The art of a lunch hour
1 hour - 60 minutes. There seems to be great possibilities for that length of time. However, I'm beginning to question the capacity of a lunch hour. Perhaps it's more of an art. In the past couple of weeks, I've done a variety of things with my 60 minutes and I'm still debating what was the best/most efficient/most productive/most rewarding use of time.
It takes me about 10 minutes to walk from my office to the parking garage and get my car out of the garage. This same time must be allotted on the return to my office. This leaves about 40 minutes to do anything that requires traveling by car. A few weeks ago, I managed to shop at the Halloween store and still spend $70.00 at Kohls. That was one of the more productive days. (Note - lunch didn't occur until I was back at my desk.) However, last week I went to pick up a prescription and just wanted to drop in the mall to go to Gymboree. At 12:50, I still needed to grab lunch (a couple tacos at TB). Crap! How did that happen? Apparently I haven't mastered the art of shopping/erranding at lunch hour. In fact, it just stresses me out but I don't always have other options, needing to get home right after work. When it's 20 miles back to town, I'm not willing to make a trip back on $3.20 gas.
So, I'm not so good at erranding but I have had some "good use of time" lunch hours too. Take today for instance. I went down the hall to get a cup of soup to eat with the salad I brought with me from hom. I ate my lunch at my desk while checking local and national news on the web. Then, I went for a short walk (got stuck in the rain) to get some fresh air on a unseasonably warm day. I've been taking 30 minute walks with Joanna and still having time to eat/surf/etc. That's been a great way to get a little activity in daily.
Although I must say that my lunch hours at home seem to be the most productive. While working at home last week, I went to the grocery, baked cupcakes, made lunch and did laundry all on my lunch hour. I guess when there are tasks around me to accomplish and I want to use the time efficiently, I can really crank out some work. That's the true art of a lunch hour.
What's your favorite or most productive way to spend your 60 minutes?
It takes me about 10 minutes to walk from my office to the parking garage and get my car out of the garage. This same time must be allotted on the return to my office. This leaves about 40 minutes to do anything that requires traveling by car. A few weeks ago, I managed to shop at the Halloween store and still spend $70.00 at Kohls. That was one of the more productive days. (Note - lunch didn't occur until I was back at my desk.) However, last week I went to pick up a prescription and just wanted to drop in the mall to go to Gymboree. At 12:50, I still needed to grab lunch (a couple tacos at TB). Crap! How did that happen? Apparently I haven't mastered the art of shopping/erranding at lunch hour. In fact, it just stresses me out but I don't always have other options, needing to get home right after work. When it's 20 miles back to town, I'm not willing to make a trip back on $3.20 gas.
So, I'm not so good at erranding but I have had some "good use of time" lunch hours too. Take today for instance. I went down the hall to get a cup of soup to eat with the salad I brought with me from hom. I ate my lunch at my desk while checking local and national news on the web. Then, I went for a short walk (got stuck in the rain) to get some fresh air on a unseasonably warm day. I've been taking 30 minute walks with Joanna and still having time to eat/surf/etc. That's been a great way to get a little activity in daily.
Although I must say that my lunch hours at home seem to be the most productive. While working at home last week, I went to the grocery, baked cupcakes, made lunch and did laundry all on my lunch hour. I guess when there are tasks around me to accomplish and I want to use the time efficiently, I can really crank out some work. That's the true art of a lunch hour.
What's your favorite or most productive way to spend your 60 minutes?
posted by MJ at
12:56 PM
2 Comments:
I like your post. For me, it all depends on the day. My "old job" (gee, it feels good to say that...) had yoga at lunch on Wednesdays. I tried that a few times, altho it was only a 30 minute session, and it felt great. In my opinion, any type of break AWAY from the computer is healthy. A walk, an errand, a nap...anything! Computers are evil and make us fat. LOL. When I'm working at home, I agree that it is easier to be productive. A few quick cleaning tasks and a sandwich are much more achievable when you're at home. Maybe the real secret is variety. You know, make Tuesday your errand day, but try to get some exercise other days...or something like that??? Good luck mastering those 60 minutes! XO
By
badger girl, At
10:35 AM
I only have a 30 minute lunch and I rarely use up all of my minutes. My new favorite thing is to "work" through lunch and take off a half an hour early. I keep thinking I should walk during lunch but I think the guys on lunch at the factory next door might think I'm weird if I walk back and forth for a half an hour.
By
Anonymous, At
12:16 PM
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