How I get away with doing nothing at work

First this isn’t about not doing your job. That will get you fired. But if you know how to get paid without doing work let me know in the comments. I’m interested.

For example, my first job to was digitize papers. I had to digitize 100 pages a week. I wrote a python script that used some OCR to enter the info into the spreadsheet they wanted. I got their task done in one day. then got to relax. YAY

This is more about persuading your employer that you are contributing to the productivity and profitability of your organization, while creating ample space for relaxing, innovating, and renewing yourself.

Doing nothing extra.

I am a strong believer in what Bill Gates who once said,

“I choose a lazy person to do a hard job. Because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.”

But, JUST to ensure that you don’t tip over from lazy genius to sluggish sloth, here is what to do:

1. “Embrace the Bots” and automate where you can. There are SO MANY modern technology solutions available that provide automation for time-consuming, repetitive tasks like generating routine reports or drip-feeding generic emails. Before you groan ‘No more learning!’, remember, a couple of hours of you grappling with technology might save you endless, mind-numbing hours later. couch-chatgpt-can-help-cough

2. “Trust your team” if your responsibility level allows you to delegate tasks, then exercise this right. Trust your team with their assigned duties. Just don’t becomes one of those cruddy managers or bosses with their feet up on the table watching everyone else do everything. Try to still contribute. Balance is key.

3. “Leverage your sweet spot” What are those crucial tasks that you excel at, tasks that create the maximum positive impact? Prioritize these roles over others. Get other people to do other stuff. Do the stuff you’re great at. This will be your path to creating the maximum ripples with the least number of pebbles.

4. “Efficiency is key” There are ways to do your job faster without cutting corners. You might laugh at the idea of using keyboard shortcuts, but small efficiencies can add up to substantial time-saving over the long haul. And saving time is as good as creating it. Make some macros.

5. “The power of ‘No’” Just as important as knowing what to do, is knowing what NOT to do. Tactfully declining work that’s outside your direct role not only preserves your time and energy but also signals respect for your own role and responsibilities. And remember, no means no.

Now that we have lightened your task-list, let’s look at how to optimise your ‘empty’ time:

1. Take a “Mental sabbaticals” since the human brain is not designed for relentless, unending labour. Take short breaks to give your mind a breather — meditate, walk, hydrate. This is not ‘doing nothing’, rather it’s recharging your ‘productive potential’.

Something I used to do a lot was fill my water cup half-way. That way I had to get up more often to fill up with water. Each time was an opportunity to take a break.

2. Become a “Master of time” and learn to efficiently manage downtime or unexpected breaks, like a rescheduled meeting. Use that time to recharge, or brainstorm. This is where the ‘Nothing’ becomes ‘Something’.

Let’s not forget, this is about creating the illusion of ‘doing nothing’ while actually galvanizing your hidden potential at work. So let’s redefine ‘doing nothing’: it’s not about shirking work, but providing a stage for your creativity and innovation to dance on. This is about smart work, and ‘active relaxation’. This is about getting away with doing ‘nothing’ — the smart way.