How to Make the Most of Your Free Time at Work

How to Make the Most of Your Free Time at Work We all lead a very busy life where a majority of the time goes into working at our jobs. It is difficult to find time for ourselves after office hours; it almost feels like a dream when a client cancels at the last minute or a meeting is rescheduled for some other day or you find that there are fewer tasks on your plate than usual.We often dream about having some downtime at work but don’t know how to utilize the free time when we actually do have some in our hands.Photo Credit â€" Pixabay.comDon’t waste it staring blankly at your computer screen. Instead utilize this time productively in a way it benefits you not just in building your career in the long run but also rewards you instantly.evalHere are some of the ways in which you can make the most of your free time at work:1. Ask for additional workWhen on a busy schedule, we usually pass on some projects that we feel are beyond our current skill set and knowledge. We do so because we know it will take longer than usual to finis h such projects. Chances are some of these projects might still be with your boss.So, the next time you find some free time at work, reach out to your boss and ask him to let you have a look at some of the pending tasks. It will allow you to spend some time researching and come up with a solution as to how you can complete a particular task. Your boss will thank you for helping him / her out. Also, you will end up learning something new.2. Expand your knowledge and skill setIf you always wanted to enroll yourself for a certification, course or a higher degree for a long time, now is the right time. However, do keep your boss informed about your intentions so that s/he keeps the workload light once your education starts.For example, those who may be currently involved in content marketing can think of expanding their knowledge in various other tools of digital marketing.You can even seek permission to attend events, seminar or participate in webinars related to the field. Not only wi ll it prepare you for a better role in the digital marketing field but you will also feel happy for utilizing your free time in a productive manner.3. Revamp your CVYou may not be looking for a job change but that shouldn’t stop you from updating your CV. You never know when a good opportunity comes by. A professional should always keep an eye on good opportunities and be prepared to apply for the same.evalKeeping your CV updated is one way of being prepared. When we are working in an organization for long, we don’t realize how greatly our job role evolves. We only come to notice it once we sit down to update our CVs.To avoid leaving things for the last minute, make it a habit of updating the document on a regular basis. It will compel you to stay updated about the latest CV writing trends also.4. Touch base with your colleagues / ex-colleaguesOften professionals find it difficult to network. It feels more like a task to them. Something they would rather not take up. However, it is important to touch base with people in your network so that you know how they are and what they are doing.Getting in touch with your colleagues and ex-colleagues only when you are looking for a job is not a good practice to follow. You will never be able to build solid relations with them.evalEngaging with them on a regular basis, exchanging knowledge and sharing your views on industry related topics will help you stay updated and fostering solid relationships with your colleagues/ex-colleagues will come naturally.5. Do something you always wanted toIt is not necessary to always keep yourself involved with work related things only. It is perfectly okay to get involved with things you always wanted to do apart from work. Volunteer for a cause your organization supports. Leave office on time to spend it with your family and friends.Join a gym or enroll yourself for a hobby class you always wanted to attend. Taking your mind off from work once in a while only makes you more product ive. So, don’t think twice before indulging in some ‘me-time’.The time that has gone will never come back. However, how you spend your time in the present will shape your future. If you wish to see yourself as a happy individual and a successful professional, follow the above-mentioned tips.If you have some tips of your own, do share with us in the comments section below.