about the different types of time wasters. Below are eight of the most common time-wasters at work. Our goal is to help you regain your focus and productivity by picking the ones that are applicable to you.

What’s up with those time-wasters? Where do they come from?

People who waste time are, in the first place, people who waste time. We define time-wasting activities as anything that consumes your attention for a prolonged period of time but is not related to your work task. This is probably your assumption. “Surely, there must be too many distractions to be listed.”

You are right in what you say. It is true that there are many work-related activities that waste time. Article titles such as ’16 Time Wasters for Entrepreneurs’ or ’10 Distractions For Home Workers’ might be appropriate. But we’ll leave that for another day.

First, let’s examine the most common time wasters at work and the ways to discourage them from doing so.

What are the Biggest Time Wasters at Work

1. Email

Why is it such a time-waster?

Sending emails at work seems innocent enough, doesn’t it? Well, think again! A study found that business emails average 304 per worker per week. The average employee checks their email 36 times during a single hour.

Checking email takes employees approximately 16 minutes before they are able to focus on their work again. Consider that for a moment. Imagine having to refocus every 16 minutes on 36 different occasions a day. Take this and multiply it by 36 every hour.

Approximately four refocus sessions (four 16-minute sessions) occur each hour. You have wasted an entire hour by checking your email four times. You’re beginning to see the point of that 40% of actual work, aren’t you? It’s no coincidence that email is often called the single biggest waste of time.

What are your methods for overcoming it?

With ScreenRec, you can send video messages rather than typing, emailing, and checking your inbox. It’s easier and faster to speak your mind than to type a two-page letter. 

In the end, ScreenRec will save you time since you will not have to upload the video. The link to your recorded video will be automatically shared. To share this link, paste it into a text message, DM, or email. 

2. Too many meetings

Why is it such a time-waster?

The most common cause of productivity loss at work is meetings. According to one study, 92% of workers are distracted during meetings. A study of executives found that 67% of meetings fail.

When people do not pay attention to the topics discussed in meetings that are not relevant to them, meetings serve no purpose. The result is that employees are often excluded from discussions that provide important information.

Is there a way to overcome it?

You can use ScreenRec to resolve a new issue. Instead of holding meetings, make a video of the pertinent information and distribute it. This allows employees to watch videos at their convenience and get the information they need. The result is a higher level of productivity!

3. Decision Fatigue

Why does it waste so much time?

At work, we often experience decision fatigue. In a single day, you have to make a lot of decisions. As we age, we are more prone to make poor, thoughtless decisions. When we are tired, we tend to make irrational mistakes.

What is your strategy for overcoming it?

Ensure that small, unnecessary decisions are as few as possible. A good example would be deciding where to have lunch or what pen color to use. You will not only avoid decision fatigue by following these steps, but also save time that would otherwise be wasted.

By simplifying your life and organizing your workday, you will have more time for important tasks. Taking this into consideration will allow you to identify the decisions that waste your time. If you’re going to use a pen, pick a color for each day of the week. If you are going out for lunch every Monday, make a schedule for where you will eat.

Make a plan for how you’ll spend your morning making big decisions. Also, entrusting decision-making to colleagues who are better equipped to do so is crucial.

4. Online distractions and social networks

How Can It Be A Time Waster?

There’s no way around it. Quite honestly, social media and other online activities may be the primary distraction, whether at work or at home. Watching YouTube trending videos or scrolling through Facebook or Instagram posts, the time seems to pass quickly. The minute feels like it passed in an instant.

What is your strategy for overcoming it?

You have a variety of options at your disposal. While you can disable the app’s notifications, you can also turn it off completely. You must also refrain from visiting these websites and apps in addition to trying to block them.

Willpower and determination are all it takes. Try not to visit Facebook or get sucked into the world of Pinterest.

Planting trees can also be fun with Forest App if you want to avoid social media.

5. Multitasking

How Can It Be A Time Waster?

Fast-speed internet makes me dread working from home! It makes multitasking impossible. The Huffington Post article states that multitasking does not work.

This article explores the use of multitasking as a ploy to manipulate ourselves. It is easy to trick ourselves into believing that we are more productive when we take on more than one task at a time. That is not the case.

I think it would be a good idea to think of it as a buffet. You want to sample all the tasty foods available within a short period of time since there are so many to choose from. 

The more dishes you pile on your plate, the more likely you are to finish them faster because they are in front of you.

It does not make sense, however. Put all these different things on one plate, and you will not be able to eat any faster. By eating more in one sitting than you can enjoy, all you’ve accomplished is to eat more. You’ll spend less time eating all that food if you try a few dishes first.

