Question 1

Fred, a retired bank officer, gets a job delivering pizza for the large pizza chain, Domino's. He is correct when he says to his grandchildren, "Finally, I have found a job where speed is not a factor in job performance."

Accepted Answer

Speed is an important factor in delivering pizzas, as customers expect their orders to arrive quickly and the restaurant may have a guaranteed delivery time. Thus, Fred's statement is false.

Question 2

To overcome procrastination, Jane jump-starts herself by ________.

Accepted Answer

Getting started on a small task can help overcome the initial resistance to starting a larger task. This can build momentum and increase motivation to continue working on the larger task. Consuming energy drinks or pricking oneself with a needle are ineffective and potentially harmful strategies. Composing a list of strengths and weaknesses may be helpful in some contexts, but it may not be enough to actually start working on the task at hand.

Question 3

A task is often procrastinated because it ________.

Accepted Answer

Tasks that do not offer immediate rewards are often put off because our brains are wired to seek instant gratification. If a task doesn't provide a sense of pleasure or accomplishment right away, we may be less motivated to start it.

Question 4

Developing a mission statement tends to lower productivity because a mission statement is too far removed from daily work activities.

Accepted Answer

Developing a clear and concise mission statement can actually increase productivity by providing a shared sense of purpose and direction for employees, as well as guiding decision-making and prioritization of tasks. While it may not always be directly tied to daily work activities, it can still serve as a guiding principle for how work is approached and executed.

Question 5

Melissa, age 28, is in charge of online sales for an office furniture maker. To keep her productivity at a high level, how much sleep do your recommend that she get?

Accepted Answer

According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults between the ages of 18 and 64 should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night for optimal health, performance, and productivity. Therefore, Melissa should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night to keep her productivity at a high level.

Question 6

Candy correctly calculates the cost of procrastination when she says, "If I am four days late in returning this rental car, it will costs me a penalty of $250. So, I'm going to return the car when it is due."

Accepted Answer

Candy understands the cost of procrastination, which is the penalty she would have to pay if she returns the rental car four days late. By deciding to return the car on time, she is avoiding that cost, which is a wise financial decision.

Question 7

Procrastination is so tempting because it ________.

Accepted Answer

Procrastination often leads to a short-term reward, such as temporary relief from stress or being able to engage in more enjoyable activities in the moment. However, in the long term, it can lead to negative consequences and reduced productivity.

Question 8

A potential disadvantage of being overly concerned about neatness (being a neat freak)is that ________.

Accepted Answer

Being overly concerned about neatness can lead to spending too much time on organizing and cleaning, which can take away from other important tasks and activities.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Good work habits can help a person stay organized and on top of their tasks, which can prevent them from feeling overwhelmed or stressed by a long to-do list. This can free up mental space for other important aspects of their personal life, such as relationships, hobbies, or self-care.

Question 10

The amount of quality work accomplished in relation to the resources consumed is the emphasis of work habits in the workplace today. This is referred to as ________.

Accepted Answer

The term that relates to the amount of quality work accomplished in relation to the resources consumed is productivity. While organization and time management are important habits, they focus more on the process of work rather than the output. Multitasking can actually be counterproductive and reduce overall productivity.

Question 11

A mission statement is likely to improve personal productivity because it ________.

Accepted Answer

A mission statement provides a clear direction and purpose, which can help a person prioritize their activities and make decisions that align with their goals. This clarity can lead to increased productivity and efficiency. Establishing specific items for a to-do list (B) and providing ethical guidelines (C) may also help with productivity, but are not the main benefit of a mission statement. Overcoming fear of success (D) is not directly related to productivity.

Question 12

A helpful perspective for many procrastinators is to keep in mind that the goal is to make some progress toward crossing the finish line.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A helpful perspective for many procrastinators is...

Question 13

A person is a true workaholic when he or she ________.

Accepted Answer

A true workaholic is not just someone who works long hours or brings work home frequently. It is someone who feels uncomfortable and uneasy when they are not working. They often have an unhealthy obsession with work and neglect other important aspects of their life such as family, friends, and hobbies. Establishing unrealistic goals may also be a sign of workaholism, but it is not necessarily the defining characteristic.

Question 14

The most frequent reason for employee discipline is ________.

Accepted Answer

Poor attendance and absenteeism is the most frequent reason for employee discipline as it affects work productivity and disrupts the workflow of the organization. Failure to prepare to-do lists or procrastinating about preparing reports are not significant enough to warrant disciplinary action, while office romance might be a concern depending on the company's policies, but it is not the most frequent reason for employee discipline.

Question 15

An important perspective for combatting procrastination is to remember that ________.

Accepted Answer

The key to combatting procrastination is to prioritize the goal of task accomplishment and focus on crossing the finish line, rather than getting bogged down in excuses or excessive work. Working steadily towards task completion, rather than succumbing to the temptation to delay or procrastinate, is the key to success. The option A is incorrect because a good excuse for being late with a project does not address the root cause of procrastination. Option D is also incorrect because anyone can succumb to procrastination regardless of the amount of work they do.

Question 16

Fear of success refers to the idea that people will sometimes procrastinate engaging in an activity that if successful, will lead to unwanted responsibilities.

Accepted Answer

Fear of success is a real phenomenon where people may avoid taking action towards their goals out of a fear that achieving them will come with added expectations and responsibilities.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Setting a specific deadline, such as "I will have this report to you by Friday," is more effective in minimizing procrastination than using vague language like "I hope to."

Question 18

Julia is a "neat freak." so she is likely to sometimes neglect accomplishing major tasks in her quest for cleanliness and order.

Accepted Answer

Julia's focus on cleanliness and order may cause her to prioritize minor tasks over major ones, leading to neglect of the latter.

Question 19

An important output from working smarter rather than harder is that you ________.

Accepted Answer

Working smarter involves using effective strategies, tools and techniques to achieve better results in less time. This means that by working smarter, you will accomplish more in the same amount of time, without necessarily working harder or longer. Avoiding procrastination, improving attendance and punctuality, or delegating work to others may all be useful techniques, but they are not necessarily the main output of working smarter.

Question 20

Judd was often late for class in high school and technical school, and he is now often late for work as an airplane repair technician. Judd should investigate whether he suffers from a lack of self-control.

Accepted Answer

Judd's consistent pattern of tardiness across different settings suggests that he may have difficulty with self-control, which could be explored further through self-reflection or consultation with a mental health professional.

Quiz 16: Developing Good Work Habits