In todays hectic society we are always in a rush, on the run or out of Time. Ironically, we are also constantly forced to sit down and wait for someone to show up (Dinner or Business Lunches, Meetings etc.), for an Appointment (Doctor's or other Offices) or in long lines at grocery or department stores. Why not use those “down or waiting times” to get things done that would otherwise subtract from you relaxation or off time.
These simple ideas can safe you time, money and stress. You can do them anywhere while waiting. I however discourage you from trying to do these while driving. However, a major traffic jam that will have you stationary for several hours is fair game.
Write your Menu Plan for the week and write your Grocery list:
Unless you are rich or can afford to hire someone else to do the cooking and grocery shopping for you this little chore is annoying and time consuming. By planning ahead not only can you safe money but time as well. It has been proven by several marketing research firms that you can slash your grocery bill by at least $200 a Year by planning ahead. As long as you follow your list, you will bypass those last minute impulse buys and safe time by getting in and out quickly.
Organize your Contact List and Address Book:
Most of us add and subtract Contacts from our Lists and Address Books constantly. By using your otherwise wasted time to organize and update your Contacts and Address Book you will gain quicker access to the needed information at a later time. Once organized properly you can find anyone on your list quickly and without stress. Tip: I separate mine into Business and Personal, plus A (constant/important) and B (rare / very casual) Lists.
Pre-write Greeting Cards for special Occasions and Holidays:
It is the rare person that doesn't fall prey to the last minute rush to send Greeting Cards out during the Holidays or didn't forget the Birthday or Anniversary Card for your Co-worker, Cousin twice removed etc. You get the point; Greeting Cards besides being a nice tough are often a stress inducing “Chore”. Why not set up a special Place in your house and store pre-written Greeting Cards for those crunch times. So next time you have nothing but waiting to do, get out you're A and B Lists and pre-write those Greeting Cards.
Make other Appointments as needed:
This may be ironic or even a little odd sounding, but why not make those other Appointments while you are waiting. Combine being on hold with “being on hold”. To make sure you are not wasting several days, it is always a good idea to try grouping Appointments in the same Area in the same day. This way you can get everything out of the way in one wash up.
Write first Drafts or edit your work:
I always carry a notepad and pen with me. Wonderful for writing down quick information, but also for writing first drafts when the Ideas flow. If you are a Writer, Student or Business Person you can use those down times to write down a first draft of a Project or Memo you need complete later anyway. If you already have several done, why not edit some of them. This works well for making Business connections as well. You would be surprised how often I had Strangers ask me about what I was writing so intensely. What a wonderful way to get your Name or Business out. Just make sure you carry a Business Card with you, in case of good leads.
Brainstorm and make to do lists:
Lists, lists and more lists. Like thousands of other People, I believe in making lists. Why you might ask if you are not into making those lists and see them as yet another waste of time. The Answer if honest has to be, because I am often scattered brained or my mind is on several different subjects and projects at the same time. This way, I can stay organized and plan ahead. It helps me to know what I already have in my household (DVD's, Music, Books are collected by my Family and I) and what I still need or want. It is also amazing how often you can think of a great Christmas or Birthday Present when you don't need it right then and there only to forget about it later. Here is your chance to have the shopping for gifts already well in hand.
Clean out your junk drawer or organize your bills stash:
This one works only if you are at home waiting on hold during a phone conversation. Being stuck on the Phone gives you a chance to go through that drawer you would never go through otherwise.
Another one for at home, folding and matching socks:
Do you have that bag of mix match socks at home too? I do and when I am stuck on the phone or waiting with not enough time to get anything involved done I sort through my socks to see if I can locate those missing partners.
Write those long over due communications to your Friends and Family far away:
Unless you do everything computerized these days, sitting and waiting for your Doctor to show up is a good time to write some of those long overdue letters to Aunt Jane in Mississippi or friend Lola in Hawaii. You will be surprised how quick the time will fly by.
Meditate
This might seem like a waste of time to some of you, but meditating is a very good way to bring inner balance to yourself or reduce stress. Some meditations can be easily done in public. Why not give it a try.
You might be surprised just how much stress you can reduce by those simple ideas and free up time for yourself. After all, that is what we are all looking for right?
