50 Ways to Be Productive While You’re Waiting
For type-A personalities, getting stuck in a situation where you’re waiting around can be endlessly frustrating. While boredom can play a factor, it’s mostly because you consider time your greatest asset. Well, that’s at least how I feel when I’m stuck waiting around! I often think long and hard about my day so I can cram strategically pair what I have to get done with where I'll be. I also brainstorm where I can afford to multi-task. Don’t get me wrong, I am not condoning texting and driving or anything like that, but there are opportunities where we can (safely) double up on tasks—like starting a load of laundry while cooking dinner.
But there will be times (a bunch of times) when the day just doesn't go as planned and you, unfortunately, find yourself waiting around.This could be due to situations like getting a flat tire and waiting for AAA or your phone’s battery runs out, ensuring that Skype meeting you planned ain't gonna happen. Whatever the case may be, it happens—but that doesn’t mean you can kiss productivity goodbye.
So, before you waste time on Facebook, playing Clash of Clans or Candy Crush, here are 50 ways to be productive while you’re waiting around:
- Re-assess your week's goals
- Delete useless pictures off your phone
- Text two people you haven't talked to in a while
- Start (or work on finishing) that book you haven't had time to get into
- Reorganize your wallet
- Throw away trash in your immediate area
- Make a doctor's appointment
- Read a helpful or fun blog
- Write in a journal
- Plan your next vacation
- Repeat positive affirmations
- Practice a foreign language
- Think about an emergency preparedness plan
- Break out your adult coloring book (or use an app)
- Practice breathing exercises
- Practice stretching
- Clean out your car's trunk or back seat
- Plan your next meal
- Reconnect with a friend and plan to have them over for a meal
- Draw or doodle
- Play with your pet or kid
- Write a thank you card/note/email
- Take a power nap
- Make a grocery-shopping list
- Create a budget
- Update your budget
- Call a relative
- Shop on your phone for a great deal for something on your wish list
- Text your significant other a sincere note of love (or apology)
- Plan your next day
- Read a book (great if you have an E-reader or e-reader app)
- Unsubscribe to e-mail lists you’re no longer interested in
- Listen to a entertaining or educational podcast
- Schedule your next massage
- Work through a Sudoku puzzle
- Sing karaoke (if you are waiting alone…)
- Think of something nice to do for a loved one
- Take a long walk
- Dance
- Delete duplicate contacts in your phone or email
- Look at shapes in the clouds
- Write a haiku
- Clear your desk
- Clear out a place you haven't looked at in a while (you know what place)
- Place needed household items in your online cart
- Post something for sale online
- Give yourself or get a manicure
- Meditate/think deeply/pray
- Reconcile your checking account
The list doesn’t stop here. Any simple or quick task you can think of will work, too. No matter what you end up doing, try to use the time in a positive way and you’ll find the time spent waiting will fly right by.
If you need a little extra help with productivity planning, let me know. We can work together to find solutions that work best for you.
