Author Topic: Help Me Screw Around  (Read 5310 times)

Peter Parker

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Help Me Screw Around
« on: February 24, 2017, 02:01:05 PM »
My job.  Ugh.  Can't stand it anymore.

I've got 4 years to FI.  But my job has become automated to the point where I can get all my work done in 2.5 days.  I used to really enjoy it--I felt I was doing something worthwhile and contributing to the common good, but now I don't feel like I'm doing much because most of the work is automated and there is no room to change within the organization.  Because of pension, age, etc, let's just say I can't leave and take another job.  So....I need your help killing time.

Here's some limitations:

I can't just leave.  I have to be in my office.
I can't just blatantly be "wasting time."  I have to appear to look busy.
I can only "gab" with people so much
I can't use the computer for "personal time."  It is monitored.

I feel like my soul is being sucked out me every day.  Yet, I am lucky to (1) have a job; (2) have one that pays this much with great benefits; (3) when I do work, the work is fulfilling.

I need suggestions on things I can do that will get me through the slow times...Any ideas?

Hotstreak

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2017, 02:08:41 PM »
I have audiobooks on my phone, which I can listen to with headphones or earbuds.  Podcasts also work well!

OthalaFehu

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2017, 02:14:49 PM »
What about doing all the 'computer stuff' on your smart phone?

Kegel exercises?

Mastering levitation?

Write out a story, unlikely 'Word' in monitored, or do it longhand, old school.

MandyM

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2017, 02:17:30 PM »
Not being able to use the computer is definitely a problem, but is there any volunteer work that you could do either by hand or on your phone? I manage a couple of volunteers that do emails, social media, web based tasks. Tapping on your phone probably doesn't qualify as "looking busy", but what about actually talking to people on the phone?

Is everything on the computer monitored? Or just internet use?

Frankies Girl

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2017, 02:19:09 PM »
One day a week could have a several hour period of deep cleaning your space. I'd get towels, cleaning supplies and whatever tools you need, and disassemble your computer, wipe down/decrumb keyboard, cords, desk surfaces, shelving, etc...

Can also go through and organize/archive files on your computer. Print out files that might be needed to refer to if system is down and put into binder, then organize binders.

Research new programs. Not sure what exactly you do, but you might ask your boss for permission to view youtube videos or other type of tutorials online that can teach you tips/tricks for software you already use regularly (Xcel? Word? Photoshop?) Can also find efficiency or organizational videos online that might be pertinent. As long as you get permission to do so during downtime, I would think you could alert the powers that be (whomever is in charge of monitoring your computer usage) that you may be doing this and boss approved.

Ask coworkers if you can help them? Ask boss for any extra projects/work? Volunteer to run office errands (coffee runs, or getting supplies) or cleaning the kitchen or organizing meetings?




Guesl982374

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2017, 02:20:54 PM »
Take your lunch early or late that way you can take your full lunch break when people are working and half of theirs when they aren't at their desks.

Listen to music?
Is just the internet monitored because if it is, download books in PDF form at night and read on PC.
Is there further educational opportunities that you are interested that you could get the company to pay for that you could study during working hours?
Pixel art?
Pretend you are on a conference call with your office door closed so you can do some form of exercise (body weight squats, etc)?

druth

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #6 on: February 24, 2017, 02:45:11 PM »
What about doing all the 'computer stuff' on your smart phone?

Kegel exercises?

Mastering levitation?

Write out a story, unlikely 'Word' in monitored, or do it longhand, old school.

I had a job where for a while I could finish my work in an hour a day.  Writing on a legal pad is a great way to look busy, even if you happen to be writing about a robot war.

My other screwing around tactics have been mostly mentioned but audiobooks were one I utilized a lot, and then just leave a spreadsheet open and stare at it while you listen.
« Last Edit: February 24, 2017, 02:48:13 PM by druth »

G-dog

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2017, 02:48:11 PM »
Is there any online training via your company or a professional organization you belong too?

Does your company so seminars? If not, have they talked about it - would you be willing to help develop a seminar series?

How does you company handle compliance? Safety was a big core value at my previous company - I led safety meetings for my department for two years. I also selected topics, developed presentations, and/ invited speakers - that all takes time.

Document your projects or processes - that takes an inordinate amount of time! Thus could possibly be further developed into a handbook for your group.

Is there anyone in your group or company that needs a mentor or training?

Are there any resource groups in the company you can join? E.g., employee diversity groups, public outreach, school outreach, etc.

It's great if you can come up something that benefits your company (productivity and company culture are both valuable).

fuzzy math

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2017, 03:13:56 PM »
Office scavenger hunt? Use the bathroom furthest away from your office. Find different paths to go places. Linger there.
Schedule breaks. 10:30 am, time to heat some water to brew coffee or tea! 1 pm - go outside to make a 5 minute phone call on your cell.
Move things. Do a silent psychological experiment where something is different and sit back and watch other's reactions.
Amazon has an interesting category of "ADHD fidget toys"

My first thought when I read this thread title was that you were looking for permission to cheat on your spouse. So in that vein, I think you should do something outrageous. Once in my professional program, we had a contest to see who could get the farthest from our school without getting caught. Some of us got on the train and went a few miles north. We were terrified. We got off and took the first train back. No one noticed. It was pretty awesome. Give yourself a story to remember just how ridiculous your job was "Remember that time I ________?"

