Time Management For Dummies - Making Use Of Wasted Time
Time spent waiting around for someone or traveling to work does not have to be a waste of time. Those few minutes waiting in line or hours spent on a plane can become very useful to you in your time management plan.
If you commute to and from work on the bus or train, or if you spend a lot of time flying, consider how you could more effectively use that time. Reading is the most obvious choice for these circumstances. You could use this time to read the latest journals or research papers, go over your report before the presentation or start editing your draft term paper. If you have a notebook or laptop you may be able to work on your current project. Some people can’t read while traveling. If you are one of those people, how can you combat this? How about listening to your Greek language tape? …or making phone calls (if it’s not too noisy). Consider using a small voice recorder for recording your thoughts on your next project. There are plenty of small tasks you could be working on while commuting.
Other things to consider when commuting by plane or train are whether or not it is worth upgrading. Traveling in better circumstances will give you a better working environment. The extra cost for a business class seat could be negated by the extra work you achieve while traveling in comfort.
What about if you drive to work? You obviously can’t read in the car but if you have a car phone you will be able to make calls while driving. Consider also if it is worthwhile to hire a driver. You could be working in the back seat and not have to worry about the stress of the traffic, therefore arriving at work in good condition, well planned for the day ahead.
Waiting in line provides similar challenges to you in your time management scheduling. Reading, calling or listening (as above) can all be utilized. How many times have you sat in the doctor’s office waiting for your appointment? Always have something to read with you. Magazines in the waiting room rarely provide reading on work-related issues! If you are a writer always have a pen and pad with you. Ideas are everywhere for your next book/article and often come when you are waiting around. Don’t leave it to your memory. Jot it down.
Do you find some people keep you waiting for work-related appointments on a regular basis? Are they playing a ‘power-game’? If that is happening and they are wasting your time with needless waiting, here are a few tips to think about before your next meeting.
1. Call and confirm your appointment time the day before.
2. Don’t arrive more than five minutes early - you don’t want to give the impression that you have time to waste
3. While you are waiting, keep busy - read, take notes, make calls. Use this time effectively.
4. If you have been kept waiting for a significant time, tell the receptionist that you have to leave. You don’t want to be caught up in power games. Hopefully this will spur them on to start the meeting or explain the delay. If your contact doesn’t provide you with this courtesy, leave.
Waiting around doesn’t have to be an inefficient use of time. If you are prepared and account for this time, you will be able to use it effectively in your time management plan.
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