19 Ways to Make Your Waiting Time Productive

Do you get impatient when you wait in line at the bank, wait at your daughter’s piano lesson, or sit for an extra hour at the doctor’s office? Instead of feeling frustrated by wait time, you can be productive and put that time to good use.

Being more productive while you wait starts with planning. As you start your day, review your calendar and daily to-do list. Look for places and times that you are likely to have to wait.

Armed with a clear understanding of your day, you can easily prepare for the times you’ll be waiting. Preparing means making sure that you have your phone, tablet or any other device you routinely use.

If you plan to use your time to read or to do something else you enjoy, be sure you put your book, magazines, or anything else you’ll need in your bag or into your car.

I’ve been following David Allen’s Getting Things Done philosophy for quite a while. I always have a “to read” file and an “action support” file in my bag. That way I can either catch up on reading or complete the next action on a project or two while I’m parked and idling.

Ok, now that you have a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish and you’ve taken steps to have what you need with you while you’re waiting, here are 19 ideas to help you use wait time more productively and to make that time pass more quickly.

Catch Up While You Wait

Clean up your email inbox. Whether you use your phone, tablet, or laptop computer, you can read and process emails in your work and personal email inboxes.
Process your notes for the day – so far. Most of us process our notes from meetings and conversations at the end of the day. Why not get a jump start on the end of your day? This may give you a chance to take action on your most important tasks earlier than normal.
Read the material in your “to read” file. I collect articles in a paper file so that I can pull them out when I have down time and read through them.

Connect While You Wait

Clean up any voicemails you may have lingering in your phone’s mailbox. Capture any follow-up necessary.
Make phone calls. If the environment is right, give someone you’ve been meaning to call a quick call. Even if you miss them, they’ll know you’ve been thinking about them.
Send emails or texts to friends, family, coworkers, or customers.

Plan While You Wait

Use your day planner to make a to-do list for next week
Plan your next DIY project and identify the items that you need to purchase. Use your device to look up and review plans and even purchase materials online while you wait.
Scan your calendar for upcoming birthdays, anniversaries, and events. Need a card? Add that to your to do list.
Plan what you need for a birthday party, barbeque, or another social event that you are hosting or coordinating

Invest in Your Development While You Wait

Read a motivational book that will change your mindset in ways that will empower you to reach new goals.
Watch a video on YouTube or Rumble that teaches you something.
Write in your journal. This is a great way to improve your mindset and clarify your thinking about topics that are important to you.
Listen to a podcast on your phone or Mp3 player. Choose a topic that you want to learn about. Be sure to use earbuds in public! (Personal pet peeve)

Relax While You Wait

Sketch at random in a small sketchbook that fits in your pocket or purse.
Read a book that interests you. If you prefer, listen to a book on audible. Sometimes I listen to books that my high schoolers are reading so that I can talk with them about it.
Play games on your cell phone, just turn off the noise so that others are not bothered.
Work crossword puzzles or Sudoku.
Daydream – there’s nothing wrong with zoning out while you wait.

This list is by no means complete. It’s intended to inspire you with a few ideas to help you make better use of downtime. You are your own best judge of what you need to do at any given moment.

By preparing for downtime, you can be more productive when you’re forced to wait.

Do you have any additional OR better ideas? Please leave a comment.

Make it a great day!