How To Waste Time Effectively (3 powerful tips)
- Post Written by Jai Kai on September 15, 2009
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photo “How To Waste Time Effectively” courtesy of Aman Rai
Do you ever feel like you are wasting your time…? Do you often feel like you are constantly waiting? Waiting in line at the grocery store, waiting at the doctor’s office, waiting in traffic or even waiting for someone you’ve planned to meet.
A lot of waiting can feel like you are wasting time. But, what if you could effectively and efficiently waste time. Better yet, what if there were some extremely useful things that you could do each and every time you found yourself wasting and waiting. Here are 3 powerful and useful tips I discovered that successful people use to waste time effectively.
1. Listen For Inspiration
Successful people use their time wisely and listen to inspiring stories that teach them how to achieve and live their life to their fullest potential. They listen to mentors and others who have accomplished great things. So whether you’re interested in personal development, relationship improvement or business success, keep a CD or an ipod with specific recordings you have chosen, on you at all times. Listen while you are walking, driving, sitting or standing. Make sure it is something you enjoy and gives you insight and inspiration. Some of my favorite recordings I have on my ipod are the audio books – Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and The Google Story by David Vise and Mark Malseed.
2. Read To Learn
Successful people constantly read about the things that interest them. They also study the teachings of authorities in their specific niche and industry. With are busy schedules we often don’t find enough time to really acquire the knowledge and skills to make us a little better at what we do - either as a profession or hobby. If you’re a photographer carry a photography book or magazine with you at all times. When time permits, take the opportunity to read a few paragraphs or pages. As a blogger and owner of an internet company I regularly have the latest copy of Wired magazine with me.
3. Write To produce
People who produce successful results write a lot. They may write down brainstorming ideas to expand their business or a plan of something they want to accomplish. Whether it’s writing a thank you card to someone who has helped you or writing pages for your new book, you can always use wasted moments of time sitting to write something productive. Even composing a shopping list while you are waiting a few minutes can be an effective way to save time later. As a blogger I often start or finish articles for upcoming posts while I’m comfortably in the seat waiting to do what needs to be done. Have fun thinking, writing and really enjoy the process.
Time Productivity
We only have a certain amount of time in a day… to eat, sleep, work and play. On your journey to success a BIG question to ask yourself is “How do I fit the time to become more inspired, more educated and more productive?” simple: follow these powerful tips listed above and keep a “wasting time kit “or “bag” with the essentials such as an ipod (with inspiring track), magazine, pen and notebook.
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Another great thing about keeping these types of things with you is it opens opportunity. If you have something to write with you can gather contact information and network. If you add a pair of head phone splitters you can share what you are listening to with someone. It really can make riding the bus much more interesting.
Nice Justin – A great idea and yeah why not share the knowledge and wisdom and make a few friends on the way.
Jai, a fourth thing I would add is visualize your goals. Step into it and experience it, as if you’ve already achieved it. Once you get used to visualization, you don’t need to do specific meditation rituals anymore. All it takes is a deep breath, a defocussing of your eyes and off you go.
Jai, All are good suggestions. I haven’t done so much myself with using audio books or CDs, but I knew a woman who loved to listen to one while she was cooking dinner. A great use of time.
I’m a serious reader–and given the grim selection of reading material in most waiting rooms–I appreciate your reminder to carry a book or magazine in your bag to read while you’re waiting.
And, of course, being ready to write anywhere often works well. There are things I can’t seem to write at my computer, namely, anything funny, but sometimes I can do it at Starbucks or another place that serves coffee. Once I sat down in Starbucks and wrote and wrote and got enough for three separate humorous speeches. (I don’t think I could do this while waiting in my dentist’s office though.)
Wow…That is a great post!!
Super way to look at things.
Great post Jai. Listening to a favourite book on your ipod in the gym is a great way to exercise the mind as well as the body. I also use Patricks suggestion which is visualization, when I am driving I turn off the radio or CD player and visualize my life as it will be.
Jai, I like your idea to listen while waiting. I’ve carried a book in my bag for many years but I never thought of using my ipod while waiting. What a great time to listen to podcasts I want to hear!
I have discovered that what I like best to read while waiting, is something non-productive. It becomes a little mini-vacation then. I try to find a small book for my bag, one that I will enjoy reading in little snippets for several months. Right now, my little book is Rudyard Kipling’s autobiography. I never read it except when I’m waiting, so when I pull it out, it feels like a special treat. I feel delighted that I have that wait so I can read a little more. Sometimes I’m sad when the wait is over.
Now that I have your new suggestion in hand, I can see that there is definitely not enough waiting time in my life. How could I possibly give up Kipling for my podcasts!
Kye
@ Patrick – Yes visualizing could be a 4th way to waste time effectively and you can do it almost anywhere in just over a minute – see http://sharingsuccess.tv/manifest-desire-68-seconds/
@ Madeleine – You have to find the right space and place that fits for you. I love writing my blog posts and reading in coffee shops.
@ Kye – reading or listening to non-productive material and autobiographies can be quite inspiring and a learning experience. Right now I am reading the book “The Twelfth” – a novel that’s giving me some great insights and ideas/
For me, the most notorious way of wasting time is to appreciate life; this is the only moment when I’m not under the influence of time.
Excellent post…. for me I waste allot of time on the internet when I am feeding my baby… rather than doing that I want start reading more books.
@ Walter – Yes being appreciate allows you to truly enjoy the essence of life – another excellent way to waste time.
@ Aman – Here are some great ways to cut back on your internet usage – http://www.stevenaitchison.co.uk/blog/2009/09/17/ask-the-coach-6-internet-addiction/