Are you ever feeling like there is never enough time in the day or that your schedule is always jam-packed? As time ticks by, you may experience what is known as time anxiety. There is, however, a way to deal with it. That’s by utilizing your pockets of time.
There are small, unnoticed periods of time throughout the day that are also known as time pockets. It is usually a short interval between tasks, meetings, or other scheduled activities.
From just a couple of seconds to a couple of minutes, time pockets can vary in duration. Sometimes, you find yourself waiting, idle, or with extra time to spare.
The following are some common examples of time pockets:
You may think that time pockets are insignificant. In reality, they can be very useful. When you use your time pockets wisely, you can accomplish more, reduce stress, and improve your overall health.
Make sure you identify your time pocket each day or week at the start of the day. By doing this, you’ll be able to take advantage of them when they arise.
Say you will be in the mechanic’s shop this week getting your car fixed or traveling for work. Consider taking a book you want to read, completing some work, or downloading podcasts you want to listen to.
As you wait, you can also complete small tasks. You can use this time to catch up on social media, return emails, or reply to texts. It is also a great idea to plan ahead or dump ideas while you wait.
As soon as you identify waiting times and wasted time, you can begin to plan tasks and activities to fill the gaps.
Making the most of small amounts of time can be achieved using the 2-minute rule. For those who are unfamiliar, any task or activity that can be completed in 2 minutes or less should be handled as soon as possible. In this way, you avoid putting off small tasks that will accumulate into a huge list of tasks that you cannot handle.
Organize your tasks that will take less than 10 minutes into a “quick task list.” For instance, you might print off a document, make a follow-up call, or schedule an appointment.
When you have a few minutes, challenge yourself to complete those items on your list. In addition to getting more done, you will be less likely to procrastinate on bothersome little tasks.
Depending on the task, some time pockets may be more appropriate than others. A time pocket might be useful for catching up on email, reading a book, or brainstorming.
A report or a presentation, however, would require a lot of focus or time commitment. For such tasks, you should allot a separate block of time.
The most common ways to waste time are to check unimportant emails or scroll through social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, or whatever Twitter is called these days. However, you can use your smartphone to be more productive while on the go instead.
By breaking down large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones, you can create a Kanban board or something similar.
When you work on long-term projects, you’ll feel less overwhelmed if you cram smaller tasks into those obvious time slots in your schedule. This will increase your productivity and focus and make you more efficient.
Do the work in those pockets where you have time when you don’t have anything else to do, rather than doing it all at once. You can still use timeboxing in these instances, noting in your calendar that you are working on a small project.
Having a busy schedule can make it difficult to exercise. The good news is that you can fit some physical activity into your schedule throughout the day.
You may find that the best thing to do in a small window of time is to ignore everything work-related. Get some fresh air by taking a short walk, journaling, praying, clearing your mind, or stretching for five to ten minutes. Don’t shy away from small doses of unplugged time that will help you lower your stress level and recharge your body and mind.
The extra minutes you find in your day shouldn’t be wasted because you think they mean nothing. The more time you spend on meaningful work, the more you get done and the happier you feel.
A small pocket of time occurs throughout your day for brief periods of time, typically less than 30 minutes. During these periods, people may complete tasks, take breaks, or simply relax. They may be planned or unplanned.
You can identify small pockets of time in your day by following these tips:
A small pocket of time can provide a wide range of benefits.
Taking advantage of small pockets of time can make you more productive. Listed below are a few suggestions:
Image Credit: Berk Aktas; Pexels; Thank you!
The post Are You Making the Most of Time Pockets? appeared first on Calendar.
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