I find that waiting around can be a frustrating experience, especially because I can be quite an impatient person. I have enough to do without wasting time waiting at the checkout, or sitting around while the train runs late! However, recently I’ve tried to make the most of the experience. It might be annoying waiting around but it can also be a great opportunity to do something. Because there are none of the distractions you would get at home or in the office, it’s usually a great opportunity to do those niggly little tasks you’d otherwise ignore.
Just because you are waiting for your partner to finish her shopping spree doesn’t mean you can’t use the time to your own advantage. Perhaps you could ring an old friend or clear your inbox of all your old text messages. During my lunch break I had eaten my food but still had plenty of time spare, so I decided to write some rough notes for this blog post. It saved me a lot of time when it came to typing it up! Whatever you choose to do, it doesn’t have to be something significant or from your to-do list. Small tasks that you wouldn’t normally bother with but which make your life easier are ideal. You can write out your shopping list while you’re waiting for a taxi or finish reading a book while you’re waiting for a meeting to start.
Alternatively try using the time to relax. Giving yourself the chance to disconnect and unwind from everything is just as important as getting stuff done. Make the most of it! Being a passenger on a long road journey might seem really unproductive but it’s a great opportunity to chill out, because you don’t have any of the distractions you would otherwise have at the office or at home.
February 9, 2009 at 10:04AM
“Being a passenger on a long road journey might seem really unproductive but it’s a great opportunity to chill out.”
I definitely agree with this. I don’t drive – I’m 23 and I haven’t learned yet because I haven’t had the need. Public transport and/or my bike take me where I need to go, plus I like taking the bus andtrain. I’m a grad student with a part time job too and I don’t get much downtime, apart from my commute. I use the time for just daydreaming, thinking, journaling or leisure reading. This is time I just wouldn’t have otherwise. Even if I could shave some time from my commute by driving, the headache of finding parking at my university is just not worth it.