Down Time: Use It for Planning

Q. I’m pretty good at managing major projects and fairly large chunks of time. But I still have several “empty” spots during the day that could be more productive—waiting for a meeting to start; standing check-out lines; suffering through traffic jams. I don’t want to be compulsive about it, but how can I use these 5- and 10-minute smaller time opportunities to better advantage? —Elizabeth T.

A. It’s easy and simple; you just do a little prep work and have things ready to do. Here are some I’ve found helpful:

• Open the dictionary at random and learn five new words. Use each one in your speech at least three times in the next eight hours, and they’ll be in your vocabulary forever. (I like learning the origin of a word–it’s interesting, and helps me remember the meaning.) Instead of saying "Well, it's kind of like, you know, different, like it's split in two," in your next conversation, you could say, "There's clearly a dichotomy here--one we should look at." Then think of the new, interesting friends you'll have when the verbally stunted ones shy away from you as having a jingoistic approach to word-building.

• List your goals for that day, week, month, quarter, year. Then outline action steps—and deadline dates— to reach those goals. Successful people make lists continually—they plan their work, and work their plan.

• Think about some things you can improve or ways you’d like to grow. Then choose one and write some action steps that will help you to get there.

• Carry a book, or an article you’ve been meaning to read, with you when you know you may have some “down” time. Then, instead of getting frustrated, just start reading. Several years ago, I realized I was spending a lot of time on my way to and from work just waiting for traffic lights to change. Fourteen signal lights each way—each taking about 30 seconds to change. That’s about 15 minutes a day— more than an hour each week. I made a copy of a poem I wanted to learn, and enlarged the print to 1/2” high letters so I could read them easily on the passenger seat (not while driving!)— one line each time the light turned red. The drive time went by more quickly, and today I still enjoy several poems I memorized, like “The Cremation of Sam McGee,” “Mending Wall,” and “The Road Not Taken.” (Right now I’m having fun memorizing “The Shooting of Dan McGrew,” and building my French vocabulary.)

• Spend “down” the time sitting quietly, asking yourself why your internal engine is running so fast that it’s hard for you to slow down, even for 10 minutes.

• Reflect on things you enjoy: walking in the woods; sitting in the warm sunshine; listening to a favorite piece of music; easy, fun conversation with a good friend; your hobby; your spouse or children.

• Think of some wonderful things you can say the next time you talk to someone special in your life. Better yet: call them and tell them. At least write them a note.

• Write a note to a coworker, thanking him or her for some specific help you received. Even better: send the note to someone you’re having some difficulties with. You might be amazed at the response.

• Rekindle your sense of wonder at the world around you. Think about offbeat things like, "Where does the white go when the snow melts?" "Where does the wind come from, and where does it go?" "What makes the wind?" “How would I describe the sound of wind to someone who has never heard it?"

• Even if you’ve never thought of yourself as an artist, keep a notebook with you and, for 10 minutes, start sketching--just for fun. It beats creating anger as you think, "Will you hurry up? You do this every time!"

• Realize that nothing is ever finished; that all life is difficult; and that nothing in life is a rehearsal for something else. All we have is just this minute—now—minute after precious minute.

• Make a list of your good qualities and enjoy thinking about them. Those qualities are a gift to those who love you and everyone you come in contact with.

• Think about one thing you can do this day to share your joy with someone else. Then share it.

• Ask yourself, "Why am I angry at certain things or people?" When we begin to realize that no one can make us angry, sad, happy or glad--that we create our own feelings and are responsible for them, it doesn't make a lot of sense to create anger when we can just as easily create peaceful thoughts. And they make us feel terrific, too.