December 3, 2009 142 Comments

If You Have an Extra Half Hour

clock and lemons In the course of a day, someone cancels a meeting, someone misses a phone call, a project takes the back burner, you find yourself waiting for someone else. This time is the time most at risk to being wasted.

It’s amazing what we do when the half hour seems free or extra. Instead of just throwing it away, here’s a list of things you could do instead that might improve your business relationships.

If You Have an Extra Half Hour

Perform a few of the following tasks.

  1. Write two recommendations on LinkedIn for people’s work you can vouch for.
  2. Read and comment on five blog posts(especially if they’re up-and-coming bloggers vs the pros).
  3. Go to search.twitter.com, put in a few topics you’re interested in, and comment on a few conversations.
  4. Go to Alltop.com and discover some new blogs in a category that matters to you.
  5. Read and Stumble a few good blog posts. Share them on Twitter and Facebook, too.
  6. Write a list of blog topics to come up with in coming weeks.
  7. Reply to the five oldest emails in your inbox. See if any of the replies would be better as blog posts to help more people.
  8. Investigate two new websites or technologies that might or might not impact your work.
  9. Teach one person you know about something you know about social media.
  10. What would you add?

You probably have a few more ideas for what to do with a half hour. Let’s list them here.

Photo credit lepiaf.geo

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  • http://twitter.com/Omaniblog Paul O'Mahony (Cork)

    Take your Moleskine notebook out of bag. Take the top off your fountain pen and write whatever comes into your head. Write without thought, without intention. Simply write… You'll be a better person to meet after that.

  • http://twitter.com/pnstlion Gabe Young

    I would sleep. Bump that daily total to 4.5 hours.

  • mikemcmahon

    Add a Google Alert that searches for a topic of interest and send results to your RSS reader.

  • http://www.hrb-ideas.com/ Dawn

    Great advice – a 30 minute block is a gift! One addition, if I may, we are in a digital world, I still always carry a book or a industry reading file. If I have to wait 10 minutes for a meeting to start, I can read an article or two in that time.

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  • http://www.retirepreneur.com Donna Kastner/Retirepreneur

    Looks like we're in agreement that we all need a 24.5 hour day – make it so! ;)

  • http://tribeswell.com Colin Clark

    I like to find a blog that I've never seen before… preferably I this would be a blog that is fairly local to me. Then I have to find something to leave a comment on. Sometimes this takes more than 30 min.

  • Linda

    Try the (free) Peace of Mind Attunement at: http://www.lindawhitedove.com/Attunement_Sample…

    Share it with a friend.

  • http://swiftpage.wordpress.com/ Annie Cooley

    Take your Moleskin notebook out of bag. Start from the first page and skim over the notes you have been taking over the past weeks. Does anything jump out at you that you forgot to action on. Rewrite your old ideas into new ones and brainstorm ways you can put them into action

  • http://samirbalwani.com/ Samir Balwani

    I love “Read and comment on five blog posts(especially if they’re up-and-coming bloggers vs the pros). ” – Whenever I have free time I go through my Google Reader, before I can Share or Star a post I make myself leave a comment on it.

  • pewestlake

    Completely agree. We get so focused on career that we often overlook the network that got us there. Yes, call your grandmother. I can almost guarantee that something she says will help you in work and life.

  • http://www.faenix.ca/ David Barbier

    Clean up my bookmarks & desktop. If you arre like me, it can get very messy. :)

  • Nancy_Jacobs

    Reach out and say hello to some folks in my pipeline. Spread some of the love.

  • http://twitter.com/matthixson Matt Hixson

    This is why I enjoy this blog. This is something simple that many people might think – duh – but they find themselves wasting time at their desk for a free period when they could be maximizing that time. This is going up on my cube wall as a reminder.

  • http://www.mikeashworth.co.uk/ mike ashworth

    mmmm,

    look at the task list you have waiting and select some from there.

    use the opportunity to go outside and get some fresh air, on your own, with a colleague, whatever.

    ring someone close to you and tell them you love them.

    ask a colleague if there is something you can do to help them.

  • Phil

    Close your eyes and free your mind of all the details you usually deal with. Breath deeply and remind yourself of what is most important to you in this life. Then get back to work.

  • http://www.simplyzesty.com/ Niall harbison

    Yeah I'd agree with this and maybe add something like “start writing your own killer blog post” or “do that one thing you have been dreading” and it will seem like a massive bonus. Doing the stuff on your list will come back and help you in the long run for sure.

