5 Productive Ways To Procrastinate Today

Feeling sleepy after your lunch hour? Can’t imagine opening another spreadsheet, calling another client, or writing another sentence? We’ve all been there. Indeed, it’s difficult to focus completely on one task for multiple hours at a time. But instead of scrolling through social media or staring at the ceiling, what if there were a way to procrastinate… productively?  

Yep, it turns out that you can take time away from the task you have at hand while recharging and paving the way for future productivity. Here are five of the best secrets for being proactive during your downtime.

“Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions,” says personal productivity expert Barbara Hemphill. Cleaning out your inbox lets you come back to all of the “I’ll deal with this later” emails, and finally decide if they’re worth paying attention to or not. It might also be a time to decide if you’re ever going to read that newsletter you subscribed to, or if you really need email updates from your social media accounts. Crafting a clean, pared-down inbox will ultimately help you focus and respond to the messages that are actually important.

 2. Watch Youtube Videos (Think: TED talks!)

If you really can’t focus, and need a hands-off procrastination break, watching videos online can be a great way to sit back while also learning more and gaining inspiration. Whatever your profession, there are certainly relevant videos that can help you learn more about specific aspects of your job, if you look far and wide enough. Additionally, TED talks like Sheryl Sandberg’s “Why we have too few women leaders” or Casey Brown’s “Know your worth, and then ask for it” are relevant to any daily work life, and can offer the inspiration and motivation you need to restore productivity to your day.

 3. Update your iPhone

Not only can a software update give your phone a newfound efficiency, cleaning out unused apps, old photos, and archived messages can free up storage and make it easier for you to easily find what you’re looking for. While you’re at it, there are a variety of career-boosting and productivity-influencing apps that you can add to your phone to get the most out of your limited storage space.

 4. Chat with your co-workers

Going for a cup of coffee in the breakroom is one of the best ways you can proactively procrastinate. Chatting informally with your co-workers can help you work through minor problems you’re having, make new connections outside of your circle, and learn more about the different facets of life at your company. Collaboration, however informal, is key to collective success. Bonding with coworkers is also a way to become more invested in your company’s culture, which is critical for fostering a fulfilling workplace and a collaborative climate.

A pile of last week coffee cups or a loose stack of papers cluttering your workspace can not only be distracting, but also be a hindrance to your productivity. Cleaning your desk can be a satisfying way to bring some peace to your workspace and peace of mind. While you’re at it, another way to take a break from working is to decorate your desk or workspace with photos, quotes, or anything else that will inspire you when you look up from your work.