Or you could always go the high route and ask for more tasks to fill your time...
« Last Edit: February 24, 2017, 03:16:56 PM by fuzzy math »

Just Joe

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2017, 03:31:14 PM »
http://portableapps.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PortableApps.com

Don't know if that would isolate your activities enough. IT would still see your network activity BUT now you'd have apps that didn't PRESUMABLY leave a trail on your computer b/c they all run from the thumb drive. Get something fast and big if you need to buy a new thumb drive. A USB3/32GB is plenty, more is better.

Beware of looking like you are performing corporate espionage though...

I know people who use these at college/university so that they don't have to rely on computer lab software for email (email goes with you), browsing (bookmarks and history go with you), and office (LibreOffice, might prefer LibreOffice over MS Office, I do).

Extensive movie, music and audiobook collection on your phone? Thumb drive?

Write a book using PortableApps LibreOffice Writer or FocusWriter? Save to your thumb drive.

I had a similar situation at a previous job. Automated the heck out of the job, lots of down time. In the end our IT support questioned the amount of bandwidth I was consuming. I had a partially legit reason and backed off on how much I was streaming (audio and video). No further problems. i was using YouTube for music, tutorial videos, etc.

Then spent time improving my computer skills on software like 2D and 3D-CAD among other things. Left for greener pastures with these new skills some time after that. Took my self-created automation with me b/c they lied to me repeatedly (false promises) and paid low market salaries. Went across town to the next job and never looked back. 
« Last Edit: February 24, 2017, 03:39:08 PM by Tasty Pinecones »

AZDude

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #10 on: February 24, 2017, 03:34:27 PM »
First, is your computer really monitored? What is the punishment if you are caught surfing the internet? Second, you say you cannot "blatantly waste time", but is that true? Do people often come by and check on you?

Things you can do...

1) Alter your schedule so you come in earlier/later than anyone else. Because you are always the first/last one to enter/leave, no one really knows how long you are at work. This allows some flexibility with your schedule. Assuming you are too chicken to simply say "I finished my work for the day, I'm leaving now, not at 5PM".

2) Take advantage of anything your workplace has to offer. Gym? Use it. Cafeteria? Go hang out and them come back and eat lunch at your desk.

3) If it is big organization, they often had committees of people who do useless things. Stuff like the employee relations committee that sets up after-work happy hour and stuff like that. Or there are innovation committees that discuss things that will probably never be implemented. Even committees that look into charitable giving by the company. Get involved in some of that nonsense to help time go by faster.

4) Play games on your phone. Make sure they do not use data and if possible, are free.

5) Learn a skill? Want to learn programming? You have time and will look very busy.

6) Read books on PDF.

7) Listen to podcasts/books on tape on your phone.

8) Take many, many short breaks. Like get up every hour or so and take a 15 minute walk.

9) Write a story.

10) Browse your company's intranet and read about all the ridiculous policies they have.



Txtriathlete

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #11 on: February 24, 2017, 03:40:37 PM »
Congratulations, you are now head of the Holiday Planning Committee! Seriously tho, sounds like you are ripe to compete for Union Steward or any other additional duty that would take time out of the work day.

I went through this a few year ago, I ended up taking a whole bunch of classes offered through work online (an a few I paid for myself) in preparation for my post-FIRE life. 

Frankies Girl

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #12 on: February 24, 2017, 03:43:31 PM »
My local library uses the app Hoopla to download music, audio books and movies. If I was really, really unable to find anything whatsoever to do, I'd download a few movies/books/tv shows and watch on my phone/tablet and have a random file open on the work computer to look as if I'm doing something. Since the files are already downloaded, you wouldn't even have to use their internet. I'd set the phone at an angle so that you can see anyone walking in on you so you can stop before being discovered.

Oh! What about asking to teach others something? You could schedule meetings for a few hours a day 1-2 days a week and run a class on something work related?

accolay

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #13 on: February 24, 2017, 06:43:51 PM »
I thought this thread might be about something completely different...

Anyway....

Long bathroom breaks with good book?

MM_MG

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #14 on: February 24, 2017, 10:16:48 PM »
If you have an office you can close the door get a foam roll and spend some time rolling out.   I also download audio books and regular books from my local library using the Overdrive app. 

pbkmaine

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #15 on: February 24, 2017, 11:11:56 PM »
In a similar situation I brought a tablet with a high data limit to work every day. It was loaded with books and magazines from my library. I surfed the internet, brushed up on my German, learned database and spreadsheet techniques, paid bills and monitored investments and spent a lot of time catching up with friends online. I hand wrote letters to relatives in my parents' generation who weren't online. I even considered taking up genealogy. People who came into my office generally saw my work email up on my computer screen.

