Tired of staring off into space while you're at work? Does boredom rule the day? We all have our days when the hands of the clock seem to laugh at us when we check the time, never seeming to advance more than a few minutes no matter how many hours you think have passed. Time slows to a crawl and the end of the day seems light years away. Here are a few easy ways to break up the daily routine at the office, so you can keep your sanity. Keeping your job? That's another story altogether.
Top 10 ways to break up your daily routine.
10. Learn a New Language - There's all kinds of programs you can get, or just have fun sending obscene foreign messages to your friends with the Google translator. Careful who you send them to though, you could be insulting someone's mother in a language they actually speak.
9. Head to the gym - If you're feeling bored and lethargic, the best way to get your mind and body pumping is to hit the gym during your lunch hour. But for goodness' sake, take a shower before you come back.
8. Caller ID - Change the caller ID on a co-worker's phone to read Sassy McGoober every time he calls someone. Should be a great ice-breaker for that big sales call he/she has planned later in the day.
7. Hijack a computer - Sneak onto someone else's computer when they're out to lunch and send out a mass email-invite to an S&M party at their house. Then hide in the bushes and take pictures of everybody who shows up, so you've got some leverage next time you go to ask for a raise.
6. Eat - Who cares if you've taken your break already? Chili's has a new Bottomless Lunch offer that sounds great right about now. Unlimited soup, salad, chips & salsa? Sold.
5. Get a hobby - Try something new for a change. You can take an online Photoshop class while pretending to work, or check out one of those Rosetta Stone language programs.
4. Go home early - You've already done your self-imposed ten minutes of dedicated work for the day - what’s the point of staying in the office? Go get some rest and gear up for another mind-blowingly productive ten minutes tomorrow.
3. Ask for a raise - Couldn't hurt. For all you know, they think you're a hard worker. After all, those security cameras are just for intimidation - it's not like anyone's watching you sleep under your desk. Right?
2. Leave your desk and talk to people - Break the ice for once - prove you're not as creepy as they think you are. Just don't start off by showing them your fingernail collection.
1. Actually get some work done for a change! You complain to anyone who will listen that you're underpaid - maybe it's because you're underperforming! Step it up, other people are bound to notice, and you'll be happy with the results.