  • http://www.simplyzesty.com Lauren Fisher

    Great way of looking at it Chris. Since getting the iphone a few weeks ago, I now love waiting in queues or traveling, as I can just get stuff done! The biggest one for me is reading. I wish I had more time to read blogs and I love using those few extra minutes to consume more information.

  • flaquita1

    Use the time to Re-focus on what you are going to do that day.

  • Laynie – the marketing muscle

    If I had an extra hour, I would use it for cardio training as I always come back refreshed, inspired, and with some of my best creative ideas. I already do daily cardio training. Sometimes I escape into my own thoughts, sometimes I just embrace the great arts of Mother Nature, sometimes I make those personal phone calls I've been deferring. “Hello Mum” …

  • http://www.beginnerblogger.com/ Sarge

    I was going to say a random act of kindness :)

    When I used to catch the bus home from work I would generally sleep (it's about a 45min bus ride and I usually always need to catch up on some sleep) but sometimes I would sacrifice my sleep and try and help people out on twitter through my iPhone.

    It felt really good to be able to connect and help others and make a small difference. A small sacrifice but worth it. :)

    Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com

  • http://twitter.com/communitygirl Angela Connor

    Start writing that book you claim to never have time to start.

  • http://www.wellplannedweb.com/blog/ Deana Goldasich

    Yup… it's hard not to slip from productivity to procratinatory (that is completely a word I just decided to make up).

  • http://www.vitabits.de/gesundheit-des-mannes shaunhenriques

    This is really interesting topic to be share with all of us.I like post very much as it contain very informative knowledge and give importance of the time.I would like to enjoy my half hour with my dear ones and family.Because they give the happiness throughout in my precious life.I like all links which can be used for the half hour moments which can give amount of knowledge.

    tee

  • http://www.professorbeej.com/ Professor Beej

    Interesting. I already do #2 regularly. I love commenting on up-and-coming blogs because I find it to be one of the best ways to find new readers. Being a part of the community as it is built creates friends and colleagues, while commenting on many pro blogs can cause a person to get lost in the sea of commentors.

  • http://blog.brodzinski.com/ Pawel Brodzinski

    Grab a team member and spend some actively listening to him/her. You can more than from social media after all.

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  • wernsthink

    Turn everything off, computer, laptop, cellphone, blackberry, everything. Call your significant other. Ask her how her/his day is going and listen to them like you did when you first met.

    If you can't reach them. Grab a piece of paper. Write them a letter. Tell them how they make your life worth living. Find a stamp and mail it.

    ROI will be through the roof

  • http://suzemuse.wordpress.com suzemuse

    Call your mother. (That's what my Mom would tell me to do with an extra half hour.) :)

  • http://accessibleweb.eu/ Richard

    Listen to half a Boagworld podcast (or if absolutely necessary skim through the banter and get through the whole hour show in half an hour)

  • hackmanj

    Great reminder Egbert – this is often lost.

  • Sonja Lovas

    Love the suggestions and I would add, write a love letter to your son or daughter if you have one.

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  • http://twitter.com/annenwood Anne Wood

    I'd add – update your LinkedIn profile status often and make sure it's 100% complete. Oh and tell loved ones you love them (inc pets)

  • karenmarcus

    Read some of those bookmarked sites or starred blog posts you've been meaning to get to.

  • http://twitter.com/mckra1g mckra1g

    My instinctive response was to hit the gym or engage in another “sharpen the saw” activity. The paradox is that by taking strategic moments to rejuvenate oneself, one can be more effective when engaged in whatever business is at hand. As a classic Type A, naturally energetic person, I tend to forget that and find that my engine is out of fuel.

    Thanks for the forum!

  • http://twitter.com/fearlesscomp jeff ogden

    Those are all terrific ideas, Chris. We all have unproductive time, but there are good ways to put it to use. I love writing Linkedin recommendations for other people. I also alway look for good bloggers. (Mine is http://www.fearlesscompetitor.com, by the way.) Finding interesting people on Twitter is also fun and productive.

    Bottom line. There's lots of good stuff you can do every day.

    Jeff Ogden, President
    Find New Customers
    “Lead Generation Made Simple”
    http://www.findnewcustomers.net

  • http://twitter.com/rwenderlich Ray Wenderlich

    Excellent point Egbert. It's so easy to get caught up in all of the tasks of the day that we don't often think to take the time to remind others how important they are to us!

  • http://www.bizworks360.com Mary Ann Halford

    Chris, thanks for this great list of to do's when you have that down half-hour. I have a few to add to your list based on my experience as a commuter from Westchester County to Manhattan as well as a busy professional shuttling around Manhattan regularly:

    1. Audible.com: I listen to a number of great business books on my iPhone. For example, I recently listened to Mitch Joel's “Six Pixels of Separation” via audible. It is a tremendous service and it is a great way to do all the “reading” you can't get to. Currently, I am listening to “Trust Agents” courtesy of Audible.

