Ever feel like you have no extra time to get things done in your busy day? Well, consider all those ‘in-between’ moments when you’re standing in line or waiting in traffic. This post will help your optimize and maximize the way you use your N.E.T. time for ultimate productivity!
Have you heard of N.E.T. time? It was an unknown concept to me just a few short weeks ago, but now that I know all about it, it’s revolutionizing my life in more ways than one. Especially in terms of productivity and time management.
So, N.E.T. time. WHAT IS IT?!
I first heard about it when Shawn Stevenson casually mentioned it on his podcast. After looking a little more deeply into it though, I discovered N.E.T. stands for ‘no extra time’.
No it’s not a short way of saying that you’re extremely busy or pressed for time. Rather, it’s referring to the ‘in between time’ that we have on a daily basis.
Think about it. You’re not ALWAYS doing, going, creating, or being productive. There are those moments when we’re waiting in line, sitting in traffic, talking on the phone, or pumping away on the elliptical, when we could actually be doing more than one thing at a time. This N.E.T. time could be spent productively instead of wasted on frustration or boredom.
Now I’m not saying we should always be doing, going, creating, or being productive. It’s important to have moments of relaxation, stillness, quiet, and just being. What I AM saying is that if you’ve ever said: “I have NO TIME in my day!” or “I’m too busy!”…that is simply not true.
You have time. You just have to learn how to maximize and optimize it!
Now that you know what N.E.T. time is, I want to help you harness it!
I’ve come up with 5 Ways You Can Use Your N.E.T. Time More Productively!
Catch up on your favorite shows while exercising
If you’re at the gym or even doing an at home circuit workout, it’s a great time to stream a show you’ve been meaning to catch up on. Not only is it a great use of time, but it makes the exercise more enjoyable because your brain will start to associate working out with watching your favorite shows! It’s like building a little reward pathway in your brain that will help you get started with your workout much easier. We all know starting is the hardest part!
Listen to a podcast or audiobook sitting in traffic
I don’t drive anywhere without listening to a podcast or audiobook. Not only do I love them, but if I find myself too busy to sit down and read on a daily basis, audiobooks are a great way to get through books I’ve had on my ‘must read’ list for months! Plus, they’re fun, informational, entertaining, and educational. I’m always learning new things from podcasts (exhibit A: the idea for this post) and books and it can even feel like you’re having a conversation with someone when you’re on the road alone! Company that doesn’t backseat drive? I like.
Get your steps in while talking on the phone
Pacing has sometimes been known as something you do when you’re nervous or stressed, but it can actually be a great way to add some activity into your mostly sedentary day. On a conference call? Stand up and walk around your house or office. Even take your phone call outside or schedule ‘walking meetings’ with co-workers! If you’re aiming for 10,000 a day, every little bit counts and it’s great for your body to get a little movement in every hour or so.
Study while standing in line
This one SAVED me during college. I would bring my books and flash cards everywhere with me. To doctor’s appointments, on car rides, to the DMV…wherever. You’re guaranteed to be in line at some point during your day, so why not be prepared with material you can study for school. No need to cram when you can study in small chunks at a time! Another great resource? Study apps! I used the NASM CPT Exam Prep app religiously when I was studying for my personal training exam. I can’t tell you how many times I pulled it out while in line at the grocery store to get some quick review in! If you have a subject you need to review for class or for work, I guarantee there is an app out there that you can use to help study.
Get a ‘5 minute task’ crossed off your to-do list while you’re waiting
Waiting for a ride, waiting for your dinner to finish cooking, waiting for your toast to pop, waiting for the microwave to finish, waiting for your nails to try…doesn’t matter what kind of waiting you’re doing! USE this time wisely. I like to use these moments to get ‘5 minute tasks’ done on my to-do list. You know those ones that are so simple they shouldn’t even be on the list, but you have to get them done anyways? Yeah. Work on those. The easy stuff. The things you can get done in a minute if you just focus and don’t let yourself distracted. You’ll get them done fast AND feel that satisfaction of having one more thing crossed off your list.
Have you heard of N.E.T. time before?
In what ways do you ‘waste time’ during the day?
Do you think you’ll try to use N.E.T. time more productively after reading this post?
