What to Do at Work When There Is No Work

70 (Productive) Things to Do When You're Bored at Work

Boredom happens, but can you channel that 3 PM slump into serious productivity? We think so. Here are 70+ ways to turn your boredom upside-down.

Look, feeling burnt out is sometimes a harsh reality.

And often, feeling bored at work is okay, actually. But then there are the days when you're looking at the clock, and 2:42 PM is staring back at you. 2:42 PM, and you've already finished your to-do list and you're staring at your chipped nail polish, considering whether to spend the next 12 minutes picking it off.

When used correctly, boredom at work doesn't have to be a negative thing at all. Forbes explains that up to 90 percent of all American adults deal with boredom. It's a common phenomenon—and one that creates a natural ebb to the flow of your workday. This ebb of boredom creates an open space for you that can inspire creativity, motivate you to incite change, and allow you the time to create that change.

Authors David Sturt and Todd Nordstrom argue that boredom most often comes from monotony. So if you find yourself dealing with it, take it as a sign to break things up! Create a challenge or change for yourself, whether it's in your normal workday routine or your career as a whole.

It's time to use your boredom to do something challenging. Something maybe (dare we say it?) a little fun. You with us? Great. Here are 70 options that will fill your time and improve your career.

There are lots of ideas on this list. Want to jump ahead? These links will take you to the specific section you're looking for.

Email Edition
The Great Laptop Cleanup
The Office Makeover
Self-Improvement Tactics
Skills-Building
Leadership Strategy
Finances
LinkedIn
Social Media Strategy
Productivity Tactics

What to Do When You're Bored at Work: Email Edition

Does your inbox need a little...help? Yes, ours too. From organizing your folders to updating your signature, use an afternoon where you'd normally feel bored to give your inbox a glow-up. These activities offer the added benefit of making you more productive—no more wasted time searching for specific emails or deleting the ones you never read.

1. Go through your spam folder.

Seriously, when was the last time you did that?

2. Unsubscribe from 10 newsletters.

You've gotten used to ignoring them, right? Well, now's the time.

3. Subscribe to a new industry-focused and/or women-focused newsletter.

You know when you clean out your closet to sell your clothes, and you get to treat yourself to a new item with the money you make? Do the same here. Pick a newsletter that you'll actually open, either specific to your industry or women-focused. Psst, we actually have a pretty great newsletter.

4. Try a new email productivity method.

Do you really need to be keeping a constant eye on your email box? Consider batching your emails—and spending a dedicated hour or so thoughtfully responding to each one.

5. Write to a professional contact to suggest a (virtual) coffee.

Maybe it's your old boss or one of your current colleagues who you'd like to get to know more. Regardless, shoot them an email and ask if they want to connect in the next few weeks.

6. Update your email signature.

No, really—when was the last time you looked at it? Is it even accurate? Could it be more pleasing?

7. Check in with your network.

Shoot a quick email to a few old colleagues you haven't spoken to in awhile. Just ask them how everything's going. The point is: small hellos keep your network from getting cold. And here are some free networking templates to get you started.

8. Make a "to read" folder in your inbox.

You know those newsletters in your inbox that youwantto read, but they're too long to read right now? Set up this folder now to throw them all into. The next time you're bored at work, you can open them up.

9. Make a "to do someday" folder in your inbox.

You know those tasks you have that are constantly on the back burner? Put those in their own folder as well, so you can refer back to them for inspiration down the line. Think: email courses on content marketing or SEO.

10. Write an email to your boss letting her know you want to discuss some new responsibilities.

Look, if you're this bored, is there something new you could be learning or doing? Spend some time thinking today about what new projects you'd like to tackle at work to grow your career, then ask your boss for what you want.

What to Do When You're Bored at Work: The Great Laptop Cleanup

Not much feels better than when you know you're organized. (Is that just us?) Take advantage of your boredom to do a deep clean (literally) of your computer—both inside and out. Delete your screenshots. Clean out your trash bin. Organize your files. Update your software. By the end, you'll feel better (and your computer will too).

11. Clean. Up. Your. Desktop.

You know, the place where screenshots go to die. Make it sparkle.

12. Run all those updates.

Yep, the ones you've been clicking "remind me tomorrow" on for two years.

