28 5-Minute Activities That Help Me Make the Most of My Time | Wit & Delight

The secret to getting more done every day is to make time between your work.

I had no idea how much time I was letting go until I started taking inventory of what I was actually doing in the minutes and hours of each day. Sometimes I would give thirty minutes to investigate who Harry Styles’ new songs were about. Other days, I would organize my letters by color to avoid opening email that had been sitting on my counter for a week (or more).

We have many good reasons to avoid doing things that we know are too stressful. These types of excuses are very dangerous because they hide under the mask of productivity.

Once I realized all of this, I started working on how to curb my procrastination tendencies, and the answer I found was deceptively simple.

In order to make the most of my time and get back on track when I’m tempted to procrastinate, I need to allow myself the space to take advantage of small breaks. This allows me to meet myself where I am and get my mind to change its mind before* it starts drifting.

We all have pockets of space during our days that can be used effectively, whether we’re focusing on work tasks, health management, or self-care. I keep a short to-do list, so if I’m rushing to a meeting, waiting for the water to boil, or waiting for my oil to be changed, I can be more intentional with my time. Sometimes the right choice is to meditate for five minutes. Sometimes, it’s taking care of work that needs to be handled.

The key to taking advantage of these small moments is to get in touch with what’s causing you to procrastinate in the first place—whether you’re frustrated, feeling disconnected, or distracted by the clutter in your space.

The key to taking advantage of these small moments is to get in touch with what’s causing you to procrastinate in the first place—whether you’re frustrated, feeling disconnected, or distracted by the clutter in your space.

I have created five categories for you so that you can easily see what you need at the moment, so that you can focus on a short list of universal tasks that can be done in a short time. Sometimes all we need to move forward is an incremental reset.

5 minute tasks to complete when you…

Feeling the need to reset.

• Meditate.
• Drink water.
• Practice aromatherapy.
• Write a short journal.
• He stood up and stretched.
• Walk around the block.
• Wash your face.

You are overwhelmed with work.

• Make a list of everything you need to do.
• Return the call or email.
• Choose one task that can be delegated to someone else.
• Delete or archive emails that do not require action.
• Start the work you have been putting off for too long.

You want to connect with someone.

• Text someone you care about and tell them how much they mean to you.
• Make lunch plans with the person you missed.
• Invite someone you meet and like for coffee.
• Make a list of people you enjoy spending time with.
• Meet people who complement you on social media.

It wants to separate your place.

• Wrap the threads neatly.
• Take out the trash and recycle.
• Clean out one drawer that you use every day.
• Take an inventory of your closet and mark a few items to donate or get rid of.
• Wipe down the countertops in your kitchen or bathroom.

You are overwhelmed by life.

• Make a grocery list.
• Make a meal plan for the next day or week.
• Make the appointment you’ve been meaning to schedule.
• Check your bank account.
• Read your mail.
• Send a thank you letter.

Add related activities to your digital notebook or download a free printable template (shown below) to place on your desk, hang on your fridge, or add to your planner. Create your list and start enjoying the feeling of putting yourself and your needs first.

To download a free 5-minute list template (shown below), click here.