Answer the questions and work out your time management profile, then read the guidance points for ideas on how to make more effective use of your time.

This quiz features in Manage Your Time from the series of everywoman Simple Approach to Business guides.

How often do your tasks take longer than expected?

• a) Hardly ever
• b) Sometimes
• c) Regularly

How often do you clear out your desk and e-mails?

• a) Regularly
• b) Seldom
• c) Hardly ever

How would you rate your delegating skills?

• a) Good
• b) Average
• c) Poor

When you plan a meeting do you schedule in extra time in case it overruns?

• a) Always
• b) Sometimes
• c) Never

How often do you work late?

• a) Hardly ever
• b) Sometimes
• c) Almost always

How often do you make commitments that you can’t stick to?

• a) Hardly ever
• b) Sometimes
• c) Regularly

How often do you say ‘no’ when asked to do things you have no time for?

• a) Regularly
• b) Sometimes
• c) Hardly ever

When given a task, do you ask for a deadline?

• a) Always
• b) Sometimes
• c) Never

How often do you schedule in time for yourself?

• a) Every day
• b) Every week
• c) Never

How do you react when someone chases you for a project that you have put on the back burner?

• a) Explain why I had to prioritise other jobs.
• b) Feel guilty that it has been delayed and do it ASAP.
• c) Panic! I had almost forgotten about it.

How do you plan your daily tasks?

• a) I write out a daily schedule and stick to it.
• b) I make a list of the most important tasks and hope to remember the others.
• c) I tackle jobs as they come up.

What do you do when faced with many projects?

• a) Get on with the most important ones first.
• b) Choose the most interesting job and start on that.
• c) Start several tasks and continue with the easiest one.

How organised is your work space?

• a) Very. I know where everything is.
• b) Fairly. I have been known to lose things.
• c) Not at all. I don’t think about the state of my desk!

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Now add up your scores

a = 1
b =2
c = 3

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• 13–20: You manage your time well already, but remember to leave space for self-development, and time to switch off; it is possible you have become
over-efficient or inflexible! Chapter 6 gives you hints on managing your work/life balance. It is also important not to be too controlling; remember to delegate so others can develop their skills too as well as relieve the burden on you (chapter 3).

• 21–31: You have a reasonably balanced approach to your working life, but make sure your good intentions regarding time management come to fruition.
Conduct a ‘time audit’ (chapter 1) and avoid spending long hours at work as this will end up making you tired and less efficient. To make the best use of your day, manage the time you spend in meetings (chapter 4) and learn how to keep on top of the many e-mails that come your way (chapter 5).

• 32–39: You are at risk of becoming exhausted and doing a bad job because your time is being used so inefficiently. You need to make major changes in the
way you work. Do not underestimate how long tasks will take. Wishful thinking means nothing when you’re about to miss a deadline! Learn to manage both e-mails and information by reading chapters 2 and 5. Chapter 7 will help you develop decision-making skills so that you do not waste time procrastinating.

This quiz features in Manage Your Time from the series of everywoman Simple Approach to Business guides.