13. Organize your files.

The way your folders are set up right now probably leaves something to be desired. Come up with a logical structure and clean it alllll up.

14. Or consider moving your files to Dropbox.

Or whatever cloud service you prefer (although we really, really like Dropbox). It will save your computer bandwidth, and it makes it easier to access your stuff from anywhere, including your phone when you're stuck in traffic and realize that your boss needs that Excel file, like, right now. (...Speaking for a friend.)

15. Delete anything personal from your work computer.

Look, these things happen, but it's just good manners. Delete any downloaded photos, notes, or emails.

16. Update your passwords.

Have we actually become desensitized to getting "data breach" emails? Change all of your passwords.

17. Actually clean your laptop.

Keyboard, screen, the whole shebang. We'll wait.

18. Then give it a hard reboot.

If you somehow miraculously didn't have to restart your computer when updating your programs, give it a restart now. We all deserve a little downtime.

What to Do When You're Bored at Work: The Office Makeover

Now that your computer is sparkling from the inside out, do the same for the space around you. Studies show that if your environment is uncluttered, you're more likely to feel inspired and motivated. Who knows? Maybe this will keep from feeling bored today—and give you the feeling of a fresh start for tomorrow.

19. Clean off your desk.

Don't just shuffle everything around. Take everything off of it, pull out the spray cleaner, and give the whole thing a nice wipe down. Looks nice, right? Which brings us to our next point:

20. Commit to a new habit: cleaning up your desk every night before you leave.

Seriously, it changeseverythingwhen you get to arrive to a perfectly organized desk each morning.

21. Organize your desk drawers.

Yes, all of them. And throw all those rogue Post-It note wrappers and half-used utensil packs away.

22. Now that you know what's in there, make a list of what you need.

How long have you been using that crappy pen because it's the only one you have? How often have you been starving at your desk and made bad vending machine choices? Make a list of office supplies, snacks, whatever that you'd like to have. Then go shopping for them this weekend.

23. And a list of what youwant.

A desk plant? (Fun fact: they make you more productive.) Maybe a vision board on your wall? A calendar, planner, or whiteboard? What are some ways you could make this space more useful? You're less likely to feel bored at work if you have plenty of stuff to inspire.

What to Do When You're Bored at Work: Self-Improvement Tactics

Why not spend some of your downtime on self-improvement? Read career articles, research networking events, or listen to a podcast on career advice. Take in some inspiration that breathes new life into your routine. This might look like setting a new personal goal or creating a plan for an exciting side hustle. No matter what you decide to focus on, we can promise you'll benefit from taking the time for yourself.

24. Find some great books to inspire your career.

25. Watch some career-inspiring TED talks.

26. Better yet, subscribe to some career-inspiring YouTube channels.

The best ones are updated every week, which means the next time you're bored at the office, you can head straight there. First up: Career Contessa's YouTube, duh.

27. Write some SMART goals for your career and life.

We love SMART goals because they help you break down the big picture into smaller, more manageable parts—the ideal way to make the most of a slow period at work.

28. And then, write an intimidation list.

Sometimes, facing your fears starts with actually acknowledging them. Hence why you should try your own intimidation list.

29. Subscribe to a new podcast.

30. Download a professional networking app.

Networking is hard, especially if you're an introvert. The beauty of technology is that there are now tons of networking apps out there. We like Bumble Bizz.

31. Or research a networking opportunity.

It's one of the best things you can do to meet new professional contacts, but it will also help you get better at delivering your personal pitch and speaking to strangers. All good things for self-improvement. Read this article on the five types of networking events you need (there's a list of where to find them at the end as well). A reminder that you can network digitally too.

What to Do When You're Bored at Work: Skills-Building

It's important to continually build upon your skills. Industry-specific, hard skills are important, as are soft skills that every person can benefit from strengthening. Want to master Google Workspace? There are classes for that. Feel like you need to strengthen your leadership skills? There are plenty of resources for that too. In short, choose a skill to strengthen and go for it! Plus, there's the added benefit of adding it to your resume when you're finished.

32. Do some research into conferences or professional development opportunities.

If your office offers support for conferences or courses, now's a good time to research what your next choice will be. If not, it's still worth researching and maybe even pitching a great opportunity to your boss.

