Ever found yourself twiddling your thumbs at work, staring blankly at the screen, wondering, “What now?” We’ve all been there: those awkward lulls when you have no work to do and minutes feel like hours.
But how can you transform these uncomfortable gaps into golden opportunities?
Stick around as we unpack strategies that not only maximize your professional edge but also contribute to personal growth.
Strategies You Can Employ to Make the Most of Your Downtime
Ask your manager for more projects
Sometimes, all you need to do is reach out. Managers appreciate proactive employees who are eager to take on additional responsibilities.
You can either set up a 1-on-1 with your manager to let them know you’d like more responsibility, stop by their desk, or even email them.
The benefit of being transparent like this is that it can reduce feelings of awkwardness and the feeling that you’re hiding something.
Action Step: Schedule a meeting with your boss to discuss potential upcoming projects where you can contribute.
Brainstorm future projects
You can also use this time to ideate.
You can think about projects on the horizon and brainstorm ways to approach them creatively.
You could also brainstorm ideas for possible projects to propose to your manager. This route would give you kudos points for finding and solving problems proactively.
Action Step: What holes or weaknesses do you perceive in your company’s culture, strategy, or operations? What’s an idea that could help fill one of those holes?
Turn your idea into a proposal, put it in a PowerPoint, and share it with your manager at your next chance.
Network within your company
If you have too much downtime, one option is to network and set up meetings with others in your company.
Make your vacant calendar an opportunity to build your network and learn about your colleagues’ roles.
Action Step: Think of someone in your company whose work or personality you are interested in getting to know more. Then, message them to find a time to grab coffee.
Mentor newer employees
If there are employees who are newer on the block than you, consider spending some time mentoring them.
Whether it’s in the nitty-gritty of the job, how to send emails in the right way, or acclimating to work culture, you might find fulfillment in helping someone struggling.
Action Step: Is there someone newer on your team who you think you could help in any way? Send them a message and ask if they could use any support in learning the ropes.
Help your colleagues with their workload
In a similar vein, you could also support your colleagues with their workloads.
Lending a hand not only helps them but also broadens your skills. Plus, it’ll boost teamwork and morale and make you everyone’s favorite coworker.
Action Step: Email a colleague asking if they need help with their workload. If they don’t take you up, email the next person.
Though be careful shooting out multiple offers at once because if too many people accept, you might then have too much to do!
Buff up on industry trends
If you’re not sure what to do, you could consider making a research project out of your industry trends.
Knowing what’s going on at the cutting edge of your industry could give you a competitive advantage or ideas on your role.
Action Step: Pick three journals or news sites related to your job and set alerts for topics of interest.
Refine your career goals
Taking the time to reflect on your career goals is akin to recalibrating your compass in the professional life journey. It clarifies where you’re headed, ensuring your daily efforts align with your long-term aspirations.
In periods of downtime or moments of uncertainty, revisiting and re-evaluating these goals can reignite passion, inform the following steps, and offer a clearer picture of the milestones you wish to achieve.
Action Step: Reflect on what goals you have for yourself and the steps that might be needed. To aid in your process, consider using this free goodie:
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Look for a new job
If you have a ton of downtime on your job, it might be time to look for a new one that challenges you and gives you a fulfilling amount of responsibility.
Consider using your time to explore what opportunities are out there and send off a few applications.
Action Step: Update your resume and check out at least one job board this week.
If you’d like a more thorough set of tips for how to land your ideal job, check out this article.
Beef up your LinkedIn
Your LinkedIn profile often serves as the first impression for professional contacts, potential employers, or industry peers. Investing time to enhance your LinkedIn is akin to polishing your professional storefront.
By updating your experiences, accomplishments, and skills, you present an accurate and compelling snapshot of your career and signal to the industry that you’re engaged, current, and open to opportunities.
And if you do end up looking for another job, data indicates that a comprehensive LinkedIn profile will increase your chance of getting a job interview by 71%1https://www.resumego.net/research/linkedin-interview-chances/#:~:text=a%20job%20interview-,Job%20seekers%20with%20a%20comprehensive%20LinkedIn%20profile%20have%20a%2071,and%20find%20a%20new%20job..
Action Step: Consider any of these steps:
- Seek out a photographer for a professional headshot
- Bring more details to your experience section (use quantifiable metrics when you can)
- Ask colleagues and clients for recommendations
If you’d like more tips on how to make your LinkedIn pop, here’s an awesome guide.
Take an online course
Diving into an online course is one of the best ways to invest in your business acumen. In an ever-evolving work landscape, continuous learning is paramount.
By starting an online course, you’re signaling your commitment to stay updated and relevant to yourself and potential employers.
Courses also often help you connect with instructors and fellow learners.
