In my opinion, there’s no truer saying than time is money.
It’s one of those few things that when you lose, you can’t regain. So, as an adult, especially, you must watch out for things that waste your time.
The reason might sound exaggerated, but it is true: wasting your time is tantamount to wasting your life. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to waste my life on things that amount to nothing.
But I bet I’m not alone with this. So, if you want to learn those useless things you need to stop doing, keep reading.
10 Pointless Things That Waste Your Time
Here are activities that sabotage your productivity:
1. Mindless Scrolling/Entertainment
This happens to the best of us; you pick up your phone to check one thing, and before you know it, an hour is gone.
We’ve all been there, but it’s something we must watch out for because mindless scrolling doesn’t just eat your time, it drains your focus and motivation too.
While it feels relaxing in the moment, it often leaves you feeling more tired or empty afterwards. So instead of letting algorithms decide how you spend your day, ensure to set limits.
Watch that one video, then put your phone down. And if you find you are not disciplined enough, leverage apps that help measure the time you spend on your phone.
Personally, I use an app block that blocks out my access to certain apps during my work and sleep time. Some others monitor how long you spend on a particular app at a time. For instance, you could set the time to only spend 10 minutes per time, and the blocker will block you out at the set time.
2. Procrastination
Like mindless scrolling, you tell yourself you’ll start in five minutes, but somehow, those five minutes turn into tomorrow, then next week, and then, before you know it, six months have passed.
The worst thing about procrastination is that it tricks you into feeling productive because you keep “planning” or “waiting for the right time.” But the truth is that there’s never a perfect moment; you just need to start.
Start small, if you can. Just start doing one thing; you will notice that it breaks the mental block. If you delay instead, the heavier the task will feel. So stop waiting to feel ready.
Start now, even if you do it halfway; progress beats perfection every single time.
3. Multi-tasking
Multi-tasking sounds productive, but it’s actually not.
When you try to do too many things at once, you end up doing none of them well. Because your brain switches back and forth, and you end up wasting energy trying to refocus.
By the end, you’ve exhausted yourself but not really accomplished much.
So, it’s better to give your full attention to one task, finish it, and then move to the next. You’ll notice how much faster and better you get things done.
Also Read: 12 Time Management Tips for Young Professionals
4. Extended Bedtime
Another time-wasting activity is staying in bed longer than you should the next day because you spent the night, phone in hand, convincing yourself one more video won’t hurt.
Doing that makes you stay up longer than you should, doing nothing truly restful, then waking up groggy and unmotivated.
A better habit is to set a wind-down time and stick to it. Put your phone away early, dim the lights, and let your body rest. So, you can wake up the next day ready to hit the ground running.
5. Disorganisation
Disorganisation steals your day because you will likely spend half your time looking for things or figuring out what to do next, instead of actually doing the work.
If you want to be productive, you need a decluttered space, as you can’t think straight when everything feels scattered.
So, before you start your work or the day before, make sure to tidy up your work area or create a simple to-do list.
Even a little structure helps you stay on track and feel in control.
6. Waiting for Inspiration
Yeah, this is another thing we do that makes us feel we are being productive, but it’s a complete waste of time.
Waiting to feel inspired or for the perfect idea does nothing for you; all it does is keep you in one position. Creativity and motivation often come after you start, not before.
Also, perfection is an illusion. Instead of waiting for the right mood, start doing something, even if it’s messy. Trust me, once you’re in motion, you will get clarity.
Plus, you can always refine what you have later, but you can’t fix what doesn’t exist.
7. Lack of Priority
You can’t do everything, and that’s okay. Or at least, not at once. The problem is when you spend your best hours on unimportant things while leaving the essential things unattended to.
Checking emails, running small errands, or saying yes to everyone’s requests might feel productive, but they often pull you away from what really matters.
Learn to ask, “Is this important right now?” before saying yes to anything. And if it isn’t, focus on what actually moves your life or goals forward, leaving the less important ones for later.
Also Read: 12 Productivity Tips for Young Professionals to Stay Relevant
8. Pessimism
When you always expect the worst, you will waste time talking yourself out of opportunities. Also, pessimism kills your momentum because it convinces you not to try at all.
But instead of thinking about what could go wrong, shift your focus to what could go right, or at least what you’ll learn through the process.
It takes the same energy required to think negatively to think positively. So, if I were you, I would choose the latter.
It opens doors, while constant negativity keeps you stuck in the same place, overanalysing life instead of living it.
9. Overthinking
As a self-diagnosed overthinker, I will be the first to tell you that overthinking is a wasteful venture.
It keeps you replaying conversations, doubting decisions, and imagining problems that don’t even exist. And while you’re busy analysing every angle, time keeps moving.
Trust me, it’s always better to act, learn, and adjust than to sit paralysed by “what ifs.” So, anytime you catch yourself spiralling, remind yourself that clarity often comes from actually taking action.
And sometimes, doing something – anything – is what frees you from your own head.
10. Toxic Relationships
Some people drain you more than they support you. When you are around toxic people, you will spend time explaining yourself, managing their moods, or fixing problems that aren’t yours.
That’s time and energy you’ll never get back.
Besides wasting your time, they chip away at your peace and productivity as well. But you don’t have to subject yourself to that; it’s okay to walk away or set boundaries.
It’s alright to surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you, not those who keep you emotionally exhausted.
FAQs
1. Why do I keep wasting time even when I know I shouldn’t?
Because awareness alone doesn’t change habits. Most time-wasting behaviours are built on comfort and routine. You reach for your phone, procrastinate, or overthink because it feels easier in the moment. The key is to notice your triggers and replace them with small, deliberate actions that pull you back on track.
2. Is it okay to relax or do “unproductive” things sometimes?
Absolutely. Rest isn’t wasted time; it’s recovery. The problem starts when rest turns into avoidance or distraction. Watching a show, scrolling a bit, or doing something lighthearted is fine, as long as it’s intentional, not impulsive.
3. How do I know if I’m multitasking too much?
If you constantly feel busy but rarely finish things, that’s a sign that you might be splitting your attention too often. Try focusing on one task for 25–30 minutes at a time. You’ll likely feel calmer and notice your productivity improve almost immediately.
4. What’s the difference between overthinking and being careful?
Being careful involves planning and problem-solving with purpose. On the other hand, overthinking traps you in endless “what ifs” that lead nowhere. If your thoughts don’t lead to action or clarity, you’re overthinking.
5. How can I stop procrastinating for good?
Start by doing the smallest possible version of what you’ve been avoiding. If you need to write, open the document and type one sentence. Action breaks the mental resistance that keeps you stuck. And once you start, momentum builds naturally.
6. Why does waiting for inspiration feel so tempting?
Because it gives you an excuse not to face discomfort. The idea of “waiting for the right moment” feels safe, but it’s really fear dressed up as patience. Inspiration usually meets you halfway, after you begin.
7. What’s one practical way to stop wasting time every day?
Plan your day around priorities, not tasks. Identify two or three things that truly matter and start with them. That single shift helps you stay focused and makes it easier to say no to distractions.
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