Adding more than one task to the to-do list at the same time can be considered multitasking. It takes longer for everything to be completed, and you are never satisfied with the results.

What are your methods for overcoming it?

There is no point in fooling yourself. Make sure you complete every assignment you begin. By focusing your energy on one task, you’ll be able to finish it more quickly, and your execution will be better as well.

6. Socialization

What Makes It A Time Waster?

It is important to understand that socializing is healthy for our minds. On the other hand, socializing can be distracting as well. Imagine that you are trying to focus on your work when your coworker starts chatting with you.

Alternately, you may be dealing with coworkers who do not care about using their internal voices. While you need to concentrate, you may not be able to concentrate if people are taking a lot of phone calls around you. Distractions can make it difficult to focus on what you’re doing and waste valuable time.

How Do You Overcome It?

Set healthy boundaries to protect yourself from distractions. While I do not advocate completely isolating yourself, know when to work and when to play. When the surrounding noise becomes overwhelming, put on some earbuds and tune out the noise with some music. Stay in the zone as long as you can.

A pair of noise-canceling earbuds can help you completely silence the sounds in your office.

7. Lack of motivation and procrastination

How Can It Be A Time Waster?

Our procrastination can cause us to become distracted. How does this happen? It is possible to procrastinate when you lack motivation because you have no reason to drive your work ethic.

You may be bored and disinterested as a result. It is complacency that kills productivity as it breeds complacency.

How Do You Overcome It?

Do not lose sight of why you are doing what you are doing. People work and succeed for many reasons. Regardless of what motivates you, keep it in front of you as a constant source of inspiration. You will stay motivated to keep working hard if you keep your eyes on your goals or what drives you.

Make a list of the goals that are most important to you. It will help you stay motivated when you are lacking motivation.

8. Untidy Workplace

How Can It Be A Time Waster?

According to Christina Scalise, the queen of organization, procrastination fuels clutter.

Awkward! I don’t know how else to put it. Clutter builds up when things are left unfinished, and it gets pushed aside.

You need to be unproductive in order to create clutter, and clutter results in unproductivity. The many things surrounding you will distract you from concentrating on a particular task when your workspace is messy.

What are your methods for overcoming it?

Clean up the mess so you can focus on one task at a time. Finish your current assignment before starting another. This will prevent your workspace from being cluttered with non-urgent items.

Conclusion

The effects of lost time will also be felt by us, the employees. Our home lives get disorganized and unproductive when we are overworked and stressed at work.

On the other hand, healthy work habits and proper time management affect our lives just as much as bad work habits do. You may be able to maintain a simple and easy work-life and personal life if you work hard.

By removing time wasters, you can be more productive. Declutter your workspace and focus on one thing at a time. It will pay off in the long run. 

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Glossary

Glossary

Industry Glossary

A

An organization, made up of a network of healthcare providers that coordinate patient care and provide the full range of healthcare services for patients. Accumulation Period: A specified period during which a covered employee must accumulate eligible expenses to meet the plan’s deductible amount.
The percentage of benefit costs the health insurer expects to pay toward a health plan.  It is based on an average for a population or area, and may not necessarily reflect actual cost sharing
Maximum amount on which payment is based for covered health care services. This may be called “eligible expense,” “payment allowance” or “negotiated rate.” If your provider charges more than the allowed amount, you may have to pay the difference. (See Balance Billing.)
A request for your health insurer or plan to review a decision or a grievance again.

B

When a provider bills you for the difference between the provider’s charge and the allowed amount. For example, if the provider’s charge is $100 and the allowed amount is $70, the provider may bill you for the remaining $30. A preferred provider may not balance bill you for covered services.

