Being productive and mindful: 20 One minute to dos

One of the things I find useful is micro productivity. We all like to live a full day and feel we have actually been present in our own lives. However, it is very easy to drift away from being mindful and next thing an hour has past with no knowledge of what was actually done. During the day I usually find I have some ‘non action action time’ – those moments when performing a task when there is a bit of a forced lull – like a page downloading, kettle boiling or the total ‘enjoyment’ of on-hold music. It can also happen when my focus on a topic is wavering and I need to move to something else for a short while but not so long that I will be engrossed in a new deed. I also find it very useful if something isn’t ‘flowing’ as it should, like writing or being creative. A few moments doing something completely different is often enough to refocus.

Micro productivity, for me, is not only about utilising all those unoccupied moments it is about recognising them. Being mindful enough about the happenings during the day that I notice when I’m not living the moment. It’s about living in the now.

So here are 20 to start you off and hopefully give you a few ideas:

At home

1. Throw out any old newspapers etc hanging around

2. Put away that coat or jumper that has been dumped on a chair

3. Fold a few pieces of washed clothing and put them away

4. Empty the bin

5. Wipe your kitchen sink or bench

6. Load the washing machine

At your desk/computer

7. Delete something unwanted from your desktop

8. Put away the file that has been in your tray for awhile

9. Put new paper in the printer