Deck 16: Developing Effective Work Habits

Question 1

What does Mike appear to be doing right from the standpoint of managing time?

Answer 1

There are two options for Paul:
• Acclimate to new work environment
• Make the work environment closer to the previous (quieter) one
The simplest piece of advice one could give to Paul is for him to invest in a pair of noise cancelling headphones. This way he can have his quiet space for his work, but can be accessible to his colleagues when collaborative efforts are required.
If he wants to avoid uninterrupted work time at his cubicle, he could also put up a polite sign requesting less interruption unless absolutely mandatory. He should also take the time to socialize with his colleagues during breaks, so that he doesn't create distance between him and them.

Question 2

What suggestions can you offer Mike to help him get his schedule more under control

Answer 2

PC's supervisor listened to his complaints and bluntly stated not much could be done. While his response was fair, and PC does need to learn how to adapt and solve his minor problems on his own, his supervisor could have done the following:
• Consulted with his supervisor about some workers not being able to work in a noticeably noisier environment.
• Requested funds to purchase headphones and cubicle signs for employees who are more productive in quieter atmospheres.
• Reminded PC that it is better to learn how to adapt than to complain, and offrered solutions to PC's distraction issues.

Question 3

In recent years, companies that sell desk planners and other time-management devices have experienced alltime peak demands for their products. What factors do you think are creating this boom?

Answer 3

The current job market is not only difficult to penetrate, but also difficult to sustain due to heavy competition and a surplus of skilled workers. For this reason employees are desperate to prove their worth by minimizing their procrastination and maximizing their productivity.
One way to maximize productivity is to have excellent time management skills. Thus explaining the recent peak demands for desk planners and other time management devices.

Question 4

What have you observed to be two of the most important areas for improvement in work habits and time management for students?

Question 5

Many tidy, well-organized workers never attain much in the way of career success. Which principle of work habits and time management described in this chapter might they be neglecting?

Question 6

How can preparing a personal mission statement help a person become better organized?

Question 7

Why might drastically reducing procrastination often increase a person's income substantially?

Question 8

When people learn that a person is self-employed, they often comment, "Oh, that's wonderful, you don't have to worry about time. You can play golf (or engage in some other activity) whenever you want." In what way does this statement misunderstand the importance of time management for the self-employed?

Question 9

When people learn that a person is self-employed, they often comment, "Oh, that's wonderful, you don't have to worry about time. You can play golf (or engage in some other activity) whenever you want." In what way does this statement misunderstand the importance of time management for the self-employed?

Question 10

A study described under the topic of boosting your energy provided negative results for the use of caffeinated beverages as energy boosters. Would this study deter you, or an energy-drink consumer you might know, to cut back energy drinks and instead focus on the meaning of work and relationships?

Question 11

In what ways has your use of information technology made you more productive?

Question 12

Give an example of how the principles and techniques of good work habits and personal productivity could be applied to a job search

Question 13

If you were Josie's supervisor, would you grant her "one more shot"? Why or why not?

Question 14

Why might Josie be procrastinating about becoming certified as a personal trainer?

Question 15

What advice can you offer Josie to help her control her procrastination?

Question 16

What time-management mistakes does Mike appear to be making?