Feeling bored at work? You’re not alone. In fact, a recent study found that 70% of employees feel bored at work every day, so boredom is a real problem that can affect productivity and happiness at work.
That is why it is important to find ways to stay focused, engaged, and productive when you’re not working on anything.
I know that it can be tempting to just sit back and relax when you’ve finished your work for the day.
However, I want to encourage you to make use of this time by doing something productive instead.
Whether it’s reading up on current events or learning how to code, there’s always something new and exciting you can learn in your spare time.
Here are 30 things you can do when boredom strikes at work.
Table of Contents
1. Sort Out Your Desktop
Organizing your laptop desktop can be productive. Plus, it is a great way to pass the time.
When you organize your desktop you have to check each folder which automatically gets you up and moving.
2. Rearrange Your Desk
Perhaps a new location for your phone or laptop charger will give your workspace a fresh start when you return in the morning!
If not, try rearranging everything on your desk to see how you can improve productivity.
3. Organize Your Files
Organizing your files is a good way to be productive because you can sort out things that are not needed. You can also find the things you want.
Plus, if you organize your files by date, you can find the information you need quickly.
4. Update Your To-Do List
Sometimes you might feel that your job is too easy if you have little to do on the list.
But, updating your to-do list is a great way to stay busy and focused, so make use of the time by setting the new tasks.
5. Review Your Monthly Schedule
Reviewing your monthly schedule may help you not only plan for the next month but can also show you what has been completed and what remains to be done.
It’s important to have a plan in place for the whole month, so you know what you need to do when the time comes.
6. Find A Room to Meditate or Pray
If you want to stay productive at work after the work is done then I recommend praying or meditating because it may be just what you need!
It can help us feel centered once again after feeling scattered. When we feel centered we focus better on the work that we’re doing.
7. Offer A Colleague Some Help
Helping a colleague is productive and helpful. When you help a colleague, they are more likely to return the favor to you someday.
Plus, it feels good to help others! It’s also a great way to show them you care.
8. Connect with Old Colleagues
It can be a refreshing experience to reconnect with friends from your past.
When you reconnect with old colleagues, it gives you a new perspective on the time that has passed and what you have or have not accomplished.
You can also learn more about the people you lost touch with since they last knew you.
9. Check Email Newsletters
When you don’t have anything to do at work, check your email for a new newsletter.
It’s tempting to just delete it right away without reading it, but if you read through the material of the newsletter, you could discover some valuable information.
I believe that the greatest thing to do is unsubscribe from any newsletters that you don’t want.
10. Check and Update Your Email Signature
Your email signature is one of the most powerful ways to market yourself.
By having a well-put-together, professional email signature you are setting the tone for how your colleagues perceive you.
You are also making it easier for colleagues to know how to get in touch with you outside of work hours.
11. Ask A Mentor for Inputs
It is always good to ask for input, especially if you’re bored and need a new perspective.
Mentors can be instrumental in helping with work productivity because often they will see things that we don’t see.
So ask for their input, and I’m sure they’ll be happy to help!
12. Learn How to Use Some Shortcuts in a Program
Our work will be a lot more effective if we use shortcuts in a program like Excel.
It’s important to see the benefits of shortcuts because they really do make our work easier. Plus, it can be fun to learn how to use them!
13. Read An Article About Your Career
Reading articles about your career is a way of staying current and up to date with the latest trends that are happening.
It also helps you identify what you want to do in your career as well as how people in the desired profession earn a living, which should enrich your perspective about your current job.
14. Share The Career-Inspiring Article You Read
When you are at work and there is nothing to do, find an article about your career.
Understand why it is a good read and then share it with a friend or colleague. It’s a great way to inspire others!
15. Find A Great Book to Help You Improve Your Skills
It is always a good idea to find a great book that will help you improve your skills.
One of the best places to start is an online bookstore, which has a variety of books for so many different topics and is easy to access while you are still at work.
You can also download e-books on your phone, which you can take with you wherever you go and read whenever you want.
16. Watch An Inspiring Ted Talk About Your Career
A Ted Talk on my desired career is a great way to get inspired. It can help me see more of the possibilities and I find it more encouraging than just reading about the career.