Whether deepening your current expertise or exploring a new domain, every module completed is a step forward in your career journey.
Action Step: One skill that’s never going out of style? Communication! Take our master course, People School, to become an expert communicator.
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Start a side hustle
Embarking on a side gig is a testament to your entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to diversify your income streams.
Not only does it provide an avenue for additional earnings, but it also cultivates skills that might not be honed in your primary job.
Action Step: Brainstorm all the business ideas you feel excited about, then pick one to start doing some market research on.
Clean up your desktop, Google Drive, or Photo Library
“Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions.” Says Barbara Hemphill, author of Love it or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever.
This is a powerful statement that certainly has some truth to it. If you have extra time, one option could be to create an impeccably organized digital space. One that has you feel clear, grounded, and decisive.
A great place to start is your computer desktop. You probably look at it every day, so you might as well make it neat!
Then, we have Google Drive. I know as well as anyone how easy it is to let organization on that beast slip into the void. But boy, it feels good when everything is in its proper place!
Consider using your spare time to clean up your desktop and online drive.
Action Step: Organize and categorize your desktop and Google Drive. Make folders for things. And delete delete delete.
Update passwords
With rising cyber threats, regularly changing passwords is a simple yet effective protective measure.
And, if you’re anything like me, this is one of those tasks that can live at the bottom of a to-do list for years.
So why not use your ample time to check it off your list?
Action Step: Take the time to get all of your passwords up to snuff. You can also consider a password manager like LastPass.
Inbox zero and newsletter cleanout
According to a survey from Adobe2https://business.adobe.com/blog/perspectives/if-you-think-email-is-dead-think-again#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20consumers%20said%20they,U.S.%20adults%20in%20July%202019., employees spend about five hours a day checking email! Five! Three of those hours are on work email, and two are on personal email.
It’s not that easy to get your inbox down to zero. But, an organized inbox can create a sense of relief and help prioritize tasks.
And, just like any other kind of clutter, it can make things feel more spacious and peaceful.
Action Step: Go through all your emails and delete or categorize each one. Plus, unsubscribe to any newsletter that isn’t useful, interesting, or relevant.
Organize your workspace
One last organization option is your physical workspace.
One survey suggests3https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9136218/ that an organized and positive work environment improves employee performance commitment levels and ambition.
So, if you have the time, consider organizing and beautifying your desk.
Action Step: Try these tips from tidying expert Marie Kondo:
- When you discard each item, take a moment to appreciate that item. And to reflect on why you got it and if you should acquire similar items in the future.
- Tidy by category, not location. Instead of tidying your drawer, tidy all your pens (because some might be in your drawer and others in your pen jar!). This will help you organize more thoughtfully and grasp what you actually own.
- Does it spark joy? When deciding if you should keep an item, ask yourself: “Does this item spark joy for me?”
Plan a vacation
Vacations are such a needed source of rejuvenation and inspiration. Studies show4https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8733151/ vacations increase people’s creativity. But they can be time-consuming and tiring to plan. Good thing you have some extra time on your hands!
The act of planning, from researching destinations to charting out itineraries, can be a therapeutic exercise in anticipation and creativity. It’s a reminder that there’s a world outside of spreadsheets and deadlines, full of wonder and experiences waiting to be explored.
Moreover, looking forward to a well-planned getaway can boost your morale and provide an added zest to your daily routine.
Action Step: Start by determining a budget and setting tentative dates. Then let yourself vision: if anything were possible, what would the week of your dreams look like?
Meditate
Meditation has a ton of scientifically backed benefits, including reduction of stress and increase in wellbeing.
Since you’ll be sitting at your desk already, why not meditate?
In a world punctuated by notifications, deadlines, and constant stimuli, meditation offers a sanctum of calm, allowing you to reconnect with yourself.
You can turn your job into a meditation retreat.
Action Step: Begin with short, manageable sessions, maybe just five minutes at a time. Consider starting with a guided meditation app like Headspace or Calm to aid your practice.
As you grow more comfortable, gradually increase the duration and explore different meditation techniques to discover what resonates most with you.
Since you’ll likely be meditating at your desk, you can close your eyes or keep them open in a soft gaze.
Here is a list of techniques you can experiment with.
Listen to a podcast
If you can’t use your time at work to grow in your job, then consider investing in your personal growth in other ways.
Beyond just knowledge acquisition, regularly listening to podcasts can sharpen your listening skills, introduce you to diverse perspectives, and spark innovative ideas you might bring to your professional table.
Action Step: Check out the Spotify or Apple podcast home page, pick the category that speaks to you the most, and browse. Let your interest guide you into a new show.
Why Does Downtime Happen?
