1. Second Guess Decisions
Few decisions cannot be changed later if needed. Better to take action that wallow in inaction.
2. Waste Time at the Proverbial Water-cooler
Some people waste a large percentage of their day "chatting it up" in the workplace. Instead, get your work done, and get out.
3. Check Email 50 Times
I love it when someone asks, "Did you get my email?" Um, when did you send it? "Like 10 minutes ago。" No. No, I didn't. Check email periodically when it makes sense in your schedule. And turn off those new mail dings and notifications.
4. Answer the Phone
I won't answer the phone while in the middle of something, meeting with someone else, or especially if I don't know who is calling.
5. Wait For the Perfect Plan
A good plan now, always beats a perfect plan next week. Circumstances are never going to be perfect. Don't wait.
6. Attend Unnecessary Meetings
Meetings are the single biggest time-waster in the workplace. Practice the "right to decline" when you do not need to be in attendance.
7. Work During Meetings
I will check my tech at the door during meetings. No open laptops. No phones or tablets. And no, you can't work during my meeting either.
8. Put It Off
When it comes to the tasks I don't want to do, I will adopt a "Just Do It Now" attitude. Do those unsavory tasks early in the day and get them out-of-the-way.
9. Take On Unnecessary Tasks
I will say "No" where appropriate to tasks that are outside my domain. After all, you can't get your work done if you are doing everyone else's job.
10. Start Before I Finish
I will complete tasks to done, before starting new ones. Better to have finished the few important ones, that to have started lots of little ones.