What do you tend to do with short blocks of time at work? Maybe you have a gap between client calls or you’re awaiting feedback on a project. You can use those little pockets of time — even if they’re just 15 minutes — to make progress.

JiJi Lee, a contributor to the Ink + Volt blog, says it’s a common misconception that you need hours of uninterrupted time to be productive. Instead, you just need 15 minutes. When you have a short block of time, you’re more likely to harness your focus and concentration. And if you have 15 minutes in a particularly hectic day, taking a quick break can be incredibly restorative.

In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we share some of Lee’s ideas on how you can maximize 15 minutes.

Catch up on industry media. We’re partial to the PPAI Newslink newsletter and PPAI Magazine, of course. Instead of reaching for your phone or scrolling social media, use these to stay current on industry happenings and glean some useful insight.

Go for a walk. If possible, go for a stroll. Lee says getting outside and moving for 15 minutes can reinvigorate you.

Go for a writing sprint. Struggling with writing prospect emails? Set a timer and write what you can in 15 minutes. When you work in a short burst, Lee says you won’t have time to fixate on typos or obsess over crafting the perfect sentence.

Plan your schedule for next week. What deadlines or appointments are coming up? When you take a minute to identify upcoming priorities, you can work more mindfully. Lee recommends writing things down so you have a visual reminder.

Reflect on your progress. Use 15 minutes to think about what went well last week and what you could have done differently. She recommends also considering what made you happy and what challenges you faced. A weekly reflection is a good habit to build.

Do a quick exercise routine. You don’t need a trip to the gym or a big block of time to reap the benefits of exercise. Whether you go for a quick run, do some light stretches or put on some music and dance, Lee says you can get the blood flowing and benefit from a boost of feel-good endorphins.

Clean up. Set a timer for 15 minutes and tidy up your office or workspace. File away or discard any papers and dust your desk and computer. You could also do a digital cleanup by organizing your files and deleting any emails you don’t need.

Do nothing. Allow yourself to take a breather. Lee says you could stare off into space, gaze out a window or look at the sky. Sometimes, doing nothing at all, especially after you’ve been so productive all day, can be the best thing for you.

The next time you find yourself with a small chunk of time, don’t fritter it away. Whether you use a few free minutes to organize your desk, clean up your inbox or just recharge and refocus, make sure you maximize the 15-minute windows that pop up in your day.  

Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: JiJi Lee contributes to the Ink + Volt blog. She’s a also a humor writer and performer.