You might not be on a call or on a project deadline, but that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing productive that you can do. These downtimes are the perfect time to catch up on little tasks that you might usually put off until they get out of hand.
1. Actually Read Those Newsletters
Chances are, you get a lot of newsletters. Chances are, sometimes you get to these, and sometimes you don’t. Those that you don’t get around to immediately, you just might leave for a rainy day. Now could be that day.
If this process reminds you why you don’t get around to those newsletters in good time, consider unsubscribing from a few of them. That can help keep your inbox tidy in the future.
2. Clean Up Your Inbox and Junk Files
While you’re going through those newsletters, you may realize that some have become a little dated. Old newsletters probably aren’t the only emails in your inbox that are showing a little age. Going through and deleting old conversations and outdated newsletters can do wonders when it comes to tidying your inbox.
Tidying your inbox makes it easier to find the emails that you still need, and who knows, you may find some that you still need to reply to that got buried. And remember to look through your junk folders from time to time. Important stuff can find its way into those files.
3. Clean Out Your Cookies and Browser History
Another thing that you should probably be doing more often and could definitely be doing right now is cleaning your cookies and browser history. You can just wipe either of these clean, but as long as you’ve got some time on your hands, you might want to “curate” them instead.
Neglected cookie caches and browser histories can both slow down your browsers. But, they also influence what you see on those browsers. You can navigate the internet more efficiently if you leave the cookies and history entries that you regularly use and delete cookies and history entries from sites that you don’t use anymore.
Different browsers put their data management tools in different places, but both can usually be accessed through a stacked or flat dots icon in the upper right-hand corner of the main toolbar near the search bar. Clearing cookies takes more time than clearing your history because cookies have a bigger impact on your browsing experience.
Most of the items in this list have to do with your laptop or desktop computer. However, every device that accesses the internet has cookies and history. So, make sure that you remember to clear browser caches on tablets and smartphones too.
4. Clean Out Files on Your Hard Drive and Cloud Drives
Space is limited—even digital space. Letting unneeded files pile up on your computer can reduce the space available for things like applications, system programs, and games (if you’re into that kind of thing).
You might keep a clean-enough desktop, and the folders that you use most regularly might be in order, but when was the last time you went through the downloads folder or the recycling bin? These oft-neglected spaces can take up a lot of memory space on your devices.
It’s easy to think that cloud drives have unlimited space and to let them run wild. Most people access cloud storage through subscription models that do have storage limitations. Most people are allowed more space than they’ll ever live to use, but even if you aren’t running out of space, organizing now can save you time later.
5. Make Sure That Your Physical Papers Are in Order
We live increasingly digital lives, but some documents probably still come in the mail. While all of this time is going into maintaining your digital file organization, make sure that your physical papers aren’t getting out of hand.
File what can be filed, shred what needs to be shredded, and make sure that all of your bills are paid!
6. It’s Never Too Early to Think About Your Taxes
As long as you’ve got your hands on physical documents, it’s never too early to be thinking about your taxes. That’s particularly true if you are self-employed or have contract side-gigs and need to keep a closer eye on income and expenses.
This isn’t a place for financial and tax advice; hopefully, you have your own system. Whatever that system is, slow workdays can be just what the accountant ordered for keeping all of your ducks in a row.
7. Get Ahead of Software Subscriptions
If you have subscriptions for things like antivirus software, word processor and spreadsheet software, and other content, consider using this time to investigate when those subscriptions expire and whether you can renew them early.
Chances are you’ll get a notification when your subscription end-date approaches, but checking before those notifications come in can help you to avoid lapses in service. Further, renewing a subscription early or for longer periods at a time can usually save you money.
8. Update Professional Social Pages
You don’t need to be on the job hunt to develop your presence on professional social media sites like LinkedIn. Maintaining a positive presence on these platforms can help increase your personal worth and the worth of the companies you work in and around.
Any and all social media sites can and should be leveraged for your professional advancement, but be sure not to let this be an excuse to waste time on them. This time can be used constructively by engaging with and expanding your network, recording recent achievements, and taking part in polls and conversations.
9. Schedule and Think Ahead
Having a little downtime to do tasks like these is normal. But, if it’s a recurring thing for you, it might be time to think about why that is. Try to use this time to fill out your schedule for the future so that you don’t end up sitting on your hands too much.
If you get paid by the hour, it can be tempting to leave this time empty. However, if you do find more things that you could be doing, consider taking on more tasks or responsibilities (for just compensation, of course).
Get to Work!
The times when you don’t have anything to do are the best times to do the things that you normally put off. If you don’t have any deadlines, calls, or meetings on your schedule, it can be hard to come up with productive tasks. But, think about it a little, and there’s always one more thing that you can do.
