What To Do When You Have 20 Minutes to Spare

Let’s be clear: we cannot save time. We can only manage our time.

Time is a measure of moments, periods and duration. It is an abstract concept yet it is so real in how we spend it. Unlike currency, time is not something tangible that we can put in a bank vault or safe-deposit box, only to draw upon it when we need to. Fitness is something else worth investing, for we can draw upon it when we decide to, at our own expense. However fitness is a temporal thing for it diminishes with time, however relative to each component: flexibility, strength, power, agility, endurance, and stamina.

What can we, purposefully, do with a finite packet of time of 20 minutes – about the minimal time to activate our aerobic (cardiovascular) fitness?

1)    Post on Facebook the launch of a charity event (this morning, I received great community support for an event focused on physically-challenged athletes). As a result, I have decided to make a financial and volunteer pledge.

2)    Share an article online, with your comments, about something useful with your friends.

3)    Send an electronic mail to one or two friends you have not been in recent contact with.

4)    Send several SMS text (written in grammatically correct language) messages to re-connect with somebody on your electronic Phonebook.

5)    Read several online articles and, perhaps, post your feedback. You might get a reply from the writer,, and connect with a resource in future.

6)    Edit your corporate newsletter, report, electronic mail, or blog (previous articles).

7)    Do a CrossFit session, or creatively work out an intense but short circuit training session to work major muscle groups.

8)    Clean your bicycle: totally degrease the chain, re-lube it, and wipe your frame down with a moist cloth.

9)    Learn something online. Google it up. Wiki it up. Read a chapter off your new book.

10) Check a new word. Translate it into languages you are familiar with, and check its accuracy.

11) Do a stretching session, focusing on any injury-prone areas, existing injuries, or very tight spots (back).

12) Send questions to experts on your Facebook or Twitter account. Learn voraciously. Make learning a habit.

13) Watch an online presentation, like TED.COM. View YouTube for lectures and presentation by celebrities and renowned speakers (example: Richard Feynman on his Physics lectures - Six Easy Pieces).

14) Meet a colleague at his her office and bounce a few ideas off them. Seek a second and third opinion.

15) Do a body check: Do you need to drink water? Would it be a time to take in some nutrition? Make a whey protein smoothie, peanut-butter sandwich, or drink a glass of water – and do something else to fill up the remainder of the 20 minutes.

16) Add to this list.

Be flexible in your use of time. Be purposeful. By the way, this post took 20 minutes to write. 20 minutes spent with intent can go a long way toward enriching your life.

Elastic Laces, Elastic Bands and Being Flexible

I was taught by my coach to fix my bike-shoes onto my pedals in advance, so that my Transition 1 would be faster. To facilitate my mount onto my bike, my shoes are attached, with elastic bands, onto the rear wheel. This keeps the shoes parallel to each other, and do not drag on the floor. Upon mounting my bike, I can begin peddling (feet on my shoes) and the elastic bands will snap upon spinning.

Elastic laces are useful attachments. Instead of lengthy laces that flail during the run, and take a little more time to tie a ribbon with, elastic laces are more relevant during the ride-run transition (2). When affixed and cut to the required length, all we need to do is slip our socked feet into them, and then tighten then retaining locks. Then, off we go! To put on lock-laces, or similar devices, here are clear instructions.

Between the two elastics, the laces cost more, however they can last for at least a dozen races. The rubber bands cost no more than searching for them, and they are ubiquitous in our environment. We use these springy materials creatively to allow us to safe time, thus becoming more efficient.

Leadership Lessons: How do you facilitate your meetings? How do you facilitate productive conversations with your colleagues and customers? How do you stay flexible in the presence of tension or conflict?