University of Minnesota - UMN Executive Leadership Insights
The Time Trap
Book

The Time Trap

The Classic Book on Time Management

Alec MacKenzie
AMACOM, 1997
First Edition: 1991
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Editorial Rating

9

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Recommendation

Author Alec MacKenzie has updated the mother of all time-management books, which first hit the shelves in 1972. Despite the fact that time management has become a multi-million-dollar industry since this title was originally published, The Time Trap still stands as one of the most effective guides to getting it together. Why? Because MacKenzie tells you flat out what the problem is: You. He doesn’t offer sympathy, create excuses or complain about how modern technology has put us on a treadmill. Instead he tells you, in plain English, how to record how you spend your time, how to identify time-wasting activities, and how to change your behavior to make yourself more productive and efficient. Nowhere will you find a self-help book with more practical techniques or less BS. Small-business owners and time-pressed executives are the perfect audience for this book, but getAbstract recommends it to any stressed-out professional or student.

Summary

Wasting Time: It’s Human Nature

A growing time management industry has developed since The Time Trap was first published in 1972. This industry, which helps people who have trouble getting organized, includes books, workshops, seminars, pocket diaries, calendars and organizer systems.

People need time-management advice because most of the published rules about managing time contradict the laws of human nature. Because of innate human characteristics — such as ego, a desire to please, a fear of offending and a fear of new challenges — people often give in to time pressures, distractions and a failure to delegate. Other characteristics that make you vulnerable to time pressure include curiosity, insecurity, pride in your own abilities, envy of others, ambition and perfectionism. All these traits interfere with your ability to use time efficiently and well.

Due to human nature’s conflict with the “rules” of time management, and due to these strong inborn psychological tugs, it can be difficult to gain control of your time. To tackle this, you must first, become aware of these very strong tendencies in yourself and teach yourself to change.

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About the Author

Alec MacKenzie  is an internationally known writer and speaker on time management. He has conducted hundreds of seminars in 40 countries. He is the author of numerous cassette programs and books, including the previous two editions of The Time Trap

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