Ever feel like you have no extra time to get things done in your busy day? Well, consider all those ‘in-between’ moments when you’re standing in line or waiting in traffic. This post will help your optimize and maximize the way you use your N.E.T. time for ultimate productivity!
Have you heard of N.E.T. time? It was an unknown concept to me just a few short weeks ago, but now that I know all about it, it’s revolutionizing my life in more ways than one. Especially in terms of productivity and time management.
SO, N.E.T. TIME. WHAT IS IT?!
I first heard about it when Shawn Stevenson casually mentioned it on his podcast. After looking a little more deeply into it though, I discovered N.E.T. stands for ‘no extra time’.
No it’s not a short way of saying that you’re extremely busy or pressed for time. Rather, it’s referring to the ‘in between time’ that we have on a daily basis.
Think about it. You’re not ALWAYS doing, going, creating, or being productive. There are those moments when we’re waiting in line, sitting in traffic, talking on the phone, or pumping away on the elliptical, when we could actually be doing more than one thing at a time. This N.E.T. time could be spent productively instead of wasted on frustration or boredom.
Now I’m not saying we should always be doing, going, creating, or being productive. It’s important to have moments of relaxation, stillness, quiet, and just being. What I AM saying is that if you’ve ever said: “I have NO TIME in my day!” or “I’m too busy!”…that is simply not true.
You have time. You just have to learn how to maximize and optimize it!
Now that you know what N.E.T. time is, I want to help you harness it!
I’ve come up with 5 Ways You Can Use Your N.E.T. Time More Productively!
CATCH UP ON YOUR FAVORITE SHOWS WHILE EXERCISING
If you’re at the gym or even doing an at home circuit workout, it’s a great time to stream a show you’ve been meaning to catch up on. Not only is it a great use of time, but it makes the exercise more enjoyable because your brain will start to associate working out with watching your favorite shows! It’s like building a little reward pathway in your brain that will help you get started with your workout much easier. We all know starting is the hardest part!
LISTEN TO A PODCAST OR AUDIOBOOK SITTING IN TRAFFIC
I don’t drive anywhere without listening to a podcast or audiobook. Not only do I love them, but if I find myself too busy to sit down and read on a daily basis, audiobooks are a great way to get through books I’ve had on my ‘must read’ list for months! Plus, they’re fun, informational, entertaining, and educational. I’m always learning new things from podcasts (exhibit A: the idea for this post) and books and it can even feel like you’re having a conversation with someone when you’re on the road alone! Company that doesn’t backseat drive? I like.
GET YOUR STEPS IN WHILE TALKING ON THE PHONE
Pacing has sometimes been seen as something you do when you’re nervous or stressed, but it can actually be a great way to add some activity into your mostly sedentary day. On a conference call? Stand up and walk around your house or office. Even take your phone call outside or schedule ‘walking meetings’ with co-workers! If you’re aiming for 10,000 a day, every little bit counts and it’s great for your body to get a little movement in every hour or so.
STUDY WHILE STANDING IN LINE
This one SAVED me during college. I would bring my books and flash cards everywhere with me. To doctor’s appointments, on car rides, to the DMV…wherever. You’re guaranteed to be in line at some point during your day, so why not be prepared with material you can study for school. No need to cram when you can study in small chunks at a time! Another great resource? Study apps! I used the NASM CPT Exam Prep app religiously when I was studying for my personal training exam. I can’t tell you how many times I pulled it out while in line at the grocery store to get some quick review in! If you have a subject you need to review for class or for work, I guarantee there is an app out there that you can use to help study.
GET A ‘5 MINUTE TASK’ CROSSED OFF YOUR TO-DO LIST WHILE YOU’RE WAITING
Waiting for a ride, waiting for your dinner to finish cooking, waiting for your toast to pop, waiting for the microwave to finish, waiting for your nails to try….doesn’t matter what kind of waiting you’re doing! USE this time wisely. I like to use these moments to get ‘5 minute tasks’ done on my to-do list. You know those ones that are so simple they shouldn’t even be on the list, but you have to get them done anyways? Yeah. Work on those. The easy stuff. The things you can get done in a minute if you just focus and don’t let yourself distracted. You’ll get them done fast AND feel that satisfaction of having one more thing crossed off your list.
This article originally appeared on HealthyHelperBlog.com.