9 Deadly Culprits of Time Management
© 2012 Sue McMillin, With Time to Spare
"Time management" is not the real problem. You cannot manage time, nor can you save it, hoard it, or multiply it.  You can only spend time and learn how to spend it wisely. Eliminate the nine deadly culprits that prevent character development and hinder greater effectiveness in your job and life.
Culprit 1 → Packed Schedules
Culprits	Causes	Cures	Character
Doing too much in order to feel busy, but little accomplished.	Need to feel important	Focus on what matters most	Contentment
	Busyness
Culprit 2 → Procrastination
Culprits	Causes	Cures	Character
Putting off what needs to be done today until tomorrow	Fears failure	Break projects into steps	Decisiveness
	Fears rejection
	“If only” syndrome	Complete an easy task
Culprit 3 → Perfectionism
Culprits	Causes	Cures	Character
Unrealistic expectations of the “I can do it all” syndrome	Needs control	Strive for excellence not perfectionism	Endurance
	Sets goals too high
	Fears failure
Culprit 4 → Piles of Paperwork
Culprits	Causes	Cures	Character
Not processing paperwork and bottlenecking the flow of papers on your desk	Lacks training	Get instruction	Orderliness
	Belief that piles = work	Assign time each day
		Establish a system
Culprit 5 → Pendulum Mentality
Culprits	Causes	Cures	Character
Easily distracted and change direction midstream	Indecisive	Need mission statement	Dependability
	Lacks focus	Strive for closure
	Lacks planning	Finish what you start
Culprit 6 → Phone Interuptions
Culprits	Causes	Cures	Character
The phone controls my schedule and my day	Need to feel important	Develop standards	Cautiousness
	Fears rejection	Stand while on the phone
	Lacks clear goals	Answering machine off
Culprit 7 → Past Focused
Culprits	Causes	Cures	Character
“If only”, “what if”, dwelling on the past - “We’ve always done it this way”	Fears failure	Be willing to change	Flexibility
	Fears taking risks	Let go of the past
		Concentrate on what can be
Culprit 8 → Poor Planning
Culprits	Causes	Cures	Character
Being swayed by your every day circumstances. Letting circumstances control you.	Lacks focus	Focus on your mission	Determination
	Fears rejection	Align activities to mission
	Gives in to others	Schedule planning time
Culprit 9 → Performance Based
Culprits	Causes	Cures	Character
Desire to please others. “If I don’t do it, who will?”	Fears rejection	Diligently delegate	Humility
	Feels guilt	Nurture but don’t nag
Please note. These characteristics and definitions are from Bill Gothard’s “Character Sketches.”
1.    Contentment: Realizing everything I need for my present happiness has been provided.
2.    Decisiveness: The ability to finalize difficult decisions.
3.    Wisdom: Seeing and responding to life situations from the correct frame of reference.
4.    Endurance: The inward strength to withstand stress to accomplish the best.
5.    Orderliness: Preparing myself & my environment so that I will achieve the greatest efficiency.
6.    Dependability: Fulfilling what I consented to do even if it means unexpected sacrifice.
7.    Cautiousness: Knowing how important right timing is in accomplishing right actions.
8.    Flexibility: Not setting my affections on ideas or plans which may be changed by others.
9.    Determination: Purposing to accomplish my goals in time regardless of the opposition.
10.  Humility: Recognizing that others are responsible for the achievements of my life.