21 Things You Could Do In Just 5 Minutes

Life moves pretty fast.

Often, we let it slip by.

Bit-by-bit. Minute-by-minute.

Are you letting your time slip by?

The Potential of Just a Few Minutes

Want more time in your day?

I can’t help you there.

We all get the same amount each day.

But, you can make more of the time you have.

You can be more productive. Not letting life’s little moments slip by.

The few minutes before a meeting. The short time waiting for something or someone.

“5 minutes is more than enough time to get a small task done.

And small tasks add up to big productivity.”

Don’t underestimate the power to make the most of even five minutes.

You can get something done or even just enjoy being where you are.

What Can You Fit Into Life’s Little Moments?

It is not always the big time periods.

Sometimes, what matters most, is what you do with the little times.

Here is a list of 21 Things You Could Do in Just 5 Minutes…

  1. Answer 5 emails.
  2. Return a phone call.
  3. Read a few pages of a book. (On your phone or iPad.)
  4. Tell someone how much you appreciate them.
  5. Listen to someone tell you a story. (And just be there.)
  6. Write in your journal. It doesn’t have to be long. A few notes here and there add up quickly.
  7. Pay someone a compliment.
  8. Do a favor for someone. (Even a stranger…)
  9. Review your calendar.
  10. Affirm your goals. (They are written down, right?)
  11. Listen to a motivation song.
  12. Check your todo list. (If you don’t look at it, it can’t have your back.)
  13. Clean your workspace.
  14. Go for a walk, around the office.
  15. Text someone just to say you love or miss them.
  16. Do a quick task. (Or even a couple.)
  17. Delegate an item that you have been holding up.
  18. Slow down and catch your breath.
  19. Add a new phone number to your address book.
  20. Do some preventative maintenance. (Before there is an issue!)
  21. Enjoy where you are… you will never be in that exact moment again.

Just 5 Minutes

It’s not about cramming more and more into the day.

It’s not about constantly running yourself ragged.

However, it is about making the most of your time.

It is about enjoying yourself and not letting life’s small minutes slip by.

So, what are you going to do with those 5 minutes?

Question: What do you get done when you find yourself with just a few minutes?

54 thoughts on “21 Things You Could Do In Just 5 Minutes

  1. Great post!  Time really fly so fast.  Sometimes we can’t notice it.  I don’t think it’s only 21, but more than that you can do in just 5 minutes.  Anyhow, thanks a lot for the post,  it was a good read today.  =)

    1. Taking a moment for your journal is often one of those things you have to be intentional about. 🙂

      I find if I just do short entries… I am more likely to do it. A few sentences here or there… and it adds up. 

    2. thank you for the insight! wow! you really inspired me with that advanced and helpful comment!!!!!! Keep inspiring me and the world with amazing insights!!!!!! I can’t thank you enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Craig,
    I like this list a lot. When I saw the title, I was afraid it was going to be ways to make every tiny little moment super-productive. Instead, it includes ways to rest intentionally, and refresh the mind for whatever comes next. Hooray!

  3. Fantastic list! Having kids and music career, my life is full of ‘5 minutes’… if I didn’t use them I would get nothing done.

  4. I like to have a section on my to do list for things I can do quick.  If I don’t have them written down, I don’t remember them or think of them.  I like to have 5 or so on my list.  Then when I’m between things or have a minute . . .

  5. Silly as it might sound. Water some plants, play with a dog/cat, feed your fish. Having animals or plants in your office/home and seeing their growth and stress free life is a great reminder of your own.

  6. Wow!  What a great idea for an app!  Got 5 minutes? Click your randomizer app and a quick -tip appears…. a tip that hopefully gets you OFF the gadget that houses the app, since that darned device can suck 5 minutes (and much, much more) out of your day easily and oh-so unproductively!  You could even call something like “Got 5?”

    Ok…. if anyone develops it, I want a free copy!

  7. I like to empty the dishwasher whilst I wait for water to boil for a cup of tea. Not quite the same thing, but still, something that takes a lot less time than you think. 

  8. Great post. I completely agree with the importance of each and every moment. People usually ask me how do I manage things and it’s exactly the 5 minutes here and there, plus perseverance and hard work that take you where you want to be. Thanks about this. 

  9. These are really awesome tips, thanks …  I shared theses with my networking group. I need more than 5 minutes to “Slow down and catch my breath.” but great advice.

  10. Most of us here ‘got’ it, but not with the focus/direction this provides. Just wrote me 14 tasks 5 min each. NOW, I can ‘see’ more clearly. This victory before victory was lacking.Thanks!

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