Lately, I’ve learned to take greater advantage of dead or wasted time periods!
Such “time periods” are when you are driving to work, waiting in a fast food line (or really any line), walking out to your car, waiting for the kid’s current sport practices to finish, waiting in the doctor’s office, and so on…
For most of these tasks, I try to find a book to read that isn’t to the point where I would have to take notes or need to think really deeply (so most of the books out there…). I’m sure I look a bit odd reading my “book of the moment” as I walk through the halls on the way to my car to leave. Or when I’m in the elevator reading a few sentences or two. But it’s really a great way to go, walking/waiting/driving time would be wasted time for me. Of course while walking and reading, I have excellent vision and know the terrain very well!!! If I didn’t know where I was walking (or if I were going up or down stairs) I definitely wouldn’t be reading and walking at the same time.
For those times when I’m driving, listening to audiobooks is my favorite way to make use of that time! It use to be listening to music, but with audio-books I learn stuff, which is great! In fact, there is nothing better than listening to an exciting story while driving on a trip for vacation! It helps keep me up while driving through the night!
Lately, I’ve been trying to think of blog topics while driving. Surprisingly, it’s not as easy as it sounds, at least not for me. Either it’s in the morning when I’m still groggy or traffic is too busy, so I’m constantly keeping my focus on my surroundings. Definitely not the easiest was to concentrate. But still, I get general ideas, and write them on the back of an junk mail envelope.
Do you know of any additional ways to use wasted time periods more efficiently?
Bests,
MR
I try to maximize every spare moment. I clip coupons or blog on the Ipad when I am at soccer practice. I usually think if I am alone in the car. Unfortunately, many of my ideas are forgotten by the time I get to my destination!
Basically, I try to plan out each day so I know what I will be doing and what I can accomplish. If only I could do laundry remotely…
That’s my problem too, I think of good ideas at night and while driving in the car, but I don’t write them down and forget them (or at least some of them).
You need to get one of those new Rosie the Robot type laundry washers (lol).
I don’t know that reading and audio books are an “efficient” use of your time unless you’re reading books that teaches you a skill that can earn/save you money. However, I don’t think every single minute of your life has to be “efficient”.
I read that even with all these time saving technology we have less free time then our ancestors. Since my temporary “promotion” my commute has doubled and my work load has tripled. I prefer to waste my wasted time because it’s about the only “me” time i have left.
Oh, I hope I didn’t convey use all your time all the time… I just mean during those wasteful moment in life where we usually sit waiting from some other event. Such as driving, drive-thru, waiting for professionals such as doctors, etc.
This give me more time to play with my kids, watch movies with my wife, coach soccer, etc…
I’m just saying why let the sucko moment in life where you are in a traffic jam make you mad… If you are listening to an audiobook while in the car while in a traffic jam, you won’t experience the rage that others might be experiencing 🙂
For me it is the reverse when it comes to driving! Every day it is learning something – whether it is at work or at home – when driving I just want to relax so I force myself to listening to music and not to anything else that will make me think!
I’m actually beginning to enjoy my commute!
In my book, listening to music counts too, or even a comedian, just something (unless the drive is very scenic). 🙂
I’ve been doing the opposite and trying to give my mind a break. I’m starting to feel like I’m less efficient overall because of my workload.
A couple of my fellow sales colleagues swear by books on tape. I will have to try it on my next trip. When you drive 10 hours in one day that’s alot of wasted time, especially when you leave the house hours before anyone’s in the office yet.
Blogging breaks help.
I’m one of those unfortunate souls who after driving 2 hours would start to fall asleep. This has endangered my family in the past.
But by listening to a good audiobooks that has a good story, I’m able to drive 10 hours and get out of the car totally refreshed! How cool is that!
Actually the last vacation that I went on I wanted to drive another 30 minutes so that I could finish the audiobook that I was listening to. Prior to that I hated, absolutely hated driving on vacation…
When I had long commutes, I was a big fan of audio books! My favorite was Bonfire of the Vanities by John Litgow. He made it particularly interesting. My best thinking occurs when I am out bicycling. I haven’t quite figured out how to write and ride at the same time though! When I rode my stationary bike, I would read which made the time go faster.
Sounds like you and think very similarly in time optimization.
I read light books or books that don’t require to think too deeply while waiting.
Thanks for the idea for a book to read! I’ll have to check out “Bonfire of the Vanities”.
My bother-in-law like Fountainhead by Any Ryn, I’m going to try get that one to listen too shortly.
I think of blog topics as well. I also have a Businessweek and Forbes magazine with me at all times. I read each cover to cover since waiting at sports practice consumes a lot of time. I will also walk around the block while waiting so that I can get a little exercise. And of course kill time playing Angry Birds.
Magazine are great for short lines! For those places where there is a such a wait, a mazagine is perfect!
Believe it or not, I’ve never played Angry Birds! I’ll have to check it out too!
I dont go anywhere without my iphone these days. I check email, wordpress, twitter, etc whenever I get spare time. It’s also quite addicting. 🙂 Im typing this on my commute home right now actually. That’s one perk of using public transit!
Very nice! That’s the ultimate use of time, riding public transit, while accomplishing something productive and entertaining!
Great idea and thanks for sharing! 🙂
Hat tip to you!
My problem is keeping track of all of those “envelopes” where I’ve written my brilliant ideas!