33. Take an online class or course.

These range from the expensive but exhaustive to the totally free (ahem, YouTube). Here's a comprehensive guide to all of our own courses.

34. Research a new technique or approach you can use for your work.

Make plans for how you can improve your public speaking skills. Or your productivity via the Rule of 3. Or research new techniques in your industry (scrum meetings, the latest marketing trends, new platforms to use for project management, etc.).

35. Download one (or several) of our resources.

They're free. We think they're brilliant. There's probably a good one for you in our library.

36. Email a colleague or mentor to ask what skills they think you should acquire.

Your boss qualifies, too. Find someone who has an aspirational career and ask them what they think you should work on in your own career to climb the ladder.

37. Make a list of all the hobbies you'd be curious to try.

Yes, hobbies.Justhobbies. Sometimes, the best skills-based learning is the type that has nothing to do with your work. (You'd be surprised how often a work idea pops into your head while you're, say, watercoloring.)

38. Learn a new program / learn some new shortcuts in a program.

Fact: 99.7325% of the population hates working in Excel. Okay, maybe we can't cite our sources on this, but you know what we mean. The point is: almost every career uses Excel at one point or another. Why don't you spend an hour learning how to use it better? Same goes for things like learning Photoshop keyboard shortcuts, watching tutorials on how to design in Keynote, etc. Maybe just start by watching one of our webinar replays.

What to Do When You're Bored at Work: Leadership Strategy

This doesn't only look like taking leadership classes (though we think that's a great idea too). Leadership can mean a lot of things: starting a company book club on women's career books, offering to mentor a colleague, or simply learning about experiences that are different from your own. Here are some of our favorite ways to strengthen your leadership muscle.

39. Download an audiobook to listen to later on your commute home.

It can be hard to motivate to read leadership books after a long day at the office, but your commute is a great time to tackle them. We have a list of our favorite leadership books here, but you can also find all sorts of options on Audible.

40. Build a presentation for an idea you have to show in your next team meeting or one-on-one with your boss.

Sometimes the best way to gain leadership skills is to create opportunities. Think of a new responsibility or project you want to tackle, then create a pitch to deliver. It's a great way to practice your presentation skills, get over your fear of public speaking, and of course, the art of the sell. All leadership musts.

41. Start a recycling program at your office.

If you're feeling like there aren't a lot of opportunities to expand your leadership skills in your current role, consider taking a lateral approach. Starting a do-good program at your office is a great way to show you have management potential even if you're not a manager—yet.

42. Or start a women's group!

Starting a women's committee is a great way to make sure more women's voices are heard in your office and the workforce in general.

43. If you don't have one, find a mentor.

Great leaders learn from great leaders. If you don't have a mentor currently, spend some time finding one. Think about who you admire in your company or field and shoot them an email to get the ball rolling. Or try reaching out to someone you don't know via an informational interview. Or head to our Hire a Mentor service to book a session with a woman who's been there and successfully done that.

44. Take the time to be a mentor to another woman.

Think about someone who's younger in your office and send them an email about having coffee. Mentoring other women is both essential and a great way to build skills as a leader.

45. Read some articles on leadership tactics.

46. Read about how to build a more inclusive team, company, and workforce.

Learn how to combat mansplaining and other casual sexism in meetings. Take into account that women are more likely to bully women professionally than they are men and make it a point to do the opposite as an ally. Think about ageism, too. It's a big, complicated, problematic world out there and the best leaders are willing to face that every day.

What to Do When You're Bored at Work: Finances

Dealing with finances can be a time consuming process. If you're facing some downtime, use it to methodically go through your finances. Spend some time really studying your spending habits, do some research on your credit score, or create a budget that you can truly stick to. Knowledge is power! You'll feel better just gaining an understanding of your current situation.

47. Research high yield savings options.

There's no better time to start saving than now. Figure out the best plan for saving and set it up—regularly putting away even a small amount is still very worth it.

48. Research your salary.

Make sure you know what you should be making, so you're staying on top of your own professional and financial growth. Start by joining The Salary Project™, then try these salary tools that help you research trends in your industry.

