I work in IT so I can always bludge while looking like I am working by reading documents
this post was submitted on 15 Dec 2025
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What are your best tips for looking busy at work, while actually doing something you enjoy?
(piefed.blahaj.zone)
I've downloaded books (novels) in pdf format, emailed them to myself or uploaded them in a public folder, and then printed them (double sided, two pages on one sheet, just like an actual book) in chunks of 20 pages (so 80 pages of the actual book). Stapled the whole thing in one corner, sat down at my desk, pen in hand, scribbling on the pages here and there.
I'm in tech but not a dev, but i enjoy coding as a hobby. I code at work on my personal projects, it's perfect :)
Oh also for a a couple years I had Civilization V on a separate PC. Great for looking busy and focused :) Ofc you need a desk in such a way that nobody can sneak from behind. I was managing managers at the time so that wasn't a problem. "Ooh boss looks busy" - hell fucking yeah I'm about to pound Gandhi in Deity boss is busy godahmit
As a warning for people who live in countries that have poor worker rights:
Depending of your local laws, contract and field, personal projects done during work hours and/or on work hardware might be seen as companys property.
I always look annoyed. Yeah, when you look annoyed all the time, people think that you're busy.
-George Costanza
All these people saying "just find a job you like" sound very much like "just don't be poor" takes. Sometimes you are where you are, and that's what OP is asking about.
But if you are where you are, why not do a good job?
Working on my personal projects in a terminal.
The ultimate best is to enjoy your work, obviously.
I enjoy the work I do, but there’s often a lot of downtime. And I’m definitely not going to advertise that fact and ask for more work. I just feel like my time-killing options are limited, because I can’t use my actual computer to research and write, so I’m stuck scrolling on my phone.
Work on some professional development. Find a class or course to go through (preferably on the company dime) during the downtime. See if your company will pay for or reimburse some additional training.
That’s a good idea! I like making wikis Obsidian, so it might be fun to build a wiki out of professional development webinars. It could actually turn into a helpful resource
I personally have never understood that attitude. Dont get me wrong im not judging you. In my mind i just rather do something productive than idle on my phone, more so if there is even small change it will lead in to something better in the future and so far it has been paying off.
And from the employer side, if the shit hits the fan and there is layoffs, they will rather keep the dude that is effective and knows how to do things outside their job description, than the dude whose job has lots of downtime and they show bo enthuastism to doing other things.
If you like the work that you do, wouldnt you then find things to do while on the clock that you enjoy while also being productive.
Yes, but there’s only so much that can be done before a project needs funding or other people’s involvement to move forward. And in my workplace, there is a culture of “stay in your lane and don’t rock the boat”. So I have to choose carefully when and where I try to expand the boundaries of my role.
This culture thing seems to be the issue. The same job description at a different company with better a culture may or may not exist, but it's worth researching to find out.
I keep my eye out for positions that open up near me. Nothing interesting enough for me to endure the hassle of the hiring process to pursue, at least lately
One thing at a time. Dont start multiple things at once
I cant because one can see right on my screens. So i am just on my phone and if they ever question it, i have some open pages ready
The best way is to find a job you actually enjoy doing, and also that pays you more the busier you are.
Not the answer OP expected but the correct one. Doing strictly nonwork things at work can get you noticed in a bad way. I've had good and bad IT jobs and it's really amazing how a bad job can drive bad behaviors and a good job do the opposite.
If your profession has a professional society or industry has a trade association, look into webinars, certification classes, or other events they might have to learn more about your field and build skills. They often have opportunities to get involved with the organization as well, which could look good on paper to management when promotion opportunities arise...or new job applications if there are no promotions
I listen to podcasts while working. Earbuds in under my earmuffs (I work in the cooler of a slaughterhouse). I still do all my normal work, but at least I'm not bored to tears and having my anxiety attack my brain whenever it feels like it.
I’m big on podcasts too, I’d be bored to absolute tears without them
Use the tools you were provided for the purposes you provide.
Excel: Make your own calculations. You know, stuff like how long would it take to walk from Shire to Mordor? How rainy was last year compared to the ones before? Learn VBA and get creative with the macros. Generate art with conditional formatting. Make a macro that actively interferes with everything you write and slowly drives you mad. Ask Matt Parker for ideas on what kinds of fun things you can do with spreadsheets.
Word: Write your own fan fiction. Alternatively, you can paste an entire ebook in word and start reading. Abuse the formatting tools to produce modern art.
Power point: Abuse transitions and animations. See if you can recreate old school flash animations.
PowerShell: The sky is the limit. Get a web browser that runs in the terminal, and chill out on Lemmy.
I have a spreadsheet that I've set up to design dungeons and dragons maps.
Work from home!
If you want to use a personal computer at work without raising suspicion, use a KVM switch to connect it to your work monitor and keyboard. Not only can you switch back to work quickly if needed, but it also looks more natural than having a separate laptop or whatever sitting out on your desk.
I just listen to podcasts and music, and daydream as I work. I can't relax if I'm not working cos it's not worth the hassle, but I don't have to give the system my whole mind.
Find something you enjoy that you can spin as work-related. I learned about sqlite as a potential way to store the lexicon for one of my constructed languages and it ended up becoming relevant at work.
I've had similar luck with playing with raspberry pis and generic Linux stuff. I'm not just setting up a self hosted forum, I'm learning about reverse proxies.
I dabble in Python, and I’ve made a few scripts that are really helpful and speed up my work a lot. I’m trying to figure out how I can develop that further, right now I’m thinking about learning VBA to make scripts to automate file sorting from my Outlook
I enjoy the work.
Just enjoying the job 😎
But seriously now. Looks to me that you are looking for the combination of thing you enjoy and thing that brings you money. That can be a challenge but also very fulfilling. I know it - I lead a nonprofit organization that I profoundly believe in - it or both hard and easy.
You may look some YouTube videos about "life purpose". I have a good experience with Actualized.org.
I don't find what I do to give me "life purpose", but I still enjoy it. Web developer.
Find a job you actually like!
I love my job, so I pretend to be doing my job, at the same time enjoying myself.
Getting a job you enjoy
Why not just do your job?? Maybe you’ll find something about it you enjoy doing?
I do my job! The work-to-“hours I’m required to be there” ratio is just not in favor of keeping me occupied all the time