Deck 15: Developing Good Work Habits

Question 1

A leading task that is used in the anti-procrastination technique is to:

A) calculate the cost of procrastination.
B) make a commitment to other people.
C) create some momentum to get you going.
D) peck away at an overwhelming task.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Working smarter, not harder, refers to:

A) getting ample rest and relaxation.
B) doing one's work in a more imaginative way.
C) doing intellectual rather than physical work.
D) getting rid of time-consuming tasks.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

"Counterattack" is a method of fighting procrastination through:

A) rewarding yourself for starting the task.
B) punishing yourself for avoiding the task.
C) forcing yourself to do something uncomfortable.
D) pecking away at an overwhelming task.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

An important reason for working rapidly on the job is that:

A) working rapidly usually eliminates errors.
B) planning is less important when your work rapidly.
C) quantity is more important than quality.
D) speed usually gives your company a competitive advantage.

Question 5

The tactic "become self-employed psychologically" refers to:

A) making the same good use of time as a business owner.
B) buying stock in your own company so you won't squander money.
C) dreaming about owning your own business so you will work hard to save time and money.
D) determining how much your contribution is worth to the company.

Question 6

To jump-start yourself with respect to overcoming procrastination:

A) get started on a tiny assignment.
B) ingest a heavy dose of caffeine.
C) imagine that you will be fired for delaying a project.
D) don't sit down until the task is half completed.

Question 7

Which one of the following statements made by a worker is the most likely to help him or her overcome procrastination on a particular project?

A) "I've been thinking about having the report finished by Friday."
B) "I will have my report on your desk by Friday morning."
C) "I would like to have my report finished by Friday."
D) 'What is the latest date you can use this report?"

Question 8

A person is a true workaholic when he or she:

A) works an average of at least 60 hours per week.
B) finds not working to be an uncomfortable experience.
C) brings work home at least four nights per week.
D) establishes unrealistic goals.

Question 9

Following the WIFO principle means:

A) doing the most distasteful task first.
B) taking a break before tackling the most demanding tasks.
C) doing the small tasks first.
D) express more positive attitudes towards your work.

Question 10

A recommended method of time management is to tackle distasteful tasks:

A) while well rested.
B) while fatigued.
C) first.
D) last.

Question 11

Procrastination refers to putting off doing work for:

A) any reason.
B) no valid reason.
C) three weeks or longer.
D) three months or longer.

Question 12

As a result of reengineering, work processes are:

A) radically redesigned and simplified.
B) turned over to outside companies.
C) made much more complex.
D) controlled by computer programs.

Question 13

To achieve breakthrough accomplishments, use the tactic:

A) work at a steady pace.
B) emphasize doing important tasks.
C) schedule similar tasks together.
D) identify and plug time leaks.

Question 14

A task is often procrastinated because it:

A) is too exciting to begin.
B) turns control over to the person performing the task.
C) does not appear to offer an immediate reward.
D) appears so easy that it can be done anytime.

Question 15

The purpose of Create Some Quiet, Uninterrupted Time is to:

A) make best use of your peak energy period.
B) decrease time spent on paperwork.
C) skim over details of written communication.
D) engage in essential activities as thinking, planning, getting organized, doing analytical work, writing reports, and doing creative tasks..

Question 16

The most frequent reason for employee discipline is:

A) failure to prepare "to do" lists.
B) procrastination about preparing reports.
C) poor attendance and absenteeism.
D) office romances.

Question 17

Goals improve time management because they:

A) help you concentrate on one task at a time.
B) lead to neatness and orderliness.
C) help you avoid perfectionism.
D) propel you toward good use of time.

Question 18

Which one of the following factors is the least likely to be considered part of work habits?

A) organization of work.
B) handling of paperwork and e-mail.
C) priority setting.
D) aptitude and intelligence.

Question 19

Fear of success may lead to procrastination because the individual:

A) spends too much time figuring out how to fail.
B) calculates the price of success.
C) calculates the price of failure.
D) does not want to take on more responsibility.

Question 20

A recommended way of fighting procrastination is to:

A) wait before tackling the problems.
B) calculate its cost.
C) overload your work schedule.
D) practise relaxation techniques.

Question 21

If a corporate employee can develop the mental set of being self-employed, his or her work habits and time management are likely to improve.

Question 22

A recommended way to jump-start a project is to perform a leading task.

Question 23

Concentration on the task at hand helps reduce absent-mindedness.

Question 24

A person who is frequently late or absent is likely to be perceived as being emotionally immature by managers.

Question 25

Working slowly and methodically to minimize errors is now considered to give a company a competitive advantage.

Question 26

A major reason that good work habits improve personal life is that they help prevent a person from being preoccupied with unfinished tasks.

Question 27

The perfectionist type of workaholic is fun to work with because he or she readily turns over the control of projects to others.

Question 28

A non-productive attitude to maintain is that overwork can be counterproductive and lead to negative stress and burnout.

Question 29

Streamlining work is a way of adding tasks to a work process yet not increasing the amount of time needed to do the entire task.

Question 30

A strong work ethic may lead to even higher productivity than goal setting alone.

Question 31

The following statement would probably help an individual minimize procrastination on a report: "I hope to have this report to you by Friday."

Question 32

According to a survey, a major productivity drain of information technology is that:

A) employees are stealing trade secrets over the Internet.
B) many workers surf the Internet on company time.
C) people rush home to get on the Internet.
D) photocopying machines keep jamming.

Question 33

Placing a high value on one's time can improve work habits and time management.

Question 34

The best time to devote to paperwork and e-mail is when you:

A) are almost too tired to stay awake.
B) feel you are at peak efficiency.
C) are not at your highest energy level.
D) feel you have a winning streak going.

Question 35

Unless you handle paperwork and email efficiently, you may lose control of your job or home life, which could lead to heavy stress.

Question 36

In most jobs, working at a steady clip pays dividends in efficiency.

Question 37

A truly productive person makes good use of ___________

A) creativity blocks.
B) moments of peak performance.
C) planning errors.
D) miscellaneous bits of time.

Question 38

Procrastination refers to putting off doing a task for any reason at all.

Question 39

Putting your "to do" lists on slips of paper is still considered to be the ideal way to keep track of tasks to be accomplished.

Question 40

You are better off getting your work day off to a slow start because this gives you a relaxed, fresh approach.

Question 41

A recommended approach to taking care of items in the in-basket is to handle each request or piece of correspondence in the order in which it was received.

Question 42

Spending too much time on a task or project wastes time.

Question 43

If you get rid of work that is of little consequence, you will have more time to concentrate on value-contributing tasks.

Question 44

Visualization is a recommended technique for remembering where you put things.

Question 45

Effective people have a well-developed capacity to concentrate on the problem or person facing them; however surrounded they are with potential distractions.

Question 46

Working in spurts is highly recommended as a time-management technique.

Question 47

Unproductive users of computers suffer a productivity drain because he or she avoids using the computer.

Question 48

Internet surfing for matters unrelated to the job itself has surprisingly proved to be a productivity booster for many companies.