Effectiveness and efficiency are complementary concepts both of which are required for a comprehensive view of time management. In the chapters so far, we have explored effectiveness. This chapter gave us an overview of efficiency. This chapter only covered a few efficiency tactics. It is beyond the scope of this book to cover efficiency in greater depth.

The first concept is to avoid the usual time wasters. These are the normal obstacles to productivity and efficiency. The chapter lists 30 such obstacles. The second concept is to be efficient through organization and preparedness. By bringing together the right people and necessary materials to the right place, and by acquiring required information, the action will flow better. The third concept is to manage unexpected problems by solving the immediate problem and buying time to find the best solution.

The fourth concept is to avoid or management interruptions. Interruptions are inevitable but their impact does not have to be inevitable...