RunningintoFI

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #16 on: February 24, 2017, 11:33:15 PM »
This might be my favorite thread I have yet read on the MMM forum. 

koshtra

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #17 on: February 25, 2017, 12:00:41 AM »
I'll chime in with G-dog: if it's not already done -- documenting your processes and making up a handbook for your successor is useful work, interesting in itself, and takes up a surprising amount of time. A lot of people who intend to do it don't budget enough time for it, and end up leaving a smoothly running machine that promptly breaks down because no one else can figure out how to run it.

Apart from that... be careful. Really wasting time burns holes in your soul, man. Trust me on this one.

COEE

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #18 on: February 25, 2017, 05:26:34 AM »
Ask for more work?  6 mo later (after additional work is going well) ask for a significant raise.  This could backfire, but generally will add value to yourself and your company.

Peter Parker

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #19 on: February 25, 2017, 09:02:07 AM »
Just wanted to say "thank you" for everyone's suggestions--some I have already implemented, and others I will take into consideration.  Anyone else have any ideas?  Keep em coming!

MMMaybe

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #20 on: February 25, 2017, 12:44:32 PM »
I used to download newspaper articles into Word style format. So it looked like I was editing a document. Meanwhile, I was becoming very well-rounded in terms of current affairs. It was a great opportunity to get through those very long articles that I am usually too impatient to read.


Frankies Girl

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #21 on: February 25, 2017, 01:23:26 PM »
One place I worked at started a fitness club... every day in the afternoon, they would shoot out an email to the office to alert anyone interested to meet up in the lobby at like 3pm (gotta give everyone at least 15 minutes notice so they can switch to comfy shoes if needed) and go for a walk around the building area (outside if it was nice) for a half hour. They also had a weight loss challenge that you could sign up for and the company offered a gift card for the most weight lost each year.

Someone also arranged for a trainer to come out and teach a class on CPR certification to any that was interested. And had someone out to do wellness checks, and another company in my building organized a blood drive (this might be something you could get established for every quarter).

All of this type of thing was approved through HR since getting the workers fit and healthy also helped the company (companies generally love reducing health issues of their workers as it means less cost in insurance sometimes).

rantk81

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #22 on: February 25, 2017, 02:00:12 PM »
This might be a little too technical for some folks... but I solved the "computer monitoring" issue at work by:

1. Installed a linux virtual machine with "drive encryption" on the virtual hard drive
2. Set up the virtual machine so that it would tunnel everything through an ssl/ssh connection/proxy running at home.
3. I have multiple monitors at work, and I angled one of them so that it is barely visible to anyone just casually walking by my cubicle
4. Hot-key to minimize the visualized environment


ElleFiji

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #23 on: February 25, 2017, 03:38:13 PM »
I think it's important that you divide up your work, so you do 4-ish hours of work daily. That will keep the fun as fun.

I hope you are allowed to read industry related news and blogs. This one can be hugely fun, as you can work through an entire blog, then an entire linked blog, etc.

Stretching breaks with your coffee breaks.
Figuring out which other employee is in your boat and schedule meetings.

You are now the chief organizer of tasty Tuesdays. This is a potluck of tasty treats, every tuesday. You don't mind doing the organizing and clean up.
Get permission to develop a list of people willing to participate in trivia Fridays. Making the quiz can be done on Wednesday and Thursday. Spend Friday reading answers and assigning scores.

Does work have a prayer or meditation room? You need mindfulness.

Monday you can deliver lottery results and collect for next week. Tuesday you can photocopy results and give everyone a copy of their ticket.

retired?

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #24 on: February 26, 2017, 02:36:34 PM »
Ask for more work?  6 mo later (after additional work is going well) ask for a significant raise.  This could backfire, but generally will add value to yourself and your company.

Agree.  Only risk in this is that it points out that the job you have isn't really full-time.  In some cases, this could annoy manager or result in laying off teammates so that the right number of people are assigned to the task.

I had a friend whose job was essentially over by about 2pm.  The main input had to be done around then and the only thing afterwards was reconciliations (for mistakes or adjustments).  He always stood up and said "well, I guess it's Miller time", and left.  The others were either less efficient or didn't "feel right" about leaving at that time.  One of his teammates went for an hour long run each day (followed by shower, etc.) and about an hour talking sports on the phone. 

I fake worked a bit.  Took long walks after lunch.  Read.  Be gone 20-30 minutes at a time, available via text.  There are ways, but it always sucks as compared to being fully occupied or being allowed to leave.

bunchbikes

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Re: Help Me Screw Around
« Reply #25 on: February 27, 2017, 11:35:32 AM »
I need suggestions on things I can do that will get me through the slow times...Any ideas?

Start a business.  It's much easier with free access to a computer, which you said you don't really have.  Get creative though... there's a way.

I was full-timing it, then started a business in my evenings. I then started working on the business for 60-90 min a day on my breaks from teaching. After a year and a half, the business was making way more money than teaching was, so I quit teaching.  Now I work from home on my business. Or sometimes I go play with my kid all day instead.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!