How much time do you waste on hold? Many folks sit at their desks, or in a chair at home, tapping a pencil, getting frustrated, and listening to canned music. By the time the person you're holding for comes back on the line, you've not only wasted valuable time but you're steaming.

Hanging out in the endless wastelands of Hold can actually become a productive activity if you're prepared for it. As a first step, use a cordless phone if possible (or one with a very long cord) so you're free to move about. Here are a few tings to do during those lapses:

• Fold a load of laundry.
• File whatever's in your filing basket.
• Dust something.
• Read the article you marked in last week's business newspaper or journal.
• Balance your checkbook.
• Check your child's math homework or book report.
• Chop veggies for tomorrow night's soup and put them in a plastic bag for easy access.
• Do some research on the Web.
• Water the plants.
• Write a thank-you note, get-well card, or other short, kind piece of correspondence; it will put you in a sweeter frame of mind for the customer service rep who finally gets back to you.

Remember, Monday mornings, Friday afternoons, and lunch hours are the worst times to call any business. You're much less likely to be put on hold if you call at other times.