At work, you might spend 9 to 9:30 AM replying to emails, 9:30 to 11:00 AM working on a personal project, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM sitting in on a meeting, and 12:00 to 1:00 PM on your lunch break. At school, you might spend 6:30 to 7:00 AM taking the bus to school, 7:00 - 7:30 AM mentally preparing for the school day, and 7:30 to 9:00 AM sitting in English class.
It can be hard to avoid the clock when it’s plastered to the corner of your computer screen. Try covering it up with a piece of tape so you aren’t constantly tempted to check it out. You can also try distracting yourself by making some top 10 lists of your favorite foods, games, video games, and the like. By focusing your attention on something else, you may not check the clock as much.
If you have to do a presentation for work, you might dedicate 2 hours to planning, 1 hour to outlining, 1 hour to making your PowerPoint, and another hour to practicing. If you have a huge paper due for class, you could dedicate 1 week to research, 2 weeks to writing, and 1 week for revisions.
Check YouTube and music online streaming services to see if they have any classical music playlists you can jam out to while you work, study, or focus. Movie and video game soundtracks are also great options to check out.
Practicing mindfulness Eating a healthy diet Exercising regularly
If you work from 9 to 5, you might set your alarm for 7:30 AM, eat breakfast at 8:00 AM, clock in at 9:00 AM, and clock out for your lunch break at 1:00 PM. If you’re a student, you might set your alarm an hour before the school bus arrives, spend 10-15 minutes in the library before class, and eat lunch at the same time each day.
Play a game on your phone for a couple of minutes Step outside to get some fresh air Shoot your friend a text Watch a short, funny video
Organize 3 toothpicks so they create the number 9. Transform the word “wall” into the word “firm” using a series of 4-letter words. You can only adjust 1 letter in each sequential word. [10] X Research source
Fiction: Please See Us by Caitlin Mullen, Journey of the Pharaohs by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown, The Love Story of Missy Charmichael by Beth Morrey, Westering Women by Sandra Dallas Non-fiction: The Beatles from A to Zed by Peter Asher, She Can Really Lay It Down by Rachel Frankel, The Open Heart Club by Gabriel Brownstein, The Cigarette: A Political History by Sarah Milov True Crime: Highway of Tears by Jessica Mc Diarmid, The Lost Brothers by Jack El-Hai, The Third Rainbow Girl: The Long Life of a Double Murder in Appalachia by Emma Copley Eisenberg, American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of American CSI by Kate Winkler Dawson Biographies: The Less People Know About Us by Axton Betz-Hamilton, Elvis Through the Ages by Boze Hadleigh, King Charles: The Man, the Monarch, and the Future of Britain” by Robert Jobson[11] X Research source Audiobooks are another great time-passing option if you don’t feel like sitting in one place for a long period of time.
Study a new language Teach yourself coding Learn how to play a musical instrument Make origami Learn to cook
Who is your most trusted friend and why? What are 5 qualities you’d like your future spouse to have? What is your favorite part about yourself? Starting a blog or tackling a creative writing project are some other great ways to pass the time in a fun, productive way.
Taking some artsy photos Making a collage Painting a portrait Making a clay sculpture If you’re totally new to the art world, sample some online classes and video courses. These are a great way to learn the ropes at your own pace.
You can find a guided meditation recording on YouTube to help you if you have never meditated before. You can even meditate while doing active things, like running. Try choosing a mantra to repeat and focus on as you go about your day, like “I choose my own path,” “I am devoted to myself and my needs,” “My positive thoughts can carry me through any challenge,” and “I decide whether my day is good or bad. ”[15] X Research source
