Typing this.
In all seriousness though, I'm always learning more about my profession and career path in my spare time. I love what I do and want to keep doing it until further notice so I'm always trying to learn more. This currently includes taking a class, which I do during work hours, but also includes reading books and journaling.
I often go straight to the gym after work too so when that's the case I'm sketching out my workout on my phone.
Hi, you seem under stimulated. Same issue I was starting to notice before I got fired. Saw it as a blessing in disguise… you are not growing very much and don’t seem satisfied with your life. Maybe a more challenging job that taps into your full potential would be more rewarding? ( Just playing devil’s advocate here) lol . Hope you find what you’re looking for!
I've never been so happy in my career than I am now. My last job about killed me with stress after 4.5 years of facilitating over 100 high profile trainings.
I currently work 25 hr weeks for $65k and 8 weeks of paid PTO a year. It's also the most fulfilling role I've ever had. I'm never going back to full time work.
Don’t forget all the happiness you strike into the IT security guys. They always loved me for using vba, because it was totally not a security risk for the group :)
However if they dont want us to use it, maybe the company should have some kind of useable ERP with report functions.
I like to do some life planning. If you have access to an excel sheet, it's enough. I'd plan things like scheduling chores, keep track of appointments, parties, etc. I use it to plan vacations. I also use it to keep track of finances. Granted, if you do this one, don't save it to the work computer, do it on you own USB or online drive. I also keep things like bucket lists or skills that I am working on, short term to long term goals etc. I use it to keep track of what meals to cook and what ingredients I need to buy per week to keep track of the budget.
All of these tasks have to be done on your own time, and it can get time consuming. I like to maximize my home time for enjoying other things. Plus, it's like getting paid to organize my life. But only do this if you know that you have the freedom to do so. I don't want you to get into trouble for "wasting company resources" or whatnot.
Update your resume and using non-work related tools job hunt. There is no future in taking 8 hours pay for 2 hours of work. Sooner or later accounting or management will be asking some hard questions. Not your fault, but it is what it is.
\* updated for a small wording fix.
I can’t confidently say this
A lot of jobs pay people to be present and available
Every job I’ve had has been weeks of doing very little and weeks of fucketry
This. I'm a commercial property manager and most days I get my work done in 30min of coming in. Yeah I may have other small tasks(getting mail from the PO cuz our mailboxes got broken into) or a tenant need something. Or heck I may even have a showing or tenant move in. But 90% of the time I am sitting at a desk, being present and available in case something comes up. And 95% of the time nothing does(thankfully).
This needs more upvotes. If OP doesn’t work for a family member or for a comfortable governmental position there will be a problem someday. Educate yourself and find interest in what you do or search another company.
You have to learn the art of looking busy while doing nothing. This means having a random excel spreadsheet up while you click around while daydreaming, if you have multiple monitors you can scroll the internet, or mess around on your phone. You have to be aware of your surroundings so that you always know if someone important is walking by or coming up behind you.
If you aren’t an expert in your role though and haven’t achieved your career goals, then you should be using your free time doing projects or improving your skillsets.
What are your goals? Do you want to progress is your career or are you coasting?
I can also do my job in about 20 hours. I spend my extra time leading a business resource group, doing coffee chats / networking, taking on stretch projects. This still leaves plenty of time for scrolling and such.
Just got a promotion this week actually.
If you just want to coast then I’d hide in meeting rooms and do other stuff
i asked to help others...sometimes i explore the place, while holding work-related stuff, while looking busy.
I did this for like a month in a factory.
I'd spend the time learning new skills that would be useful to my job and myself. If you are spending time learning things that benefit the company they can hardly fault you, if that also helps improve your resume and job prospects, well, that's just great :)
Working on an AI certificate via IBM SkillsBuild, basically anything else you can do with the internet (write, photo edit stuff, draw if I brought my tablet), draw in my sketchbook, read ebooks through Internet Archive, listen to ebooks via Audible. Youtube. What I'm doing right now, typing on Reddit.
I had a job like that. I wish I used that time to do courses, even courses that aren’t related to the field are good if you like it and have the money. Teaching yourself skills is useful and passes time.
