Slow Day at Work? Restore Your Energy and Get Extra Stuff Done

We all have slow days at work. The day after you've finished a big project, or a boring day during the year's usual slow period. Sometimes you just can't muster the motivation to get something accomplished. But instead of wasting your day scrolling through social media or falling into a Reddit blackhole, do one (or all) of these quick tasks to energize yourself and get a quick boost of confidence and accomplishment. After all, you've got the time to try it, right?

Stretch

Takes: Two minutes

Want to boost your energy and efficiency on a particularly slow and lagging day? Stand up and get your blood moving. Do a lap around the office or tackle a flight of stairs. Or do some proper stretches. Head to the bathroom (so you don't look silly) and reach up to the sky and feel your whole body elongate. Bend at the waist and grab your calves. Stand up, take a few deep breaths and return to your desk energized.

Clear Your Desk

Takes: Five to 15 minutes

When you're busy, it's easy to let your desk get messy. But a clean workspace will help you accomplish your tasks with a clearer mind when the work picks up again. Here's the key to properly clearing your desk: shut down your computer to avoid getting sucked into a distraction. Whether you're working in an office or working from home, take a few minutes to get rid of those items lying around that you don't use each day. File old paperwork and streamline the old sticky notes you have attached everywhere.

Complete a Quick Online Errand

Takes: Two to five minutes

You know that article you've been meaning to send to your mother? That item from Amazon you've been thinking about ordering? The restaurant you're wanting to look up before you try it this weekend? Choose one of those short errands and spend two minutes completing it.

Learn

Takes: Anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes

Slow days provide the opportunity to learn something new or work on strengthening a weaker talent. And as long as you truly don't have anything to do, most employers love to see workers showing initiative to increase their value on their own. Search for free online webinars you can attend—ones connected to your industry or field that could help with the parts of your job you think you could be better at. Or search for TEDTalks that might inspire you, boost your creativity or share hacks that could make you better at your job.

Text Someone

Takes: One minute

Don't we all owe someone a text? Take a minute or two and check in with someone you care about. Perhaps it's a family member that you've left hanging after they texted you days ago. Or maybe it's a friend you've been thinking about lately. Shoot off a quick text to them and you'll feel accomplished and relieved you no longer have that task in the back of your mind.