Hot Water Bottle, Cold Truth: Why I Stopped Wasting Time Waiting for the Kettle

It’s late, I’m tired, and I just want to get into bed. But first, the ritual, filling my hot water bottle. So, I put the kettle on. And then… what? Do I stand there, waiting for it to boil, doing absolutely nothing? Or do I wander off and risk forgetting about it, only to come back to a kettle that’s gone cold again? Neither option feels great. And this is where my Lean Brain kicks in.

Boiling Water: The Waiting Game

At first, I just stood there. It must be nearly done…Maybe 30 more seconds…Nope. Still going. I’d check my phone. Stare at the kettle. Complete waste of time. Then, one night, curiosity got the better of me. "How long does this actually take?" So, I timed it.

3 minutes if I reboil water that’s already warm.

4 minutes from cold.

Four whole minutes of me doing nothing but waiting. Four minutes that I could have used for literally anything else.

Eliminating Idle Time with a Simple Fix

Now, I set a timer the second I turn the kettle on. And in those 3-4 minutes, I don’t just wait, I do something useful.

If it’s morning, I use those 4 minutes to pack my bag for the day.

If it’s bedtime, I take that time to fluff my pillows and lay out tomorrow’s clothes.

If I’m feeling particularly lazy, I’ll at least load the dishwasher or wipe down the counter.

I’ve actually improved on that. Instead of finding something off-the-cuff to do, I’ve learned to have something ready to do during those 3–4 minutes. And, instead of walking off (Motion Waste) to do something, I optimise the 3-4 mins I have & do things around the tea-station. Improvements:

I line up mini kitchen chores that slot neatly into that timeframe, wipe down the surfaces, refill the tea caddy, empty the bin liner.

I stay in the same vicinity, no walking off and wasting time in motion or having to walk back mid-flow.

It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing things with intention. Now, by the time the timer beeps? The kettle is ready, and so is everything else.

Lean Thinking: Every Process Has Hidden Waste

It’s such a tiny thing, but once you see it, you can’t unsee it. It never ends! Every process has wasted seconds hidden in plain sight, the little bits of dead time that we accept without question. It’s not just about being “productive”, it’s about using those gaps for value-added moments, big or small.

Microwave countdown → Do you just stand there, or do you use those seconds to put something away?

Lifting weights at the gym → Do you scroll your phone between sets, or do you stretch out tight muscles?

Waiting for a file to download → Do you stare at the screen, or check your task list for the next thing?

It’s not about filling every second with work, it’s about removing unnecessary, passive waiting so that things flow better.

Working from home and glued to your desk all day?

Those dead-time waiting minutes are perfect for a micro stretch, a mobility snack, or a few wall push-ups. It’s movement that breaks the sedentary routine, without taking time away from anything else.

Lean isn’t always about more work. Sometimes, it’s about using tiny windows to support your body, your energy, or your space.

The Hot Water Bottle Routine, Upgraded

Now, every night, I know exactly how long it takes to get my hot water bottle ready.

If I reboil warm water → 3 minutes

If I start from cold → 4 minutes

And I always have a plan for what I’ll do in that time. A small change. A 3-second decision that eliminates 4 minutes of waste. This is Lean Thinking in real life, not just optimising for speed, but making life flow better.

Your Turn: What’s Your Dead Time Hack?

I know I’m not the only one who can’t stand pointless waiting. So tell me, what’s your version of the hot water bottle timer? Where have you spotted hidden wasted time in your day and found a simple, Lean way to use it better?

Drop a comment, I’d love to hear it!