Element E-Zine
Hidden Time Costs
Welcome to Element E-Zine! This week we’ll be discussing hidden time costs. What are hidden time costs and how do they affect my timetable? Read on…!
It is important to be able to estimate and calculate how long tasks will take you to do when creating your time management plan. In order to do this effectively, you will need to factor in time for miscellaneous related things that must be done, but that are commonly overlooked. Some of these include:
Preparation time: You need to take into account the time it takes for you to get yourself ready for the task, whether that is setting up your laptop, getting changed, gathering what you need, setting things up, or clearing your work table. Preparation time needs to be built into the duration of time that you estimate a task will take you to do.
Packing up time: You need to put everything away when you have completed your task. This is usually the opposite of preparation time, so you might need to pack up your laptop and materials, clean up the area. This time should be added on to your time estimation.
Thinking time: Some tasks may require you to brainstorm before you start the actual task. Some may require you to think about the best way to go about the task, or to think about what needs to be done. This time needs to be factored in.
Interruption time: If there is a chance you will be interrupted then this time also needs to be factored into your timetable. Interruptions may come in the form of phone calls, kids needing to be picked up from school or wanting help, or other miscellaneous interruptions. Try to add in the extra ‘time-padding’ so that a few interruptions will not affect your entire timetable.
Refreshment time: Time for breaks must be taken into account so that you are able to move around, breathe some fresh air, and stretch your muscles with the knowledge that it isn’t interrupting your timetable. You also need to factor in time for meals, snacks, drinks and toilet trips.
I hope you have a fantastic week,
Regards from Marryam
