The term “slot” refers to a specific time in a program or schedule, or the position within a job or hierarchy. For example, an airport might use slots to determine when airplanes can take off and land during busy times, avoiding the frustration of long delays due to too many planes at the same time.
Another application of the slot-based method is determining when and where meetings will be held with colleagues, managers or executives. This can be an effective way to avoid scheduling conflicts and keep everyone informed about current expectations and operations.
Similarly, a slot in a video game refers to a specific spot on the reels that can be lined up for a win. Slots can also refer to a set of features or rewards that are added to the game, such as free spins and bonus games.
The term is also used in sports, such as the unmarked area in front of an opponent’s goal between two face-off circles on a hockey rink that allows speed players to get inside and outside, rather than being constrained by boundary cornerbacks who can only cover the arc of the wide receiver. To use the slot strategy, it’s important to decide during the week exactly what you want to do at the weekend and then jot it down so that you can book it in your diary or calendar. Leaving it to the last minute can result in missing out on activities that you might otherwise have enjoyed.