Many people assess how hard they work by referring to the number of hours they work. Working the maximum number of hours or being the first into the office and the last to leave is, for some a macho badge of honour. In reality, in many cases, these are the least effective people. i know, I’ve done it. What’s the difference between being at work & working?
We looked at an earlier blog at the stupidity of “pulling an all nighter” Pulling An All Nighter and that’s why we have to distinguish between being at work and working.
When you are making a coffee or having a chat at the water cooler you are not working. If someone is surfing the web or texting their other half or the child minder then they are not working but they are “at work”.
I’m not saying that taking a break is a bad thing, in fact quite the opposite. Regular readers of this blog will know that I am a great fan of the effectiveness of the Pomodoro Technique Pomodoro Technique but let’s not con ourselves and others into thinking that being at work and working are the same thing.
Also we know that once someone has been working for more than 40 hours a week their productivity goes down and eventually goes backwards as they make mistakes.
Here’s a plan. If you are trying to assess your effectiveness then use a time booking app. Any one will do (I use ATracker). Allow yourself to book time against actual work and against two other categories:
Lost Time – time that you “lost” doing things such as making coffee, going to the loo etc.
Wasted Time – time that was actively wasted on things such as surfing the net or discussing the telly from last night or reworking something because it was not right the first time.
Then you can see the difference between the time you are actually working and the time you are at work.
If you are happy with that then fine. If, on the other hand you want to be at work less or you want to be more effective then you have the answer.
Good hunting for the wasted time.
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