Assign Small Tasks to Your “schedule Gaps” Every Morning
We all have small breaks in our schedule during the day. This time is adding up. You must use these spaces wisely to avoid wasting time. One option is to assign them small tasks every morning.
Performance expert Jordan Cohen at 99u suggests doing this in two steps. First, take a few minutes early in the day to identify where gaps may exist. Maybe between meetings, for example twenty minutes. Second, schedule the tasks you want to complete at each interval. This is probably a less tedious job, or just something that you put off until later.
I love this idea, but it’s important to have some free time in your schedule too. Some jobs take longer than you expect, and taking a break will help you keep up with your schedule. Plus, you need time to relax and recharge throughout the day.
So instead of scheduling consistent, consistent work, this is how I do it. I make a weekly list of small, quick tasks that I put off. This could be answering an email, making a decision, or sending an invoice to a customer. Every day I plan my work and identify my gaps. When they come up, I use that time to tackle one item on my weekly work list. But I also remember to take the necessary mental breaks.
Regardless of how you implement this technique, it’s a great way to make the most of the time you might otherwise spend browsing Facebook or chatting with a colleague. There is nothing wrong with either; they serve a purpose. But if you could be more productive during this time, you might consider optimizing small gaps in your schedule.
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