Win the waiting game

All our lives we are taught to wait for things. We might find this frustrating, time waisting or boring. Remember time is a valuable thing and we can use it wisely

The wait for the an appointment, the time in between meetings, waiting for a friend, ad breaks or even waiting for a lunch order are great blocks of time to get stuff done. A large task like rearranging the house or writing a report can take hours or even days but large tasks can be broken up into short very achievable tasks. 

Some of the worlds great minds used their waiting time well. Thomas Edison set up a laboratory in the baggage car and between selling sandwiches on the train he conducted experiments. Great Canadian physician Sir William Osler had very little time to peruse his lifelong interest in books. However he set aside 15 minutes a day and complied an annotated bibliography of his library with over 7000 entries.

The best way to get started is to carry a running list of small tasks. Smart phones are great for this as they are usually near by at all times. Even the old fashioned note book and pencil in your pocket or handbag is a great way to jot down things people tell you, important things to remember or ideas that spring to mind. If you are off to an appointment take a book with you and your notebook and pencil. 

Things that feature on my running list
Tidy car
Shopping list
Clean out linen cupboard
Draft blogs
Proof-read assignment
Fertilise plants
Email friends overseas 
Organise photos on my computer
Book in medical appointments

Some decluttering things you can get done in 10 mins
Clean out kitchen draws, going one at a time makes it feel easy and less time consuming.
Sort laundry
Cull 5 items from the wardrobe you don't need
Make a list
Sort email folders
Make a rubbish, tip or donation pile in the garage or near the front door
Tidy pantry
Clean out fridge
Do a quick tidy and dust.

Instead of jumping on Facebook, having that snack or turning on the TV try knocking some things off your list. You will surprised what you can achieve over time and how simplified things can feel.

Stay simple