Problem Possible remedies
■ Don’t hang on to papers in
your pending tray – clear it
daily
■ Set up a filing and retrieval
system which will enable you
to get at papers easily
■ Ensure that your PA keeps a
day book of correspondence as
a last resort method of turning
up papers
■ Keep a tidy desk.
MEETINGS
- Too much time spent in ■ If you set up the meeting:
meetings avoid regular meetings when
there is nothing that needs
saying regularly, review all the
meetings you hold and
eliminate as many as you can
■ Get yourself taken off
committees if your presence is
not essential or it someone else
is more appropriate
■ As chairperson: set limits for
the duration of meetings and
keep to them, cut out waffle
and repetition, allow
discussion but insist on
making progress, have a
logical agenda and stick to it
■ As a member: don’t waffle,
don’t talk for the sake of
talking, don’t waste time
scoring points or boosting
your ego.
TRAVELLING
- Too much time spent on ■ Use the phone or post
travelling ■ Send someone else
How to Manage Time 199
