A staggering 40 days every year are wasted by the average person, according to a new survey.
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) revealed the findings as part of a campaign to counteract the perception that people don't have time to learn.
A total of 1,658 people were quizzed as part of the survey, which found that 80% admitted to some form of time wasting every day. Around half claimed to waste two to three hours a day.
When it came to identifying the main causes of wasted time, the survey found that 42% of people blamed having to wait around for other people; other offenders included queuing, clearing up after others and having to hold on the phone.
Chris Banks, chairman of the LSC, said: "It's clear that people waste a lot of time, but it's also clear that people are willing to make better use of their time. If we all spent two and a half hours a day learning something new, we'd all benefit hugely.
"Modern learning comes in all shapes and sizes, and with flexible courses on offer there is something out there for everyone.