top of page

Time is Money: Managing Visitors That Waste Your Time at Work.

Time is a precious and limited resource, and as such, we all need to use it judiciously. Unfortunately, some visitors can end up taking up much of our time, and in the process, disrupt our workday or business operations. Dealing with such people can be tricky, but it is necessary to create boundaries in order to preserve your time and work effectively. Here are some tips on how to deal with visitors who waste your time while visiting you at work.



1. Establish a clear visitor policy

Before inviting or receiving any visitor, ensure that they understand the purpose of the visit, the expected duration of stay, and the boundaries of the visit. Create clear guidelines stating what is acceptable and what is not.


2. Schedule appointments

To avoid having people show up unannounced and waste your time, schedule appointments in advance. Make it clear that you are only available to visitors who have an appointment.

3. Set boundaries

Make it clear what type of communication or visit is acceptable. Set limits on meeting duration and frequency. A situation where a visitor oversteps their time frame is one of the most common ways they can waste your day.


4. Avoid small talk

Though it's appropriate to offer visitors a welcome gesture, small talk usually wastes a lot of time. Get to the business at hand and end the conversation before it drifts beyond the scope, by stating that you have pressing responsibilities and other visitors waiting.


5. Guide the conversation

Take control of the conversation, be clear about the direction of the meeting, and have a defined agenda. Stay focused on the purpose of the meeting and guide the visitor to stay on-topic.


6. Be assertive

If small talk continues to prevent you from surging straight into what is essential, be firm while remaining polite and steer the conversation back to the purpose of the encounter.


7. Use your assistant

Designate someone to screen visitors, take messages, and divert unwanted visitors, and help avoid those who waste time.


8. Use technology

Encourage video calls or virtual meetings if possible instead of face to face visit that can consume much of your time.


9. Take charge of your schedule

Maintain a calendar, monitor your time and schedule your workday to minimize unplanned interruptions or visitors.


10. Guide them out the door

Politely end the meeting once the agreed-upon time frame has lapsed, by setting the tone for wrap-up, indicating another appointment or project that you need to attend to.


In conclusion, managing visitors who waste your time takes a thoughtful approach. Keeping a hold on time ensures that you stay productive, yet responsive to your visitors' needs. Implement these tips and take control of your work schedule to maintain high efficiency and maximum performance.


Comments


Housington

Powered by

Copyright © 2025 LTB Club - All Rights Reserved.

bottom of page