photo courtesy of Dplanet

Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning and focused effort – Paul J Meyer. Top 8 Productivity Hacks will help you become productive (as is obvious). It consists of some tips, tricks and ideas to make you more efficient.

Productivity Hack #7 : Optimize Your Wait Time

Minutes add up to hours and hours to days. As we spend time waiting, we end up wasting days of doing nothing but just waiting. More over, how your wait time goes affects your mood and productivity after the wait time is over as well.

3 Things To Do To Optimize Your Wait Time -

• 1. Create A Reading Basket

  A reading basket comes in handy when you know before hand that you have some waiting to do. Fill the reading basket with magazines, booklets, prayer books … whatever you wish to read and carry one with you without fail when you leave for the appointment. A ready reading basket ensures that you don’t have to search for material to read last minute or compromise on reading anything that you can lay your hands on.

  My reading basket consists of books from library. I habitually carry one book in my handbag all the time ( you never know when you have some waiting to do )

• 2. Plan To Your Heart’s Fill

  I love planning. Charting out things to do, figuring out when to do what, generating new ideas for work in hand etc. Waiting time also means a time to brainstorm, come up with new ideas etc. A pen and paper come in handy when inspiration strikes. And yes, I usually have a pen and paper with me all the time. If there is no paper, tissue, tickets, receipts etc work great as temporary idea collectors.

  If you have the habit of keeping your to do list with you all the time, you can also scan for items which you can complete while waiting.

• 3. Connect & Network

  When you can get some personal space while waiting, using your mobile to connect and network with friends, family and colleagues is one of the best things you can do. A five minute phone call goes a long way in staying in touch and up to date on what’s happening in each others life. As long as you have your mobile with you, you don’t need anything else.

  Of course, some things to consider – your phone bills and risk of irritating others if they are within audible distance. Keep a list of people to connect in your notes section for a reminder of people you want to stay in touch with. Or simply begin from A to Z and repeat after you complete your list (this might take you a long long time and numerous wait times)

Some times, the best thing you can do is do nothing. Simply close your eyes and tune out. Relax. Take a break from doing something constantly. You don’t need to do something constructive each and every minute.

As you spend those 5-10 minutes of wait time doing nothing and simply enjoying – by meditating, taking a nap, listening to music, chatting with people around you, people watching … whatever you like, you will find yourself in a much better state of mind which will in turn lead to higher productivity.

Read Other Hacks:
• Productivity:
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  #2
  #3
  #4
  #5
  #6