How to Wait With Purpose

Waiting. It’s more than a game, it’s a way of life for many of us: waiting for the next cashier, waiting for tickets to the latest flick, waiting to get that wart removed. Don’t waste that waiting time—it is found time, awaiting your use! Follow these steps to learn how to wait with purpose.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Canvas carry-all
• Bills
• Knitting
• Novels
• Laptop computer
• Arts/crafts supplies
• Yoga mat
• Checkbook
• Taxidermy equipment

1. Make a list of activities that can be done in the car, standing in line, sitting in a doctor’s office or lying on the operating table, before anesthesia kicks in.
2. Be prepared for when delays present themselves—keep your to-do list on you, along with knitting materials, your laptop, bills to pay, school forms to fill out and the manuals for your electronic devices that you never have time to read.
3. Disregard stares when you sit down in line, open up your laptop and type in your latest blog entry, memoir chapter, online grocery order or erotic missive.
4. Keep the car ready for use as a home office, art studio or PIlates station. You never know when you’re going to be stuck for hours behind a four-car accident on the freeway.
5. When you find yourself waiting—and empty handed—use the time to firm those buttocks! Squats can be done most anywhere with a level ground.
6. Wait with peace as a purpose: Close your eyes and assume a comfortable position (as comfortable as you are able in a small car, dentist’s office or elementary school hallway). Visualize inner peace, then world peace, then the end of road rage, childhood obesity and false memoirs. Emerge from your trance refreshed by your powerful thoughts, and the knowledge that you’ve put positive energy into the global karma.

Tips & Warnings

• Purpose can be pleasurable; keep a bodice ripper in your bag, a math puzzle in the glove compartment or a cell phone ready with a list of people you never have time to call.
• Your yoga mat can double as a napping area, when you discover extra time to kill.
• Keep a canvas carry-all with craft, scrap-booking, fine art or taxidermy supplies by the front door, to snatch up as you run out the door on errands.
• Waiting time can be used to tone other body parts besides buttocks: Drop and do 20 push-ups, strike a yoga pose, bring your body ball and increase your core strength or practice those kegels.
• Beware of becoming addicted to unstructured time, small spaces, napping in the car or reading novels while standing up. When you can’t wait to wait, it has become a problem.