# Saving of Time

## Definition

The elimination of time lost when a worker passes from one kind of work to
another. Smith identifies this as the second mechanism by which the division of
labour increases productive power. Time is lost both in physical transition
(moving between locations and tools) and in mental transition (the sauntering
and inattention that follows switching tasks).

## Source Chapter

Book I, Chapter 1: "Of the Division of Labour"

## Context

Presented as the second of three mechanisms. Smith argues the loss is greater
than commonly supposed, encompassing not only travel time but a psychological
cost: workers who constantly switch tasks develop habits of "sauntering" and
"indolent careless application" that reduce their output even during active work.

## Economic Domain

Production

## Smith's Original Wording

"Secondly, the advantage which is gained by saving the time commonly lost in
passing from one sort of work to another, is much greater than we should at
first view be apt to imagine it."
