“We all fool ourselves into thinking we’re more efficient than we really are,” says Julie Littlechild, president of Advisor Impact Inc.

Her firm has developed a time-management self-assessment checklist that can help you identify areas in which you can improve overall efficiency.

The list below is only a small sample from the Advisor Impact tool. How many of the following statements can you say apply to you?

> I have clearly established goals for my own retirement.

> I have clearly established goals for my business, which link directly to my personal retirement goals.

> I have clearly defined processes within my business for routine activities.

> I spend at least 30 minutes in planning activities each week.

> I delegate all or most activities I am not uniquely qualified to do.

> I deviate from my schedule only if there is some urgency with an important client.

— MAUREEN HALUSHAK