The Intersection of People and Process
What do you do when you find yourself with a few minutes of downtime?
Where downtime can be anything from waiting in line for something, waiting for a meeting to start or just being out and about on any given day.
Most people these days point their heads at their electronic devices. It doesn’t have to be that way. You can take these mini moments and put them to good use. With a little planning and forethought your mini-moments can lead to maxi-returns.
How often have you walked into a room – whether it’s at the office, at a store or even at your home — and found everyone with their heads down and focused on the electronic devices in their hands? There is nothing wrong with using your eDevices. Just make sure that’s the best way to spend your mini moments.
I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.
~ Stephen Covey
Three Mini Ways to Spend your Time – Read, Write, Rest
These are three really simple ways to spend your time. They can be consumed in small bite sized chunks. Which is why I’m calling them Mini Ways and Mini Moments. They can be ad hoc and just pop up somewhat randomly. Or they can be designated and dedicated times you have created for yourself. There is no wrong way to organize your Mini Ways to spend your time. Just make sure you find the time at least a few times a day. Your brain, your body and your future self will appreciate it.
Read, Write, Rest
That’s it!
Use your time gaps to Read, Write or Rest. Perhaps all three. In a few minutes you can jot down the beginning of an idea you want to flesh out later. In a few minutes you can read an article you have been putting off. In a few minutes you can grab a much needed break.
Soak it in! It’s ok to stop, look around and just soak in the moment.
Be Future Focused
When you do make the time to plan for Read, Write and Rest periods you are being future focused. Studies have shown that people who are better oriented to time do significantly better on tests and in business.
Have a plan. Be persistent. Your success depends upon it.
Ideally, you will set time on your calendar for downtime. Then you can make a concerted effort to Read, Write and Rest.
The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.
~ Stephen Covey
When you do you will find that things flow more seamlessly together because you aren’t constantly running from one task to another. Perhaps doing both task with less than your best effort. Multiplied by all the tasks on your plate at any given time. When you do you will find that you can rise above the crowd because you will be able to see things more clearly.
You will be able to decide, decipher and decode the underlying demands of situations more effectively. You will also stand out in your career because of your ability to stay above the fray, to see holes where there were none before, and to be able to get more done. All because you set the time aside to focus on what matters.
Bonus Fourth Mini Way to Spend Your Time
Listen – You can learn a lot by listening.
Everyone has many ways to spend their days. I’m suggesting you find a few mini ways to spend yours.
