- Offer to help a colleague or manager. …
- Organize and clean your workspace. …
- Go for a walk. …
- Clean your email inbox. …
- Read industry news. …
- Compile a list of contacts. …
- Record your voicemail greeting. …
- Write a note of appreciation.
I am reminded of the seasonality of business as we move into the gloomy winter months. There is a regular ebb and flow in most organizations. At certain times of the year, things are predictable busy, and at other times, they are predictable slow. December is always a thankfully slow month for my business, so I like to take advantage of it. I’ve been saving up for a whole list of projects all year, and I can’t wait to get started on them.
Sadly, despite the fact that slow periods are completely normal and frequently very predictable, many professionals neglect to adequately plan for them. As a result, they find themselves complaining about being bored and having trouble finding things to do. They hardly ever get to enjoy the slower pace because they worry that they’re not working as hard as they could or ought to.
Ways to be Productive during your Downtime at Work
What is downtime?
When workers are idle because of circumstances they cannot control, it is known as downtime. Unexpected events like equipment failures or power outages can cause downtime. Additionally, given the scarcity of available assignments, downtime may also happen. Planned downtime occurs frequently in businesses that follow seasonal cycles. To remain productive as an employee, it’s crucial to know how to handle downtime, whether it’s planned or unplanned.
What to do with downtime at work
Here are eight suggestions for things to do during downtime at work:
1. Offer to help a colleague or manager
If your coworker is having trouble meeting a deadline, you can offer to help. You can strengthen your relationships with your coworkers by doing this straightforward action. As an alternative, you could offer to help your manager or boss with a project that isn’t currently on your agenda. Because of the initiative, your superiors might be more likely to give you a promotion in the future.
2. Organize and clean your workspace
If you haven’t cleaned your workspace in months, you might want to. To make a more effective workspace that you can use when more assignments become available, throw away outdated materials and unnecessary items, and minimize visual clutter.
To sanitize your area, you can also use some cleaning supplies. For instance, to get rid of germs on the top of your desk, use antibacterial wipes. You can also clear the dust from your computer’s screen and keyboard using a washcloth and dusting spray.
3. Go for a walk
Consider getting up and going for a brief walk if you typically spend the majority of the day sitting motionless at your desk. You can go outside and take a short walk around the block to get some fresh air, unwind, and get ready for the upcoming work. You could also remain inside the office and visit your coworkers’ cubicles. This might give you the opportunity to converse with people you wouldn’t normally get the chance to.
This brief walk can be the ideal chance to establish relationships and strengthen bonds with your coworkers. During your walk, you might even run into your boss. If so, share the suggestions you’ve been gathering for how to improve your company with them. If your company has a gym, consider using it if you need another way to move around and reduce stress. Bring a coworker for some company, or go alone. Even a quick workout can help you unwind and focus.
4. Clean your email inbox
When you have many assignments to finish, it’s simple to allow spam emails to build up in your inbox. Examine all of your spam emails if you have some spare time. Block unwanted senders and unsubscribe to irrelevant newsletters. These steps can stop the future accumulation of unwanted emails. Additionally, you can purge other unimportant emails from your main folder, and you can check your spam folder to make sure no important emails accidentally ended up there.
5. Read industry news
Reading industry news and any educational materials that can advance your career is one of the best ways to spend your downtime at work. Find recent press releases and news articles about your industry. You can also subscribe to relevant newsletters that interest you.
This kind of media consumption can be beneficial, and you can also express your conclusions in writing. Keep a record of the information you learned from your research and consider how it relates to the work that your company is currently doing. Then, think about communicating your findings to your manager or your coworkers. As a result, other workers can use their downtime to increase their value to your company.
6. Compile a list of contacts
Having a list of contacts on hand can be useful regardless of the industry you work in. During a typical business day, you might not have enough time to put this list together, but you can do it whenever you have some free time. Your coworkers, managers, and people you met at conferences and conventions may be on this list.
With columns for the contacts’ first and last names, email addresses, job titles, work phone numbers, and personal phone numbers, create your list in a spreadsheet program. You can arrange the data however you like, whether it be by alphabetical order or according to your working relationship with them. Making this list can facilitate networking and make it easier to get in touch with people.
7. Record your voicemail greeting
If the voicemail greeting on your current work phone is the default setting, record a customized one. Include your name, the name of your organization, and a request for the caller to leave a message. Shorten your message to avoid losing the callers’ attention.
Consider leaving a recorded message letting the caller know when you’ll be returning to the office if you’re going on vacation. Give the caller information on who else they can contact for a faster response. When you get back from your vacation, make sure to change your voicemail greeting to your usual one.
8. Write a note of appreciation
You can express your gratitude for what someone has done to advance your career by sending them a thank you note. You might acknowledge a coworker’s most recent contribution to your project or a former professor’s letter of recommendation. Think about composing a brief email or a handwritten note and delivering it in person to express your gratitude.
FAQ
What do you usually do during your downtime?
- Exercise. Conventionally defined “successful” people often exercise regularly. …
- Have fun. Have fun? …
- Meditate. You’ll wonder what you did before meditation if you take the time to learn the proper techniques.
- Read. …
- Learn. …
- Volunteer. …
- Network. …
- Appreciate loved ones.
How do you deal with a slow day at work?
- Read up on work-related topics. …
- Organize your inbox. …
- Plan ahead. …
- Entertain yourself. …
- Offer your help to coworkers. …
- Declutter your workspace. …
- Develop your skills. …
- Doodle.
Is it normal to have a lot of downtime at work?
According to the study, three hours of downtime per day is too much and can result in boredom and other negative effects. According to Morris, employees are more likely to quit their jobs as a result of too much downtime than to be fired because of it.
What do you do when you have no tasks at work?
- Revisit paused projects. …
- Ask your coworkers how you can help. …
- Schedule a meeting with your manager. …
- Spend time brainstorming. …
- Take a break. …
- Job shadow a coworker. …
- Sign up for a training. …
- Evaluate your role.