C

 A corporate benefits plan where employees are permitted to choose among two or more benefits that consist of cash and certain qualified benefits. Cafeteria plans are also called flexible benefit plans, Flex plans or Section 125.
A plan on a calendar year runs from January 1 – December 31. Items like deductible, maximum out-of-pocket expense, etc. will reset every January 1.
Provision in major medical plans to avoid two deductibles applied to covered medical expenses when expenses are incurred toward the end of one calendar year and sickness or injury continues into the next year.
A health plan with limited benefits, a high deductible, and a generally lower premium.  Available to persons under 30, it provides coverage for unforeseen and expensive illness or injuries.
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985. COBRA permits eligible employees and beneficiaries to continue their health coverage for a period of time after it would normally terminate. The continuation of coverage requires the individual to pay a premium.  COBRA applies to groups of 20 or more people.
Your share of the costs of a covered health care service, calculated as a percent (for example, 20%) of the allowed amount for the service. You pay co-insurance plus any deductibles you owe. For example, if the health insurance or plan’s allowed amount for an office visit is $100 and you’ve met your deductible, your co-insurance payment of 20% would be $20. The health insurance or plan pays the rest of the allowed amount.
A plan on a contract year (also called benefit year) runs for any 12-month period within the year. Items like deductible, maximum out-of-pocket expense, etc. will reset at the plan’s renewal date. For example, ABC Company renews on July 1 every year. The deductible would start July 1 and end on June 30. The deductible would reset every July 1 for ABC Company members.
A process if an individual has two group health plans, the amount payable is divided between the plans so that the combined coverage amounts to, but does not exceed, 100 percent of the charges.
A fixed amount (for example, $15) you pay for a covered health care service, usually when you receive the service. The amount can vary by the type of covered health care service.
Stands for Current Procedural Terminology code and was designed by the American Medical Association as a method to communicate, by a five-digit number, specific medical care, and services. The numbering system covers the majority of recognized medical services a physician can provide and be reimbursed. The CPT code is used to report services on the claim form.

D

For persons with chronic conditions (diabetes, COPD, etc.) it is the coordination of care for the entire disease treatment process, including patient education, inpatient and outpatient care, preventive care, and acute care.
The amount you owe for health care services your health insurance or plan covers before your health insurance or plan begins to pay. For example, if your deductible is $1000, your plan won’t pay anything until you’ve met your $1000 deductible for covered health care services subject to the deductible. The deductible may not apply to all services.
Equipment and supplies ordered by a health care provider for everyday or extended use. Coverage for DME may include: oxygen equipment, wheelchairs, crutches or blood testing strips for diabetics.

E

Employers with 51 or more employees must offer affordable coverage to its full-time employees or pay a penalty.
An illness, injury, symptom or condition so serious that a reasonable person would seek care right away to avoid severe harm.
A set of 10 benefits including ambulatory patient services, emergency services, maternity and newborn care, hospitalization, mental health and substance use disorder services, prescription drugs, rehabilitative and habilitative services, laboratory services, pediatric services, and preventive care that must be included in a qualified health plan (QHP) for individuals and small groups.
General term for the online marketplace all states are required to have for individuals and small businesses. They serve as an Expedia or Orbitz for the health insurance market, where private insurers can offer health plans.  See also Health Insurance Marketplace and Small Business Health Options Program.

F

A list of prescription drugs covered by a prescription drug plan offering prescription drug benefits. Also called a drug list.
A tax-advantaged financial account that can be set up through a cafeteria plan of an employer that allows an employee to set aside a portion of earnings to pay for qualified medical expenses as established in the cafeteria plan. Money deducted from an employee’s pay into an FSA is not subject to payroll taxes.

G

A complaint that you communicate to your health insurer or plan.
A tax-advantaged financial account that can be set up through a cafeteria plan of an employer that allows an employee to set aside a portion of earnings to pay for qualified medical expenses as established in the cafeteria plan. Money deducted from an employee’s pay into an FSA is not subject to payroll taxes.

H

 A tax-advantaged medical savings account available to taxpayers enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). The funds contributed to an account are not subject to federal income tax at the time of deposit.
A tax-advantaged financial account that can be set up through a cafeteria plan of an employer that allows an employee to set aside a portion of earnings to pay for qualified medical expenses as established in the cafeteria plan. Money deducted from an employee’s pay into an FSA is not subject to payroll taxes.
Services to provide comfort and support for persons in the last stages of a terminal illness and their families.
Care in a hospital that requires admission as an inpatient and usually requires an overnight stay. An overnight stay for observation could be outpatient care.
Care in a hospital that usually doesn’t require an overnight stay.

I

The percent (for example, 20%) you pay of the allowed amount for covered health care services to providers who contract with your health insurance or plan. In-network co-insurance usually costs you less than out-of-network co-insurance.

M

Health care services or supplies needed to prevent, diagnose or treat an illness, injury, condition, disease or its symptoms and that meet accepted standards of medicine.
Program administered by the state’s Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) under The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Payments are made for approved healthcare services provided by hospitals, health agencies, and private practitioners for welfare recipients or persons whose income does not exceed maximum limits. Funds are derived on a state-federal shared basis.
A term used to describe the supplies and services provided to diagnose and treat a medical condition in accordance with the standards of good medical practice and the medical community.
Program administered by the state’s Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) under The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Payments are made for approved healthcare services provided by hospitals, health agencies, and private practitioners for welfare recipients or persons whose income does not exceed maximum limits. Funds are derived on a state-federal shared basis.
The federally financed hospital insurance system (part A) and supplementary medical insurance (Part B) for the aged created by the 1965 amendment to the Social Security Act.
A person eligible to receive, or receiving, benefits from an HMO or insurance policy. Includes both those who have enrolled or “subscribed,” and their eligible dependents.

