what to do when there's nothing to do:

Kate's post made me laugh, because I'm sitting here in my office with absolutely NOTHING to do. My boss has been gone on vacation for a week, and while she brought her blackberry with her (more than I would do in her situation), it's not as if she's approving my reports & giving me permission to move on without her while she's on the other side of the country.

I finished my boss-invented "to do" list last week and spent Thursday & Monday making documents *extra* pretty and thinking up ways to get ahead of the game (and maybe win a few brownie points--like starting a new grant proposal). But it's not even noon, and here I am blogging instead of trying to focus on anything work-related. I can't even force myself to edit the excel mailing lists.

While this won't help Kate, it might help me, and others who find themselves without enough tasks to fill their inboxes:

(1) Make a list of mindless tasks that aren't urgent and might never get done unless there's downtime--when you find yourself 2 weeks from your last day or boss-less, attack the list. I always feel a significant sense of accomplishment when I complete menial tasks with a visual pay off (stamping 500 letters).

(2) Read. I have 3 books on my desk that I'm supposed to absorb (by osmosis?), and one can never have too much of current world events. Double points if you take notes/write up a report (for yourself) while reading. You could even create a reading list of books, authors and articles that helped you get where you are--not a bad thing to pass on to your successor.

(3) Look around your office--are there filing cabinets that could stand to be organized? Maybe the printer needs more paper. You could deliver the mail. Do your coworkers need help putting together packets or proofreading? Your time can help the work get done faster & help you gain some currency with your coworkers--you never know when one will be called upon to report on your work to a new employer!