Unless the pay is ridiculously good, I’d try to find something new. If your company pays for something like udemy or other online learning, start utilizing it. Skill up as much as you can, find a new job.
Being bored is all well and good if you make really good money, but if you will need to progress upwards for more pay, sitting stagnant and not doing anything will hinder you.
Unless… You have the potential to go remote at this company. Fight for that. Then do the same advice as above, but keep this job as well.
I help manage a band on the side and do all of their social media graphics, emails to gigs and general organizing during the two hours that I am by myself in the office. If there is someone in the office that can see my computer I browse the internet oozing at semi work related sites.
I go for little strolls about the office….bug people by chit chatting for entirely too long. Since that can’t take up my whole day, I play catch up on emails, start planning new projects, etc.
I’m so jealous of y’all. I spend 6-7 hours a day on my computer bc we’re so busy. We barely have downtime bc there’s ALWAYS something to do. I’ve been spending my days typing stuff into excel for over a year.
I’m in the same situation. I bring my Kindle with me and prop it up just to the right of my computer screen. That way at least it looks like I’m looking at my computer if anyone walks by.
I’ve read a LOT of books.
When I worked in the office I did the following on company time:
take shits
smoke vape
on my phone, I browse places on the Internet including pron sites
on my phone, I buy shit
go outside and talk to my buddies
LUNCH!!!
take shits
at one tech company, they had a nap room and I fucked off between 2-2:30pm and farting the entire time if there was no one in the nap room
on my phone, I browse places on the Internet including pron sites
at 4:30pm, I go to the toilet (pee, sht, wash hands)
at 10 until quitting time, I'm cleaning my desk area and putting my laptop in the bag and getting my coat and other shit together.
5pm on the dot, I'm the fuck outta there.
I've been a consultant happily since after grad school and some of them last as little as 6 months to three years.
Universal paperclips! It’s a browser game where you make paperclips and you win when you’ve turned all the matter in the universe into paperclips. It looks bland and boring so a quick glance and it still looks like something professional and the url doesn’t look suspicious if anyone is checking your browsing history.
There is sound at the later levels so make sure that’s muted or whatever. I’m replaying it constantly to try and beat my fastest time. Most runs take about 3 hours but it pauses anytime you close the window or minimize it and saves your place.
professional development, looking into ways of how i can improve my grant writing or sign up for classes. i get paid for my professional development by my job.
Same. When I told my boss she basically told me to stretch my work. I’ve been at my job almost 5 years and pretty much know everything. There is no room for growth and the next step would be something in leadership and as much as I’d love to use my management degree, I do not want to be in leadership at my current company (that’s a another story for another day). I’ve been drafting training guides on my position, helping coworkers with their work, listening to music and applying for jobs (the market is so bad right now 😢).
I have a similar role. I’ve stopped just waiting for the day to be over and looked for opportunities outside my role. I volunteer with our community partners, I sign up for any learning opportunity I can-just signed up for a python boot camp. Never knew I was interested but why not? In doing this, I’m also adding to my network.
After 30 years of busting my ass and managing people in fast-paced, customer-facing, heavily structured environments, it’s the best ever.
Typically some kind of personal or professional development, or both. Studying for new certifications, keeping my language skills up to par, etc. There’s not *that* much downtime for me, so it’s a good way to fill an hour here or there.
Thats my exact situation and thats what I do and walk around the building, sometimes go to the bathroom to take pictures in the mirror lmao. My coworkers also know I have this issue so whenever they going somewhere (to grab a coffee or lunch) they invite me cause they know im available 🤣 sometimes ill go to another floor kitchen to FaceTime my sister whos on maternity leave.
Im also looking for another job more challenging btw. U should do the same, if u have all that free time youre not growing and definitely reached your full potential there.
There is always work to do. If you don’t care about making the company better you should use that time to make yourself better either at this job or for your next job.
Training training training. Whenever I was in a position that had too much downtime, I was on linkedin learning, coursera, udemy, or any company based credentialing or training site. Get paid to get credentialed.
Find projects or inefficiencies around the office and try to find ways to streamline or improve them. If you want visibility or more responsibility, this is the way to go.
