How can I spend small pockets of time productively while on my computer?

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On my computer, I am constantly doing actions that are not instantaneous, let's say more than 5 seconds but less than a minute. These actions are not long enough to justify switching to another context or another project. For instance:

  • Running a compilation command that can take 10 to 25 seconds
  • Waiting for a slow application to load
  • Waiting for a medium-sized file to finish downloading

What I find myself doing in these occasions is perusing a technology news website, which ends up being a big time sink.

I know there are plenty of ways to make it more difficult for myself to spend time on known time wasters. But this question is about ways to use the small spans of time created by these small delays productively, specifically when using a computer or at a desk, and thus is different from the one marked as duplicate. I don't want to just sit there and resist temptation, I want a good outlet. Something that won't cause too much of a mental context switch, but that is useful. I'd love to hear your ideas.

Flimm

Posted 2016-05-17T09:40:00.897

Reputation: 111

Question was closed 2016-05-21T22:45:52.650

1@JanDoggen Interesting link! My question is different in that it's referring to shorter bursts of time (less than a minute), and it's specific to computer usage. – Flimm – 2016-05-17T12:46:50.963

Obligatory comic: Compiling

– Jan Doggen – 2016-05-17T12:49:11.003

documentation is always good. – Raystafarian – 2016-05-17T15:49:42.637

Maybe make a list of things to do. For example I look on my "computer", "internet" and "email" todo list. Some of them only consists of "send file x to person y" which is a very fast task when i know where the file is. Of course its important to have this lidt close by you so you can contributions everytime you promise someone to write them an email or something pops into your mind – BlueWizard – 2016-05-31T11:57:47.587

Well, now someone asked the exact same question and it got good answers and quite a few upvotes. I would rather this question be marked as a duplicate of this new one http://productivity.stackexchange.com/questions/16736/productivity-recommendations-for-10-seconds-whilst-task-is-completing , rather than the frankly wrong one that it currently is marked as.

– Flimm – 2016-06-17T15:15:41.917

Answers

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What repetitive processes do you have that consist of tiny time slices?
You know more about your job than we do.

Things that come to mind:

  • looking up translations
  • doing some calculations
  • filing away paperwork
  • proofreading documentation
  • physical exercises to prevent RSI
  • read a web page that is on your 'non-essential' reading list
  • check your mail and other notifications
  • add items to any lists that you have to make
  • organize some files on your computer; clear old stuff
  • phone or email someone from your 'contact this week' list

Each one of these separately may not contain enough tasks, but maybe together (make a master/meta list)?

You would have to 'collect' them beforehand when you know that these 'idle' time fragments are coming up, so:

  • postpone proofreading that document
  • don't have your mail visibly open or switch its notifications off
    (a good idea anyway when you need to focus)
  • maintain a list of 'terms to be translated'
    etc.

Jan Doggen

Posted 2016-05-17T09:40:00.897

Reputation: 2 586

Asked: 2016-05-17T09:40:00.897

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Active: 2016-06-01T12:01:16.323