A nurse-manager has set a goal of addressing external time wasters. What phenomenon should the manager address?

Time wasters are categorized as either internal (originating from the manager's own behaviors and habits) or external (originating from outside sources). External time wasters include interruptions, unnecessary meetings, excessive paperwork, phone calls, and demands placed on the manager by others in the environment. A large quantity of paperwork that must be completed is a classic example of an external time waster because it is imposed on the manager from outside rather than arising from personal habits. Option A, procrastination, is an internal time waster because it originates from the manager's own behavior. Option C, the inability to say no to requests, is also an internal time waster rooted in personal behavior patterns. Option D, difficulty setting clear objectives, similarly reflects an internal cognitive or organizational shortcoming. Understanding the distinction between internal and external time wasters is essential for effective time management; targeting external time wasters means addressing environmental demands such as paperwork volume, whereas targeting internal time wasters requires behavioral self-modification. The question specifically asks about external time wasters, making excessive paperwork the correct answer.