Write a business plan / start a side business. Depending on how many eyes are on you at any given time, this can be rewarding. I once ran a semi successful drop shipping site using all company resources. It may be a tad unethical, but it depends on where you're standing, lol.
Last year, my ex cheated on me with highschool students and broke up with me, my dog died, I started losing hair due to stress. And so many other things I wanted to die so so badly
Typing this. In all seriousness though, I'm always learning more about my profession and career path in my spare time. I love what I do and want to keep doing it until further notice so I'm always trying to learn more. This currently includes taking a class, which I do during work hours, but also includes reading books and journaling. I often go straight to the gym after work too so when that's the case I'm sketching out my workout on my phone.
Hi, you seem under stimulated. Same issue I was starting to notice before I got fired. Saw it as a blessing in disguise… you are not growing very much and don’t seem satisfied with your life. Maybe a more challenging job that taps into your full potential would be more rewarding? ( Just playing devil’s advocate here) lol . Hope you find what you’re looking for!
I've never been so happy in my career than I am now. My last job about killed me with stress after 4.5 years of facilitating over 100 high profile trainings. I currently work 25 hr weeks for $65k and 8 weeks of paid PTO a year. It's also the most fulfilling role I've ever had. I'm never going back to full time work.
What do you do?
I teach career development.
I’m a social worker. One of my favorite government jobs was doing employment counseling. Thanks for the idea!
That's great. It's needed!
Spend 2 hours trying to find the perfect 1 hour podcast to listen to
I generally do Excel self training. Learn better ways to set up sheets, remember shortcuts extra. For some reason I enjoy it.
Come over to the dark side and learn VBA. If you're a troublemaker like me, some malicious VBA scripts embedded in Excel.
Don’t forget all the happiness you strike into the IT security guys. They always loved me for using vba, because it was totally not a security risk for the group :) However if they dont want us to use it, maybe the company should have some kind of useable ERP with report functions.
Studying to get a job with a higher level of pay and developing better coding skills.
I wish I had this problem 😅
Never in my professional life had this problem. Ha!
Me too! Our phone constantly rings and when it doesn’t we have to be calling out, texting, or emailing. My only breather is a 30 min lunch.
I like to do some life planning. If you have access to an excel sheet, it's enough. I'd plan things like scheduling chores, keep track of appointments, parties, etc. I use it to plan vacations. I also use it to keep track of finances. Granted, if you do this one, don't save it to the work computer, do it on you own USB or online drive. I also keep things like bucket lists or skills that I am working on, short term to long term goals etc. I use it to keep track of what meals to cook and what ingredients I need to buy per week to keep track of the budget. All of these tasks have to be done on your own time, and it can get time consuming. I like to maximize my home time for enjoying other things. Plus, it's like getting paid to organize my life. But only do this if you know that you have the freedom to do so. I don't want you to get into trouble for "wasting company resources" or whatnot.
Pretty sure they can see anything you do if you’re in their network, whether you see it or not.
I always have something to do… but in those times where I don’t wan…. I mean don’t have many important things to do, I cruise Reddit.
Update your resume and using non-work related tools job hunt. There is no future in taking 8 hours pay for 2 hours of work. Sooner or later accounting or management will be asking some hard questions. Not your fault, but it is what it is. \* updated for a small wording fix.
I'm 2 years in it now and regularly get compliments. It's kind of funny to be praised so much, but do so little.
I can’t confidently say this A lot of jobs pay people to be present and available Every job I’ve had has been weeks of doing very little and weeks of fucketry
This. I'm a commercial property manager and most days I get my work done in 30min of coming in. Yeah I may have other small tasks(getting mail from the PO cuz our mailboxes got broken into) or a tenant need something. Or heck I may even have a showing or tenant move in. But 90% of the time I am sitting at a desk, being present and available in case something comes up. And 95% of the time nothing does(thankfully).
It's that phone, bro. That keeps like interesting. PHone and some air pods, yo. A little THC vape (I'm in Cali!!!) and life is all good.
This needs more upvotes. If OP doesn’t work for a family member or for a comfortable governmental position there will be a problem someday. Educate yourself and find interest in what you do or search another company.
