Time Pockets

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Every day we have little pockets of time that get wasted. We are not using them to accomplish anything productive – and we’re not using them to relax. These pockets of time generally come along with feelings of boredom of frustration.

They occur when we’ve got some necessary gap between two tasks.

For example:

· Those ten minutes at work before a meeting, when it is not worth starting anything new.

· Waiting for a kettle or a pan of water to come to the boil

· Waiting for a bus or train.

· Getting stuck in traffic for twenty minutes.

· Standing in line at the post office.

All too often, we end up simply drumming our heels. But you can put these pockets of time to good use – even when they are as short as five minutes. Here’s how.

At work

Even if your hectically busy most time, you’ll probably have the occasional few minutes when there’s really nothing you can get on with. Perhaps your aging computer has crashed and you have wait for it to reboot, or maybe you’re waiting for a conference call and can’t start anything involved.

Instead of filling your nail, doodling on post it notes or making a giant paper-clip chain, here are few ways to salvage some of those time pockets-in order to make sure the rest of your day goes more smoothly.

Five minutes:

· Wrote a quick to-do list or check list for a project which is weighing on your mind. It’ll instantly seem more manageable.

· Clear the spam from your inbox – you don’t even need to open it, just delete it without a second thought.

Ten minutes:

· Tidy off your desk – file papers, put items away in drawers, throw away any trash.

· Knock out a few quick emails.

Twenty minutes:

· Write an outline for the report you’re working on and check a few facts.

· Make that phone call you’ve been putting off.

At home

Time pockets often arise at home when you’re waiting for someone or something. Perhaps dinner is over and there’s twenty minutes until your favorite show is on TV. Maybe you’re ready to leave the house, but your partner is taking a shower. Perhaps a friend has called to say he’s running late.

Rather than mooching around looking bored or flicking through a magazine, use your pocket of time to sort out something that’s bugging you. Here are some examples:

Five minutes:

· Check all lights are turned off and that electrical equipment is off rather than on standby.

· Write a quick shopping list.

Ten minutes:

· Write that check which you meant to post a few days ago.

· Fold the laundry and pair the socks.

Twenty minutes:

· Tidy and clean the kitchen.

Out and about

I find a lot of time pockets arise when I’m out for the day whether I’m doing something fun or just running errands. There’s always some time spent waiting in line or hanging around for a bus or train.

Instead of tapping your feet and glaring ay your watch, snatch this bonus time to do something interesting.