How do you spend your downtime?   Almost every workday contains a little downtime.   Whether you are passing the lunch hour, waiting on a phone call or a child at an appointment, or at the end of the day as you pack up to close down.   You can fill that downtime with productivity by doing a few simple tasks such as these:

Clean your workspace.  You probably have some stuff to put away or throw out – pens, paper, tools, coffee cups, etc.   This will make your workspace more efficient and look nicer as well.

Clean out your purse.  I could organize my purse at least once a week.  Throw out or file receipts.  Put everything in the compartment it belongs in.  Throw away unneeded items.  Put extra pens where they belong.

Review your files.   Go through your file cabinet, phone, or computer, looking for anything you can discard or handle quickly.  Put accurate labels on files.  Back up imporant computer files.

Organize your contacts.   Look through your email list and other contact lists.   Delete those you no longer do business with or need.   Update those who have newer information.  Is there anyone you should call or touch base with?  Checking through the names will make it easier to locate the current, correct contact infomration when you need it.

Create a video.   With you phone, portable digital video recorder, or Ipad, you can record a quick video for your blog.

Go through your task list.   I have a to-do list online that I can access through my phone and/or computer and I often log in to see what I can do in just a few minutes.

Give your car a mini cleanup.   When waiting for my child to finish a tennis match, or other appointment, I gather any trash or papers that might be in the car and put it into a bag to dispose of when I get home.

Make a list.   Downtime is a great time to make a list of things you need to do.  It can be personal items….call the doctor, make a dentist appointment, etc.   Or a work list of people you need to contact, reports you need to do or specific items you need to delegate.  I often make a list of bog ideas for future postings.

So what do you do when you have downtime?   How do you make it productive time?   I’m sure you can think of at least one more tip to add to my list.  Please leave you ideas in the comment section.