It’s not every day that I find myself in a Costco parking lot with nothing to do but wait for my daughter to wake up.
And yet, being flexible and ready to work on some tasks for just such an occasion has allowed me the space for some expected and welcomed productivity.
Not bad for a Monday afternoon, right?
Interestingly, it has always been helpful for me to have different categories of tasks (e.g. personal, official business / administrative tasks, work/business, etc.) to create a mental framework of what I’m working on. It also helps me get in the mental “zone” and create some productivity momentum in one specific category instead of switching around from one category to another.
Over the years, it has also been helpful for me to ensure I have the right tools for the right task, at the right time. For example, my phone is perfect for on-the-go tasks or unexpected quiet time. Having said that, sometimes I really do need my computer and a spreadsheet to be open, for any kind of detailed analysis or projections/calculations.
Bottom line?
Always be prepared for productivity even in the unexpected downtime.
Otherwise, if you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself mindlessly scrolling through social media without moving the needle forward for your business or your personal life.
And that would not be a great way to spend the day, wouldn’t you say? 🙂