    2. Podcasts: I love to listen to Leo Laporte's “This Week in Tech” and “Net at Nite” on my iPhone. My new current fave is “This Week in Start Ups” from Jason Calacanis. It is always inspirtng and informative and great to listen to on the subway or walking to the office in NYC.

    3. Kindle: I am a woman so it is easy to place my kindle in my bag. I am currently reading Gary Vaynerchuk's book “Crush It” on the Kindle.

    4. Retweet comments from friends and colleagues on Twitter

    5. Wireless USB: I don't go anywhere without it – it gives me computer access everywhere I go. This AM while waiting for a colleague for breakfast at the Antique Cafe, I started this comment. Now I am at the Hospital for Special Surgery waiting for the nurse on my pre-hip replacement operation check up. And believe me, as soon as the anesthesia wears off next Thursday, I will be tweeting, blogging, commenting and more as well as following all of Chris's recommendations in this blog post! In fact, I know it will help me use the time in the hospital productively!

    6. Mentor Moments: I have had the privilege to mentor many young people, particularly students and recent alumni from my undergraduate school. I often use this time to check in with them, schedule time with them or follow up on questions.

    7. Thank You Time: Use email, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or the greater consciousness to say thanks to the people in your life professionally and personally.

    We all can make more of our days and technology is our great ally!

    Thanks again Chris for great insights

  • ConxaRoda

    Love the list.
    Practicing number 2 now (but I'm afraid to read and comment on 5 blogs can take more than half an hour!)
    Other suggestions:
    -stop, take a deep breath, relax and think
    -forget the ICT and take a paper and pencil
    -read a book
    -have a cup of coffee (preferably with someone else to talk to)
    -give your extra time to someone else
    -update your Flickr albums /Youtube channel
    -refocus your priorities for next week (month, year)
    -dream about a crazy idea (creative inspiration comes when less expected!)

    Conxa
    @innova2

  • http://www.linkedin.com/in/sharelomer SharelOmer

    Go to the sea? dive.. buy my wife a present…

    ha , work :)
    i suggest get to know your friends friend on facebook and connect to the one you find interesting and that you can learn from.

  • Mr. Serious

    Do your job! Do it better. Be more precise, more thorough, more correct. You're at work, you should be adding value to your company.

  • http://www.hellinthehallway.net/ Deborah Mourey

    Hi Chris,
    If I haven't already done it that day, I would make sure that I took a few deep breaths to remind me I'm here and alive then the next person I see, I ask them how they are and then listen to the answer. I look in the face and eyes, I smile warmly. I hope to make them feel like they are the special and important person they are.

    I like all the ideas particularly the ones about thanking someone and appreciating someone. I like to remember to tell and show the people I love the most how much. takes only a minute but these 2 things can change someone's entire day. Deborah

  • Stirling Murray

    Choose five contacts you havent seen, spoken to or emailed for ages. Send an email asking how they are, what they're upto and can you met up. You never know what it might lead to or how fortuitous your timing might be.

  • stirlingmurray

    Choose five contacts you havent seen, spoken to or emailed for ages. Send an email asking how they are, what they're upto and can you met up. You never know what it might lead to or how fortuitous your timing might be.

  • stirlingmurray

    Take five minutes to choose five contacts that you havent seen, spoken to or emailed for ages. Ask them how they are, what they are up to, and offer to meet up. You never know here it might lead to and how fortuitous your timing might be.

  • Realtormike

    Call your children or text to let them know you are thinking about them.
    Thank you for a good list, I'll print and keep.

  • http://www.ribeeziemedia.com/blog Ricardo Bueno

    There are two things that I can immediately think of that I've let hit the back-burner: 1.) my newsletter, 2.) commenting and/or reading new sites. The newsletter was something that I stayed on top of rather well. I used to get some good replies but then I let myself slip and stopped sending it out as frequently (this needs to change). As for the second, commenting on other blogs (at least 5-10 a week) was something that I did regularly as well. It felt good.

    The good thing about my process is that I've outlined a list of “daily rituals” (if you will) that I perform. I think everyone should find a process that works for them and then commit every day to working it.

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  • http://twtrcoach.com TwtrCoach

    “If I only was organized/ structured enough to just do this simple 30 min task, then I will free up more time to do all the other great suggestions here.. ;)”

    Cheers.. Are

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