Time Management Part 4- Utilizing Time Gaps

Another important tool in the effective time management is utilizing time gaps. There are many times in our lives when we are forced to wait for people, queue, or spend time waiting. Many times these gaps are wasted and we do not spend them doing anything productive, but if we are wise then we will make use of these time gaps and utilize them effectively.

Utilizing Time Gaps between Meetings

Do you find yourself having to wait for a meeting to start while the others you are meeting with arrive? This time can either be spent unproductively or it can be utilized for more effective time management. This time gap can be effectively utilized by preparing in advance. Take along with you some notes to review, a notebook to jot down a letter or other notes or spend more time preparing for the meeting. By utilizing time gaps between meetings you can have more time to prepare for the meeting or to work on other short tasks.

Utilizing Time Gaps in Queues

Waiting in queues can be one of the biggest irritations for otherwise effective time managers. One way to cut down on this is to try to arrange your errands around when the queues will be the shortest, but if this does not work you can also utilize these time gaps for more effective time management. Fill in deposit slips, write out checks, or do other small paperwork while standing in queues. If you are standing in a queue in a place where MP3 players, CD players or cassette players are allowed then use this time in the queue to listen to audio books, courses or other audio notes and information.

Utilizing Time Gaps Spent Waiting in your Car

If you own your own car and find yourself having to wait for people you are giving lifts to, or lifting your children to their various activities then you can utilize these time gaps in a number of ways. If you have enough room consider taking your laptop and working on your laptop while you wait. If you do not have the room for the laptop or do not possess one then this time can be spent in a number of other ways – taking notes in a notebook, making calls on a cellular phone, dealing with correspondence or finances, or really anything which you can comfortably do in your car and which you can do within a few minutes.

Utilizing Small Time Gaps

Effective time management means utilizing small time gaps where ever they occur. Take a look at your life and note when you are most likely to waste small time gaps. How much time do you spend in these situations? Once you have realized what these situations are and where they occur you can look through your task list as well as other tasks you need to complete and think about which of those activities can fit effectively into that time gap. The more effective you become at utilizing these time gaps, the less time you will find yourself wasting and the more time you will find.

In conclusion, effective time management includes utilizing time gaps and discovering where you are likely to experience small, wasted gaps of time. This time may be time spent waiting in queues, waiting for a meeting to start, waiting for lift clubs or other small gaps of time. If you learn how to effectively utilize these time gaps you will waste less time and find more time.