The video is easy to watch while sitting at my desk and I can take what I learned from it with me, even after work hours.
17. Listen to A Podcast Related to Your Field of Work
I believe the first way that podcasts will help you to be more productive and skillful is by providing continual updates on the field of your work.
It also provides you with new skills that you aren’t aware of.
Finally, it also gives you something to do while at work when there is nothing to do.
18. Watch and Subscribe to Inspiring Youtube Channels
Watching and subscribing to inspirational Youtube channels will help you grow.
You need to subscribe to these channels if you want them to be easier to access.
Youtube is a good source of information, and it can be something that we watch even when we’re at work without getting in trouble.
19. Find A New Method or Technique You Can Use at Work
The best way to stay motivated at work is to find a new method or technique that you can use.
Personally, I find it motivating when the method or technique that I’m trying out works for me.
The sense of accomplishment always helps motivate me to try new things!
20. Learn A New Language
Learning a new language when bored at work is easy to do in just a few minutes.
I’ve found that it’s an awesome way to stay productive because time flies by while you’re learning something new.
Software like Duolingo is awesome for learning languages. You can even download it on your phone and take your lessons with you wherever you go!
21. Update Your LinkedIn
We all know how important it is to look professional at work.
Having an updated LinkedIn account will help you to do so, which is why it’s worth the time when you’re bored at your desk.
LinkedIn provides a wide variety of updates, including keeping your information current. This might get you into the habit of checking your profile and updating it as well.
22. Find Inspiring Professionals on LinkedIn and Connect with Them
Connecting with professionals on LinkedIn can be a great way to improve your work productivity and skillset.
You can find inspiring people and connect with them by liking, following, and commenting on their posts.
The more connected you are with them, the more they will uplift your spirits and motivate you to keep going.
23. Edit Your LinkedIn Summary to Something Creative
I had written my LinkedIn summary in a more formal tone, which didn’t feel like it matched how I live my life.
I updated the summary with something creative and it felt like it helped me appear more professional on LinkedIn.
So it’s important to write your LinkedIn summary in a way that you feel comfortable expressing yourself. This will help you to resonate with potential employers.
24. Polish Up Your Personal Brand
A personal brand is like an online impression of yourself. It is your personality and skills.
To refine it, you should make sure to use the right words and pictures to represent your brand. You should also make sure to use it in the right way.
For example, you don’t want your personal brand to be inconsistent with what others see of you at work.
25. Ask A Colleague to Have A Coffee After Work
I think that asking a colleague out for coffee after work is an excellent way to be helpful and hone friendship. It provides a good opportunity for people to connect.
It can also help you to have a better understanding of your colleagues, as well as their personalities.
26. Looking Up on The Best Saving Plan
If you’re not sure of how to use your spare time, it’s best to look upon the best saving plan. You will be able to improve your financial knowledge.
The more you know about saving money, the better off you’ll be. I recommend reading some blog posts written by personal finance experts.
27. Create A Budget Plan
Creating a budget plan will help you understand what you spend your money on. It helps you be accountable for your finances. You will find out how much money you need every month.
With a budget plan, you won’t be wondering where all the cash goes because everything has been organized.
28. Find Instagram Accounts That Will Inspire You in Your Work
The first step to finding inspiring professionals on Instagram is to look for them. The second step would be to follow them.
By following them, you will learn something new about life or the job you are currently having!
29. List Weekend Activities You Want to Try
The great thing about making a list of weekend activities you want to try is that it’s something different. It helps you to spice up your life and keep things interesting.
It also helps you to be motivated for the following week because you’re excited about what’s coming up.
30. Reboot Your Computer
Many suggest rebooting the computer to refresh the screen and get rid of eye strain after a long day sitting in front of the screen.
All it takes is a few clicks and a reboot should take no more than a minute or so. This ensures that the system will run smoothly and properly for the next use.
Conclusion
The tips I’ve shared with you in this article should help you make the most of your boredom at work.
Whether it’s polishing up your personal brand, reconnecting with inspirational professionals on LinkedIn, or creating a budget plan, this list will give you that much-needed boost to keep going and get more done.
It will help you conserve your energy for the next day while keeping you satisfied and happy with what you have achieved!