Maximizing Productivity During Idle Time: Strategies for Work and Retirement
"Always keep your discrimination alive. Avoid those things that will not benefit you. And never pass your time in idleness"- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, Spiritual Diary May 19
Idle time, often perceived as an occupational hazard, can lead to feelings of frustration and disillusionment. This is a global concern affecting various employment sectors, including government and private organizations, entrepreneurs, car drivers, security guards, retail sales team etc. The pandemic has exacerbated this issue, particularly for self-employed individuals like taxi and rickshaw drivers, whose work is contingent on the fluctuating demand for travel.
Whether it's during the workday or post-retirement, effectively utilizing idle moments can lead to increased satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.
Car Drivers - For corporate car drivers, the long hours spent waiting between assignments are frequently unstructured and unaccounted for by employers. The office executives arrive in the office at morning hours say 9 am or 10 am, and generally return home by 6 or 7 pm. In most cases the privately owned car drivers have long hours of idle every day.
Self-employed people like TaxiCab Drivers, Tempo drivers, rickshaw drivers etc. situation is worse, as the travel requirements have reduced due to pandemic. And, they know they will not get paid at the end of the day if they do not have sufficient passengers, business for goods etc. I have been asking them what they do, and the answer is they talk to their friends or family members and listen to songs if they have a basic mobile phone. But, nowadays most of them have a smart phone with unlimited data plans (Thanks to Jio) they would watch random videos on Youtube or Facebook. Hence, we can conclude that in the case of corporate drivers, companies do not have a policy to utilize idle time for support teams. They simply ignore this issue, and do not consider it as a problem. This also means that there is no prospect of future growth of income for drivers apart from the routine annual hike. And they cannot aspire to lead a better life for their family.
Security Guards - Security guards in low-traffic areas find themselves with ample idle time, often resorting to smartphones for entertainment (playing games, watching reels and videos, whatsapp chat) which may not contribute to personal growth or income advancement. Recently, I recommended a productive activity to a security guard by sharing an audiobook of 'Autobiography of a Yogi' in Bengali. He found it enjoyable and expressed his appreciation.
The retail segment has the biggest hit, whether it's a retail showroom, or salon, or hotel or restaurant. Salespersons, Restaurant cooks and stewards are getting more idle time in this pandemic due to shift in online purchases. Leading to increased stress for both employer and employee.
Retail Showroom Salesperson - a typical retail showroom in a high street mall opens from 11 am to 8 pm (all 7 days a week). But most of the sales happen only on weekends between 6 - 8 pm. Apart from stock reconciliation or some training on new products, they do not have anything to do. So what is the salesperson supposed to do on the rest of the days?
Travelling time - For commuters, especially those in cities like Mumbai where travel can consume a significant portion of the day, the key is to turn transit time into learning time. Instead of the routine of watching videos, one could engage in various productive activities such as:
- Listening to educational podcasts or audiobooks that cover topics of personal or professional interest.
- Learning a new language through apps that offer lessons structured for busy individuals.
- Participating in online courses that can be consumed in short segments, perfect for the duration of a train ride.
Restaurant Staff - For restaurant staff who experience idle time during weekdays, this can be an excellent chance to:
- Develop new recipes or refine existing ones, enhancing the menu and culinary skills.
- Engage in online hospitality courses that improve customer service and management abilities.
- Organize team-building activities that foster a stronger, more cohesive work environment.
Gig & Delivery Team - In the current Indian market, a significant number of young individuals with two-wheelers are engaging in the app-based delivery sector, serving companies such as Swiggy, Zomato, Big Basket, Zepto, Urban Company etc. This trend spans various delivery services, including food, medicine, and groceries. However, there is an observable imbalance with a higher availability of delivery personnel relative to the demand in certain areas. The payment model adopted by these mobile app businesses is transactional, compensating delivery partners per order rather than a fixed wage, which mitigates financial risks for the companies.
Seasonal Businesses / teams - Event managers specializing in wedding management and wedding suppliers face slowdowns and idle times during "Off season". As most wedding dates are derived from a "Panchang" and depends on "Auspicious Dates or Shubh Tithi". Same is with Rakhi manufacturers, Festive gifts planners etc.
These are some of the categories of people who are essential for a company operation but are mostly under-utilized. Organizations can save billions of dollars if they have active programs to help utilize the occupational idle time to do something productive.
Following are some ideas for organizations to consider to break the work monotony: -
- Introduce job rotation for drivers, allowing them to engage in office tasks such as filing to break the routine.
- Provide training opportunities in essential skills like spoken English, document handling, banking procedures, and computer literacy through observation and participation with office colleagues.
- Establish a multilingual mini library in office, stocked with inspirational and motivational books accessible for employees during downtime.
Post-retirement, the abundance of free time can lead to feelings of loneliness or a lack of purpose. However, this period also presents a wealth of opportunities to:
- Volunteer in community services, which can provide a sense of fulfillment and social engagement. But the fear of rejection always looms.
- Pursue hobbies that were set aside during the working years, leading to new skills and possibly even a source of income.
- Mentor the younger generation by sharing valuable life and professional experiences.
Ideazfirst One recognizes the importance of an active development plan to boost productivity. By fostering initiative and creating resources like a mini library, organizations can empower their teams to make the most of their idle time. For tailored solutions that cater to specific team needs, Ideazfirst invites organizations to reach out for a consultation.
In conclusion, idle time need not be a source of frustration. With the right approach and resources, it can become a productive and enriching part of life, both during one's career and after retirement. For more information on how to implement these strategies, contact Team Ideazfirst at connect@ideazfirst.com or call 033 35509623 / 9830669066. Let's turn idle time into a productive asset.
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