N

The facilities, providers and suppliers your health insurer or plan has contracted with to provide health care services.
A provider who doesn’t have a contract with your health insurer or plan to provide services to you. You’ll pay more to see a non-preferred provider. Check your policy to see if you can go to all providers who have contracted with your health insurance or plan, or if your health insurance or plan has a “tiered” network and you must pay extra to see some providers.

O

The period (usually once a year) during which subscribers in a health plan may have an opportunity to select an alternative plan being offered to them; or a period when uninsured employees and their dependents may obtain coverage.
The percent (for example, 40%) you pay of the allowed amount for covered health care services to providers who do not contract with your health insurance or plan. Out- of-network co-insurance usually costs you more than in- network co-insurance.
The most you pay during a policy period (usually a year) before your health insurance or plan begins to pay 100% of the allowed amount. This limit never includes your premium, balance-billed charges or health care your health insurance or plan doesn’t cover. Some health insurance or plans don’t count all of your co-payments, deductibles, co-insurance payments, out-of-network payments or other expenses toward this limit.

P

A law with a series of statues that go into effect beginning March 23, 2010 aimed at increasing access to affordable healthcare for most Americans.  Health insurers, healthcare facilities, physicians, individuals, small and large businesses, Medicare, and Medicaid are all impacted by the law.
A health condition (except pregnancy) that was diagnosed and/or treated within six months prior to enrolling in a health plan.
A benefit your employer, union or other group sponsor provides to you to pay for your health care services.
A decision by your health insurer or plan that a health care service, treatment plan, prescription drug or durable medical equipment is medically necessary. Sometimes called prior authorization, prior approval or precertification. Your health insurance or plan may require preauthorization for certain services before you receive them, except in an emergency. Preauthorization isn’t a promise your health insurance or plan will cover the cost.
A provider who has a contract with your health insurer or plan to provide services to you at a discount. Check your policy to see if you can see all preferred providers or if your health insurance or plan has a “tiered” network and you must pay extra to see some providers. Your health insurance or plan may have preferred providers who are also “participating” providers. Participating providers also contract with your health insurer or plan, but the discount may not be as great, and you may have to pay more.
The amount that must be paid for your health insurance or plan. You and/or your employer usually pay it monthly, quarterly or yearly.
The amount paid for a medical service in a geographic area based on what providers in the area usually charge for the same or similar medical service. The UCR amount sometimes is used to determine the allowed amount.

R

Insurance obtained by a carrier from another company to protect itself against part or all the losses incurred in the process of honoring the claims of members or policyholders. Also referred to as “stop loss” insurance. The coverage may apply to an individual claim or to all claims during a specified period for an individual enrollee.
A financial arrangement that spreads the risk of utilization and cost among the participants generally the insurer, the hospitals, and the physicians. The pool may insure against unusually high utilization and costs. The pool may also provide incentives for controlling utilization and costs.
Deductibles paid under a previous plan that are applied to the deductibles of the current plan.

S

A completely non-insured or self-funded plan is one in which no insurance company or insurance plan collect premiums and assumes financial risk.  Employer groups use self-funded plans where they collect premiums from employees and pay the claims, but contract with an insurer to provide the administrative services.
The portion of the Exchange dedicated to small businesses with 2-50 employees. Businesses with 51-100 employees will be eligible to participate in the SHOP beginning January 1, 2016.

T

An organization that administers healthcare benefits, mostly for self-insured employers. Services may include claims review and claims processing.

U

The maximum amount an insurer will consider eligible for reimbursement under group health insurance plans. Charges are generally based on customary fees paid to providers with similar training and experience in a given geographic area.

V

Voluntary worksite benefits are one of the best ways to attract and retain high-quality employees in a competitive labor market. These are solutions that help employees in numerous ways, with very little (and in many cases zero) cost to the employer.

There are several types of voluntary worksite benefits than employers can offer, these include:

  • Accident insurance
  • Cancer insurance
  • Critical illness insurance
  • Hospital indemnity
  • Identity theft insurance
  • Legal services
  • Pet insurance
  • Retail discounts
  • Concierge services