"Stolen Time" - Work Tasks

What is "Stolen Time"
This thought evolved for me after a conversation on LinkedIn recently where a friend was wondering if she was a "bad mom" for sneaking away from the kids to do bits of work. 

My response? Heck no! You're a "good mom" for insuring your kids are happy, safe, and self-entertaining when they don't "need" you at this moment. Way to go!

Why the Guilt?
I'm not a fan of things (or people) that make me feel guilty. There should be no shame or guilt in maximizing your time and energy. This includes while you're on full parent duty or your attention is supposed to be fully in one place, yet you find your attention drifting or have a short window of time to insert something else to your advantage. 

Four Thousand Weeks
I highly recommend this book Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman. The general premise is, based on an average lifespan, we have roughly 4,000 weeks in this life. So how do we maximize that time?

Is This Multitasking?
I suggest no. Per Merriam-Webster, multitasking is "the performance of multiple tasks at one time." In 2006, the American Psychological Association cited multiple studies from as early as 1994 indicating multitasking actually isn't more efficient. 

"Stolen Time"
Rather than multitasking, what I suggest is instead making the most of unexpected short points of time that become available. 

• The kids are playing quietly and self-entertaining.
• Unexpected delay between flights
• Wrapped up a meeting quicker than scheduled
• Waiting room opportunities

Have Those Tasks Ready!
I suggest having a list of activities in mind or (better yet!) written that you can refer to on just such occasions. These activities are likely to vary in type for your setting, space available, and time available. Suggestions below are more in the 15 min time frame.

• Read - having a  book handy inches you closer to finishing it.
• Calendar - add those new appointments to your planner or get those tasks out of your head into a safe place. 
• Correspondence - you can at least jot some thoughts into a draft email or text. If you're a pen and paper person, keep a few cards with you.
• Work tasks - consider editing a paragraph, write a paragraph, open a few tabs to research later and save those links; continue your work activity in a small way.
• Admin tasks - prep that invoice, file/scan a couple of receipts, respond to a social message.

Go Ahead - Steal Time from that Clock!
You have my permission to maximize your time and energy! The kids will not always be small. Stealing time becomes a bit easier as they get older.

There are  other tasks you can consider in very short windows of time that move you forward in self-care or time with your family. We'll review a few of those next time. 

Are you a "Time Thief?" Do you "steal time" to work on other things? What very small tasks have you found that slip into such found moments?

If you're looking for someone to cover some of these tasks or help you maximize your special talents, Let's Chat! I have many skills that may fill in the gaps you're looking for. 

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