Downtime happens for a variety of reasons, from seasonal fluctuations to a lack of proactive management.
In general, it is quite common for people to be unproductive at work. 57% of employees waste at least an hour a day while at work, and 26% of employees waste at least two hours, according to a 2014 survey of 750 employees5https://www.salary.com/chronicles/2014-wasting-time-at-work/.
But it’s a whole ‘nother thing when you aren’t trying to waste time, but you simply don’t have work to do.
Here are the main reasons why you might find yourself in this uncomfortable situation:
- Project dependencies: Often, certain tasks or projects can’t proceed until another team or colleague completes a preceding step. If there’s a delay in that step, it can cause downtime for those waiting in the subsequent stages.
- Seasonal fluctuations: Some industries and roles experience seasonal lulls. For instance, accountants might be swamped during tax season but experience quieter periods during other parts of the year.
- Improper workload distribution: This can be due to a lack of balanced task delegation among team members, leading to some employees being overloaded while others have little to do. It can also arise from management lacking a clear understanding of everyone’s capacity and expertise.
- Economic shifts: Economic downturns, restructuring, or shifts in company strategy can sometimes result in temporary halts in operations or projects, leading to downtime for employees until new directions or tasks are established.
- Lack of proactive management: Sometimes, management isn’t proactive in planning and forecasting workloads. When one project ends, if there isn’t another one lined up or if there’s no clear direction for employees on what to tackle next, it can lead to periods of inactivity.
Frequently Asked Questions About What to Do at Work When There is No Work
Periods of no work in the workplace often arise due to seasonal fluctuations, project completion stages, or strategic realignments. These lulls in the workday can be a great time to reflect, reskill, and prepare for the next busy period.
Staying motivated and engaged during downtimes at work involves taking a proactive approach, such as seeking training opportunities, brainstorming new project ideas, or assisting colleagues. It can be hard to overcome boredom and slowness, but taking this time as an opportunity for growth can also boost morale and motivation.
Yes, during slow work periods, you can hone a wide range of professional skills, from technical proficiencies related to your field to soft skills like communication and time management. Online courses, tutorials, workshops, and peer mentorship are great ways to initiate this learning and boost professional development.
Creative ways to contribute to the team when tasks are scarce include initiating brainstorming sessions, assisting overburdened colleagues, and proposing efficiency-improving measures. Additionally, identifying and addressing any process gaps can add significant value.
Utilizing downtime for personal growth positively influences long-term career goals by equipping you with new skills, perspectives, and a broader understanding of your industry. This proactive approach can enhance job satisfaction, open new opportunities, and position you for advancements.
Effective communication plays a pivotal role in maximizing work lulls, as it ensures that team members are aligned, fosters collaboration, and can lead to identifying new tasks or projects. Regularly checking in with colleagues and supervisors can uncover hidden opportunities and help avoid an unnecessary slow day.
Engaging in leisure activities during work downtime can boost overall productivity, as it helps refresh the mind, reduce stress, and increase overall well-being. By allowing oneself short breaks for relaxation or personal interests, one can return to work tasks with renewed energy and focus.
Takeaways on What to Do at Work When There Is No Work
Not having work to do while at work can be an uncomfortable feeling. This Reddit thread hits the nail on the head:
And here are the top two voted comments:
It is a common problem, but if you have some strategies to approach your downtime, you can make the most of it and use this time to your benefit.
You can either use your extra time to excel in your current job by:
- Asking your manager for new responsibilities
- Brainstorming projects to propose
- Network within your company
- Mentor your coworkers
- Lighten your colleagues’ loads
- Research industry trends
Or you could advance your career outside of this role by:
- Clarifying your career goals
- Applying for new jobs
- Beefing up your LinkedIn
- Taking an online course
- Starting a sidehustle
Another option is to use your extra time to get more organized. You could:
- Clean your desktop and Google Drive
- Update and standardize your passwords
- Clean out your email inbox
- Organize your physical workspace
Lastly, you could use your extra time to support your wellness. Consider:
- Planning a vacation
- Meditating
- Listening to podcasts
Best of luck making it through this situation!
You also might enjoy this article, which will give you ideas on having more fun in the workplace.
Article sources
- https://www.resumego.net/research/linkedin-interview-chances/#:~:text=a%20job%20interview-,Job%20seekers%20with%20a%20comprehensive%20LinkedIn%20profile%20have%20a%2071,and%20find%20a%20new%20job.
- https://business.adobe.com/blog/perspectives/if-you-think-email-is-dead-think-again#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20consumers%20said%20they,U.S.%20adults%20in%20July%202019.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9136218/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8733151/
- https://www.salary.com/chronicles/2014-wasting-time-at-work/
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