Wasting Time

How do you waste the most time every day?

My rule for time-wasting is: It’s ok if I waste my time, but I don’t want other people doing it.

In a long line at the Post Office a couple of years ago, I came up with the idea for a great app. When I am forced to stand and wait, I should be making money off those who are asking stupid questions, asking the same question multiple times, or who seem like they have never used the Post Office before (or UPS, or a supermarket self-checkout, or…the list goes on). So the app would mysteriously move cash from their account into mine, thus rewarding my patience. I have no idea how this could be legally implemented, but there’s the startup pitch.

I’ve always been big on to-do lists, and one of my pieces of advice to those who want to be more productive is: make lists, then break down the tasks into sub-tasks that might be easily accomplished in a few minutes. You have five minutes? Here’s an item that I could do right now! This technique led a colleague to ask about my system, and then tell me it wouldn’t work for her because she doesn’t make lists. There goes that chance for a TED talk.

What do I do to waste time? I have a game or two that I play on my phone. They are not there to make money, just to relax me. They keep my mind active rather than doom-scrolling through Instagram and Facebook (though I do this sometimes too). I’m hoping to keep my mind active as long as possible, and want these games to assist with that cognitive thinking. And they’re just fun!

How about you? Let me know in the comments, and please like and follow!