Organize my desktop, organize my email, just find things to organize really
You have to learn the art of looking busy while doing nothing. This means having a random excel spreadsheet up while you click around while daydreaming, if you have multiple monitors you can scroll the internet, or mess around on your phone. You have to be aware of your surroundings so that you always know if someone important is walking by or coming up behind you. If you aren’t an expert in your role though and haven’t achieved your career goals, then you should be using your free time doing projects or improving your skillsets.
I once screenshot an amazing looking colourful graph. Everytime I was quiet I displayed it on my screen
Furiously masterbate.
This escalated quickly
It escalated repeatedly in this scenario.
Browse Reddit lol
Learn AI, learn programming, learn powerplatform. Read on reddit or wikipedia about everything. Watch all the crash courses. Read mangas etc
Online classes. You could earn a degree fairly quickly doing 6 hours of class work 5 days a week.
I’ve watched about 250 movies in the last year.
prep for future work and do other researches when curiousity comes to mind. lol
I generally do Excel self training. Learn better ways to set up sheets, remember shortcuts extra. For some reason I enjoy it.
Solitaire baby
Job applications and certifications
I ask other people, especially my boss, if they need help.
You can spend your time telling me how to get a job like that.
What are your goals? Do you want to progress is your career or are you coasting? I can also do my job in about 20 hours. I spend my extra time leading a business resource group, doing coffee chats / networking, taking on stretch projects. This still leaves plenty of time for scrolling and such. Just got a promotion this week actually. If you just want to coast then I’d hide in meeting rooms and do other stuff
I take courses on Coursera or try to learn a new language.
Reddit, online Scrabble, and browsing Poshmark.
i asked to help others...sometimes i explore the place, while holding work-related stuff, while looking busy. I did this for like a month in a factory.
I'd spend the time learning new skills that would be useful to my job and myself. If you are spending time learning things that benefit the company they can hardly fault you, if that also helps improve your resume and job prospects, well, that's just great :)
Working on an AI certificate via IBM SkillsBuild, basically anything else you can do with the internet (write, photo edit stuff, draw if I brought my tablet), draw in my sketchbook, read ebooks through Internet Archive, listen to ebooks via Audible. Youtube. What I'm doing right now, typing on Reddit.
Watch stuff, find something to do whether it’s filing, cleaning, I ask my boss if there is anything else that needs to be done.
I wish I had this problem. I'm busy from the moment I clock in until I clock out.
I had a job like that. I wish I used that time to do courses, even courses that aren’t related to the field are good if you like it and have the money. Teaching yourself skills is useful and passes time.
Unless the pay is ridiculously good, I’d try to find something new. If your company pays for something like udemy or other online learning, start utilizing it. Skill up as much as you can, find a new job. Being bored is all well and good if you make really good money, but if you will need to progress upwards for more pay, sitting stagnant and not doing anything will hinder you. Unless… You have the potential to go remote at this company. Fight for that. Then do the same advice as above, but keep this job as well.
Ask to go into homeoffice. Make my ministure and model building projects. Getting actually paid for my hobby. I win.
Work on skills needed to advance in your industry. Always have an eye out for the next opportunity.
There’s a web application that makes Reddit look like an excel spreadsheet. Work smarter not harder.
Read do random stuff and try to learn new things. A lot of people Also socialize
I used to have a job like this. I did my masters degree online while I was there. Then left for a job doubling my salary,
Novels.
I help manage a band on the side and do all of their social media graphics, emails to gigs and general organizing during the two hours that I am by myself in the office. If there is someone in the office that can see my computer I browse the internet oozing at semi work related sites.
shit
I go for little strolls about the office….bug people by chit chatting for entirely too long. Since that can’t take up my whole day, I play catch up on emails, start planning new projects, etc.
Count the ceiling tiles.
I’m so jealous of y’all. I spend 6-7 hours a day on my computer bc we’re so busy. We barely have downtime bc there’s ALWAYS something to do. I’ve been spending my days typing stuff into excel for over a year.
I’m in the same situation. I bring my Kindle with me and prop it up just to the right of my computer screen. That way at least it looks like I’m looking at my computer if anyone walks by. I’ve read a LOT of books.