49. Start preparing your ask for a raise.

If you've wanted to ask for a raise for a while (and you've confirmed a new target number via tip #48), now's the time to start thinking about how and when you'll ask. Think through your strategy—Is your work anniversary coming up? Are you turning in a large project soon?—and start preparing your pitch via our GIMME raise template.

50. Create a budget.

51. Read up on actionable financial advice.

If you find financial advice overwhelming, you're not alone. Take charge of your financial future by learning the basics. Start here with a breakdown of commonly-used financial lingo.

52. Lay out a plan to save $1,000 this month.

53. Take a good look at your company's financial benefits.

Lots of companies offer a 401(k) match, which is additional money if you're contributing a certain amount. We'd recommend checking into this and taking advantage if you can. Companies also commonly offer credits for continuing education or incentives for participating in wellness challenges. If your workplace does this, take your downtime to sign up. It's a win-win.

What to Do When You're Bored at Work: LinkedIn

LinkedIn is powerful—there's no doubt about it. If your LinkedIn profile leaves a little something to be desired, use your downtime to upgrade and update it. We've got lots of resources about taking advantage of LinkedIn. Update your profile and then start making those connections!

54. Edit your LinkedIn profile based on a recruiter's advice.

55. Swap out your LinkedIn headshot and cover image.

When was the last time you did that? Years ago? If you have a new great photo of yourself on hand, go ahead and upload it.

56. Max out your skills list.

It can increase your LinkedIn profile views by 300%. Read this skills list and start adding to your profile ASAP.

57. Request recommendations (and give some in return!)

You're bored at work—could there ever be a better time?

58. Connect with professionals you admire.

Look for women and men working at companies you love or in the roles you aspire to, then request to connect. Make sure to send a personalized message explaining why you're reaching out.

59. And then request some informational interviews.

60. Make your LinkedIn summary more creative.

We've rounded up creative LinkedIn summaries from the women who do it best. Follow their example, why don't ya?

Take your scrolling from doom to boom (too much?). We've all been victim to the Instragram time suck. Instead, be strategic about your social media usage. Unfollow any accounts that don't inspire you. Follow some fun new ones. Think about archiving some photos that may seem less than professional. It can be fun to make your online presence sing a little more. Here's how.

61. Follow some positive Instagram accounts.

62. Get more strategic about your social accounts.

Did you know you can use social media to find a job? Even if you're not interested in going that route (because hey, being bored at work doesn't mean you want to leave), now's a great time to follow thought leaders on LinkedIn and Twitter, clean up your accounts, and so on. But the trick is to also get strategic about engaging, commenting, and liking as well. So get chatting.

63. Share some of the career-inspiring articles you read today on your LinkedIn.

There's no better way to show how much you care about the work you're doing.

64. Make some quick profile updates that will improve your career.

Maybe you don't need those photos from all those college parties lurking deep in your feed. Here's how to clean your social media accounts + refine your personal brand.

65. Reach out to someone you admire on social.

We talk about informational interviews and LinkedIn a lot, but think about whether there's someone you admire on Instagram or Twitter. Chances are they don't get asked often to have a coffee or phone chat, so why not give it a go by sliding into their DMs?

What to Do When You're Bored at Work: Productivity Tactics

At its worst, boredom can make you feel unproductive and unmotivated. If you're feeling that way, try to turn it on its head. What tactics can you employ that might inspire productivity? A to-do list change? A time management adjustment? Taking some time to decompress? Here are some other ideas.

66. Upgrade your to-do lists.

Not all to-do lists are created equal. Why not take advantage of this downtime to try a new to-do method?

67. Or just try this subtle to-do list tweak.

It was a total productivity a-ha moment for us.

68. Plan to master at least one new time management techniques.

Here are 15 that you should have mastered by 30 (don't worry—they're still good to learn even if you're 83 years old).

69. Stop saying you don't have enough time.

If you just got all the way to point 64 here, you might have a little time. Consider thinking of your "time" in weeks instead of days. It makes a huge difference.

70. Or maybe...you should just do nothing.

Because sometimes, embracing your downtime is actually the best thing you can do to find new inspiration. And on that note—over and out.

What to Do at Work When There Is No Work

Source: https://www.careercontessa.com/advice/bored-at-work/