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34 responses to “5 Ways to Use N.E.T. Time More Productively”
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Hi Kaila, Great post! I personally hate to stand in lines but at least I can do something constructive per your instructions! Thanks for the information and the inspiration! Blessings, Janet
Thanks Janet! Happy to help!
HI Kaila,
I love your ideas for NET time. Especially the first two – exercising is perfect time to use to watch an audio or TV and while setting in traffic is perfect for listening to a podcast. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted!
Thanks Marla! Glad you found this interesting!!
I’m planning on sleeping right now too… And I love how you recommended listening to things in traffic; listening to things really really helps the time FLY by! I also love to watch or listen to things while exercising; that’s why I’m not a super gym fan unless I’m with someone else, because I don’t usually want to watch the things that are playing on the main TVs.
Sleeping extra is SO good for us!
I drive 45 minutes each way to work and you’ve reminded me I need to take advantage of listening to podcasts during that time. I’ve recently created some goals and “education” on certain topics is one of them. I could use that drive time to learn instead of listening to music. Great tips! Thanks for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday!
Podcasts are the best! Let me know if you need any suggestions!!
You’ve got some unique ideas here. I hadn’t thought of walking while I was on the phone. I pace a certain amount while I’m talking, but being intentional about getting steps in is a great idea. I’m going to put that one to work.
I try to squeeze quick phone calls in while I’m waiting in my car for the bus.
Glad you found these ideas helpful!!
Great tips! I am so busy all the time, multi-tasking is a must!!
Thanks Angela!
I knit or crochet whilst watching tv, not quite the same as exercising but I do like multitasking!
I always have an easy project on the the go so don’t have to keep looking down at it! I like your other ideas too, not wasting time gives us more time to do the things we really want to.
I like catching up with social media when I’m in the car waiting to pick kids up from their things too.
Hey multi-tasking is multi-tasking!! I think it’s awesome that you work on two things at once!! Thanks for stopping by to read this post! 😀
I totally take advantage of my net time. In the pick up line at school I crochet! Never leave home without it!
Thanks for posting this on the our Mini Linky party for me to find!
That is such a great use of time!! Every moment counts!!
I love reading so I usually am sneaking reading or listening to audio books time into my day when I exercise or clean. I love reading productivity books too to help me get motivated to get things done. I can’t do it all the time but when I’m feeling good, I use my NET time to inspire me to keep going! Stopping by from Share the Wealth and hope you join us at Small Victories Sunday linkup and Pretty Pintastic Party going on at my blog right now.
That’s a great use of NET time!!! 😀
Great ideas for using those extra little bits of time. I find I can easily get sucked into spending too much time on social media and try to only get on when I’m waiting to pick my son up after school or after I’ve gotten all my TO DO items done for the day. I also schedule 15 minute blocks of time for each channel (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest) to spend on social media for my blog, otherwise I could spend hours looking on-line.
I love the idea of scheduling out specific time for social media channels!! I definitely have to try that.
Hi Kaila! I had not heard of N.E.T. time before, but do use that extra, un-allocated time every now and then. Not as often as I’d like to, because it is so easy to get sucked into other tasks. These are some great ideas to help get more done. I’ll have to put on some podcasts I’ve been meaning to listen to next time I’m in the car. Thanks you so much for sharing this!
Kate
So welcome, Kate! Thanks for stopping by to read the post!
Great tips! I actually do a few of these already. I listen to podcasts while running. I always have a book on me at all times so I can read while I’m waiting in line or otherwise. I definitely could make better use of some of my other downtime though (darn facebook!).
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Kimmy!
These are great ideas. I love the idea of walking while talking on the phone. I could actually implement that one. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best.
Thanks for stopping by!! 🙂
I love these! I rarely do one thing at a time. I have one one of the best things to do is empty the dishwasher while waiting for my toast or my coffee. It doesn’t seem like you could get much done in 3 minutes, but you really can! Plus, it just gets it off my list of things that need to get done. #WelcomeHomeWednesday
Those are great ways to use NET time!! I often do the same types of things!!
Since blogging I use my NET for commenting on posts and linking up to linkies. I do them daily and probably join in over 20 of them so that on top of posts, collaborations etc I don’t get much time.
#brillblogposts
That is a great use of NET time!!!
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We’re so glad you party with us at Merry Monday. We always look forward to your projects.
Thanks so much Shirley!!
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