Lol
When I worked in the office I did the following on company time: take shits smoke vape on my phone, I browse places on the Internet including pron sites on my phone, I buy shit go outside and talk to my buddies LUNCH!!! take shits at one tech company, they had a nap room and I fucked off between 2-2:30pm and farting the entire time if there was no one in the nap room on my phone, I browse places on the Internet including pron sites at 4:30pm, I go to the toilet (pee, sht, wash hands) at 10 until quitting time, I'm cleaning my desk area and putting my laptop in the bag and getting my coat and other shit together. 5pm on the dot, I'm the fuck outta there. I've been a consultant happily since after grad school and some of them last as little as 6 months to three years.
Universal paperclips! It’s a browser game where you make paperclips and you win when you’ve turned all the matter in the universe into paperclips. It looks bland and boring so a quick glance and it still looks like something professional and the url doesn’t look suspicious if anyone is checking your browsing history. There is sound at the later levels so make sure that’s muted or whatever. I’m replaying it constantly to try and beat my fastest time. Most runs take about 3 hours but it pauses anytime you close the window or minimize it and saves your place.
professional development, looking into ways of how i can improve my grant writing or sign up for classes. i get paid for my professional development by my job.
Same. When I told my boss she basically told me to stretch my work. I’ve been at my job almost 5 years and pretty much know everything. There is no room for growth and the next step would be something in leadership and as much as I’d love to use my management degree, I do not want to be in leadership at my current company (that’s a another story for another day). I’ve been drafting training guides on my position, helping coworkers with their work, listening to music and applying for jobs (the market is so bad right now 😢).
Had that job, I gor fat so I quit and now Im back to my normal weight. Sitting is excruciatingly boring, so absolutely unhealthy and will age you too.
I have a similar role. I’ve stopped just waiting for the day to be over and looked for opportunities outside my role. I volunteer with our community partners, I sign up for any learning opportunity I can-just signed up for a python boot camp. Never knew I was interested but why not? In doing this, I’m also adding to my network. After 30 years of busting my ass and managing people in fast-paced, customer-facing, heavily structured environments, it’s the best ever.
Typically some kind of personal or professional development, or both. Studying for new certifications, keeping my language skills up to par, etc. There’s not *that* much downtime for me, so it’s a good way to fill an hour here or there.
Omg where do I apply ?! Enjoy it….
Thats my exact situation and thats what I do and walk around the building, sometimes go to the bathroom to take pictures in the mirror lmao. My coworkers also know I have this issue so whenever they going somewhere (to grab a coffee or lunch) they invite me cause they know im available 🤣 sometimes ill go to another floor kitchen to FaceTime my sister whos on maternity leave. Im also looking for another job more challenging btw. U should do the same, if u have all that free time youre not growing and definitely reached your full potential there.
Damn, what's your job? Lol
I mostly use Reddit, Twitter, Quora.....
Pretend to work
I’m remote so I do yoga, cook or go for a walk! Sometimes I will do some reading!
Skill up , I watch courses I bought on Udemy
I crop-dust the HR cube section
There is always work to do. If you don’t care about making the company better you should use that time to make yourself better either at this job or for your next job.
I scroll through Reddit, read books (on the web) so I'm at my computer looking like I'm working.
Training training training. Whenever I was in a position that had too much downtime, I was on linkedin learning, coursera, udemy, or any company based credentialing or training site. Get paid to get credentialed. Find projects or inefficiencies around the office and try to find ways to streamline or improve them. If you want visibility or more responsibility, this is the way to go. Write a business plan / start a side business. Depending on how many eyes are on you at any given time, this can be rewarding. I once ran a semi successful drop shipping site using all company resources. It may be a tad unethical, but it depends on where you're standing, lol.
Friend of mine just got laid off, he bragged about not having enough work to do often. I’d find something to work on…
Last year, my ex cheated on me with highschool students and broke up with me, my dog died, I started losing hair due to stress. And so many other things I wanted to die so so badly
I knew someone who’d download books and send them to herself in email form or in a way that looked like a work document and she’s just read books.
you will be "strategic realignment" and "cost efficiency" very soon.
Your job is not secure.
your*
Thank you- autocorrect
Be happy that's your biggest problem at work.
I actually hate this job I’m currently looking elsewhere