gpmt

Wasting time can be a great thing. Taking breaks and indulging in distractions gives your body and brain a chance to refresh and actually increases your output over the long haul. Study after study proves this.

The problem isn't when you decide to kick back. The problem is when you waste time without even realizing that's what you're doing. Spinning your wheels--engaging in pointless activities that don't help you move your company or your life forward--eats through your mental resources, frustrates your need for accomplishment, and is generally a short and sure route to burnout.

So what are these insidious activities that feel potentially important but are actually pretty worthless? The Web offers plenty of thoughtful suggestions, from the false productivity hack (that actually costs you time) to various forms of vanity and emotional drama that simply sap your energy. Here's a roundup.