This article was co-authored by Sydney Axelrod and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Sydney Axelrod is a certified life coach and the owner of Sydney Axelrod LLC, a life coaching business focused on professional and personal development. Through one-on-one coaching, digital courses, and group workshops, Sydney works with clients to discover their purpose, navigate life transitions, and set and accomplish goals. Sydney has over 1,000 hours of relevant coaching certifications and holds a BBA in Marketing and Finance from Emory University.
There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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If time truly does fly when you’re having fun, it seems to screech to a grinding halt during life’s less fun moments, like school and work. How are you supposed to make it through a long, boring day without completely pulling your hair out? Not to worry—you’ve come to the right article. We’ve put together plenty of easy tips and tricks that will help speed up your internal clock. Looking for ways to kill some free time? Scroll to the bottom half of the article for some fun, leisurely suggestions to stop your boredom in its tracks.
Best Ways to Pass Time Quickly
- Do your best not to stare at the clock or your watch.
- Break your schedule down into smaller blocks or chunks.
- Split large or complicated tasks into smaller steps.
- Put on some non-distracting music or TV in the background.
- Practice a hobby or do something you enjoy.
- Try to focus and get into the “flow” state.
- Journal about your thoughts and observations.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I make time go by faster when I'm waiting for my flight?Paul Chernyak, LPCPaul Chernyak is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Chicago. He graduated from the American School of Professional Psychology in 2011.
Licensed Professional CounselorBring something to the airport to entertain yourself with while you wait for your flight. Listen to music on your phone or bring a good book with you to pass the time. -
QuestionI stay at home all day to take care of my 5 month old daughter, which can sometimes be boring. What can I do to pass the time?Paul Chernyak, LPCPaul Chernyak is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Chicago. He graduated from the American School of Professional Psychology in 2011.
Licensed Professional CounselorConsider making friends with other new parents in your area and getting together for "play dates" to get out of the house and enjoy passing the time. You may also consider taking walks somewhere outdoors, like a park, while pushing your daughter in a stroller. -
QuestionI'm waiting to go to my friend's house, and I have nothing to do. I have at least six hours before I go, what should I do to make time go faster?Community AnswerWatch TV, read a book, imagine what it will be like once you get to her house, go outside and enjoy nature, play with pets/siblings/parents, search the web for cool games, play solitaire, listen to music, grab a snack, or do anything else that sounds cool to you. Those are just some ideas to get you started.
Video
Reader Videos
Tips
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A power nap can be a handy way to pass a small chunk of time relatively quickly. Plus, it can help you feel more alert and productive![15]Thanks
Tips from our Readers
- Have a group text with some friends! (It's usually better if they know each other.) Do something over that chat, like talk about a topic, role play, get advice, whatever. It'll help pass the time really fast.
- If you are waiting for a holiday or something special, decorate your room for it. But only focus on one part per day. That way, you have something to look forward to and something to do each day.
- If you're anticipating something, don't think about too much. It will only make you more anxious and time will go by much slower. Instead, distract yourself with doing things you love.
- Be quite + listen to the sounds around you. Then make up a story based on what you hear and write it down. Don't hesitate or you have done it wrong. That way, time goes by quickly.
References
- ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/332290
- ↑ https://www.fastcompany.com/3064113/how-to-trick-your-brain-to-slow-down-time
- ↑ https://news.uga.edu/break-large-tasks-down-into-smaller-more-manageable-pieces/
- ↑ https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/379309
- ↑ https://www.inc.com/scott-mautz/science-says-you-get-astonishing-productivity-boosts-by-listening-to-music-just-follow-these-6-rules.html
- ↑ https://www.calm.com/blog/how-to-be-more-present
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201212/why-time-flies-you-age
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6042233/
- ↑ https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/01/covid19-coronavirus-lockdown-time/
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/oct/13/mental-exercises-to-keep-your-brain-sharp
- ↑ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/reading-books-a-great-way-to-pass-the-time/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happy-trails/201509/six-reasons-get-hobby
- ↑ https://iajw.org/how-to-journal-complete-guide/#journaling-benefits
- ↑ Sydney Axelrod. Certified Life Coach. Expert Interview. 30 June 2020.
- ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/napping
About This Article
Reader Success Stories
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"I'm currently waiting for something to finish downloading. Somebody said it would take up to 2 or 3 hours! I wanted to pass time, and I'd have never thought of watching a TV program I've not seen for a while. Thank you."..." more