• Home
  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Contact Us
  • Login

Join In!

  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • twitter

Progressive Women's Leadership

Empowering. Supportive. Bold

EMPOWERING. SUPPORTIVE. BOLD.
  • Training
    • Career Development
    • Communication
    • Leadership
  • All-Access
  • Custom
  • eGuides
  • Blog
    • Leadership
    • Communication
    • Community
    • Life Balance
    • Gender Partnerships
    • Women in the World
  • Resources
    • Free Leadership E-Guides
    • Podcasts
You are here: Home / Leadership Skills / Time-suckers: Here’s what’s guilty of eating up your (and your team’s) time today

Time-suckers: Here’s what’s guilty of eating up your (and your team’s) time today

July 18, 2016 By Lynn Varacalli Cavanaugh

We’re guessing you already knew tech is a big distraction in the workplace. But what exactly causes the most distractions? Is it truly email, like most people believe? CareerBuilder recently did a survey to find out. 

And, like us, seeing it broken down means you know exactly where to watch with your team (and maybe even where to keep yourself in check).

So what’s the biggest offender when it comes to productivity-killers?

  1. Cell phone/texting (55%)

Coming in as the No. 1 time-sucker are cell phones and texting, with 55% of people pointing the finger at this distraction. Take a look around your desk – is your phone within eye contact? You aren’t alone. Over 82% of people keep their phone within their vision throughout the entire workday, according to a CareerBuilder study.

macbook

Before you think, Well I can see it but I don’t always use it, check out this statistic: Only 10% of people say their smartphone is decreasing their productivity, but 66% admit to checking their phone several times a day.

And though you may tell yourself your team is using their phone for work, odds are, they aren’t – 65% of workers don’t even have work email on their smartphones. So the chances of them using their phone for work purposes are slim.

  1. The Internet (41%)

Ah, the Internet. Sure it’s good for helping you do research …. it’s also great for browsing Facebook or your favorite website.

A whopping 41% of people lose precious productivity hours from it. Who can blame them? After all, most of us spend a majority of our days at our desks.

  1. Email (26%)

While you may have thought email was the top distractor, turns out it’s lower on the list.

However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a master of stealing your attention. The average worker spends nearly 30% of his or her day dedicated to email alone.

  1. Meetings (24%)

We know meetings aren’t related to technology – well, directly related. The same technologies that distract your worker’s at their desks – their phones, their computers, their emails – are now a part of everyday meetings. The new “must-haves” of every meeting seem to be: coffee/water, a pen, and a cell phone or laptop.

Whether you’re presenting or attending, constant pop-ups on your phone or laptop steal attention away from the presentation.

      Armed with the right info (100%)

Now that you know exactly what’s causing distractions in your office, you’ll be able to take preventative steps to bring it to a halt. Not only will it help keep everyone on track, but it’s another great opportunity to enhance your leadership skills.

 

Recommended For You

  • Why It Pays to Praise: 40 Ways to Say ‘Good Job’
  • Give Yourself a Leg Up: 4 Body Language Tips for Stronger NegotiationGive Yourself a Leg Up: 4 Body Language Tips for Stronger Negotiation
  • Capturing more Ws: 4 keys to coaching your employees to greater successCapturing more Ws: 4 keys to coaching your employees to greater success
  • How To Manage These 3 Difficult EmployeesHow To Manage These 3 Difficult Employees
  • Be A Better Leader: Understand What Your Employees Really DoBe A Better Leader: Understand What Your Employees Really Do
  • The Good Leader’s Guide to Turning Bad Meetings into Great OnesThe Good Leader’s Guide to Turning Bad Meetings into Great Ones
  • Demystifying Mentorship: Simple Steps to SuccessDemystifying Mentorship: Simple Steps to Success
  • Efficient Communication: How to Say More with LessEfficient Communication: How to Say More with Less

Filed Under: Leadership Skills Tagged With: Leadership Advice

About Lynn Varacalli Cavanaugh

“An important attribute of success is to be yourself. Never hide what makes you, you." -- Indra Nooyi, Chairman and CEO, PepsiCo

As editor-in-chief of Woman’s Own and American Woman magazines, I have championed the personal and professional development of women for years. I started my career unsure of my own path and abilities, but I always had a natural curiosity and an interest in words and writing. When selected to launch American Woman as editor-in-chief, after a string of editorial jobs, I was thrilled—and terrified at being responsible for a brand new venture. All I could do was my best, based on my instincts and years of experience. American Woman was a success, offering me things I hadn’t achieved before—the confidence to do public speaking and a journalism award (Exceptional Merit Media award from the National Women’s Political Caucus & Radcliffe College). I hope my insights, now as an editor for Progressive Women’s Leadership, will help you on your own journey to career success.

Looking to Make a Difference?

Join thousands of other leading women who have made the commitment to change.

GET MORE INFORMATION

KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST

Updates, discounts and content from Progressive Women’s Leadership straight to your inbox. Your information will never be sold or distributed.

Negotiating Skills: How to Ask for – and Get – What You Want | Course | Starts November 2nd

Popular Posts

  • Why It Pays to Praise: 40 Ways to Say ‘Good Job’
  • No More Gaps: Inspiring Different Generations to Work Together
  • Employees complaining about pay? How to respond – and keep morale high
  • Book Review: “That’s What She Said” by Joanne Lipman
  • 6 Tools for Handling Difficult Conversations
Progressive Women's Leadership

Training

  • Live Training
  • On-Demand Webinars
  • Custom Training

Blog Topics

  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Community
  • Life Balance
  • Gender Partnerships
  • Women in the World

Leadership E-Guides

 

Free Resources

  • Free Leadership E-Guides
  • Podcasts

Copyright © 2022 · Progressive Women's Leadership · Privacy Policy

WELCOME BACK!

Enter your username and password below to log in

Forget Your Username or Password?

Reset Password

Lost your password? Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.

Log In