You know those little pockets of time when you’re just waiting – maybe for a car service, an appointment, or even just the kettle to boil? Instead of defaulting to a social media scroll, there’s a little practice I love to call “waiting productively.”
Why Waiting Productively Works Wonders
The concept is simple: those idle minutes are actually mini opportunities. Instead of letting them slip away, you can tackle a few quick to-dos. For example, you might jot down tomorrow’s priorities, clear a couple of emails, or even use a time management technique like the Pomodoro Method to get one focused burst of work done in a short interval.
My Personal Example: How an Oil Change Turned Into a Productivity Win
Earlier this week, I was at Quicklane waiting for an oil change. Instead of flipping through my phone or finishing a Wordle puzzle, I took a quick look at my to-do list. In that hour and seven minutes, I managed to change my medical aid plan (since it was the open window for selecting a new one), draft an outline of an article, and knock out a couple of small but important tasks that weren’t urgent but definitely mattered.
When I walked out, I felt like I’d really made the most of that waiting time, and it actually gave me a little motivational boost for the rest of the day. In the past, I might have just scrolled through TikTok Reels, video shorts or browsed Instagram, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but choosing to wait productively left me feeling a whole lot more accomplished.
A Few Favorite Tools and Tips
- The Pomodoro Technique: Use a 5-10 minute focus burst to clear one small task. Even a single Pomodoro session can help you feel accomplished while you wait.
- ·Time Blocking on the Go: Have a mini-list ready—three small tasks you can do on your phone or in a notebook, so you always know what to tackle.
- ·Set Reminders for Quick Wins: Keep a list of “quick wins”—tiny tasks that take 5 minutes or less—so you can pick one when you have a short wait.
- ·Read a Business or self Help Book – Keep a book on your phone or e-reader for quick learning bursts. Even a few pages during downtime can spark new ideas and fuel personal growth. Highlight key insights to apply later.
As Dale Carnegie said, “Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves.” Waiting productively is just one small way to tackle those “hard jobs” in tiny increments, so that when the bigger tasks come around, you’re already ahead of the game.