What to do when you finish early

Get ahead, relax, or dream big

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Episode Transcript

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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the AD Council. Good morning,
This is Laura. Welcome to the New Corner Office, the

(01:26):
podcast where we share strategies for thriving in the new
world of work, where location and hours are more flexible
than in the past. Today's tip is about what to
do when you finish early. There are ways you can
invest that extra time to yield dividends in the future.
It's a good idea for everyone, and especially remote workers,

(01:48):
to measure an honest day's work by what you've accomplished,
not the amount of time you've sat at your desk.
With that mindset, you'll sometimes finish your priorities for the
day before you generally call it quits. What do you
do then, Well, you've got lots of options. First consider

(02:09):
getting ahead, start on and maybe complete your top priority
for tomorrow. It feels great to be a day or
more ahead of schedule on meeting your goals. This creates
a buffer for those times when your day does not
go as planned. Just like building in white space to
your calendar, staying ahead allows you to do your best

(02:30):
work without feeling pressed for time. If you're already a
few days ahead, or if your work can't really be
done in advance, you can use extra time for self
directed professional development. Read a trade publication or a book
on a topic that pertains to your job. If you
need ideas, try browsing the business section of your local

(02:51):
library or bookstore. Ask colleagues for recommendations. Another option is
to use extra time for a self direct did project,
perhaps an idea for a new product or service, or
an improvement to operations that you think will benefit your organization.
When you finish early, work on developing and testing your concept.

(03:14):
That way, you can present a plan to your boss
rather than just an idea. Because people are a good
use of time, on days you finish your work early,
you can invest in your professional relationships. Reach out to
a friend from a former job to say hello, or
share an article or podcast with a colleague who'd enjoy it.

(03:37):
Of course, others may not have finished their work early,
so picking up the phone hoping for an hour long
chat is probably not the best idea for three pm
on a Tuesday, but a quick conversation can work, and
if your colleague happens to be free for a virtual
coffee break at three o'clock on a Tuesday. Well, that's

(03:58):
great too. Building a career is a marathon, not a sprint,
and sustainability is important. So another option for those days
when you've finished early is too Simply call it a day,
go for a walk, read a novel, call your sister.
Although workplaces vary in many contexts, you don't have to

(04:21):
stay glued to your desk until quitting time if you've
already done what you need to do. This is not
junior high. There are no bills telling you when you're
allowed to leave. The next time you finish early, don't
just scroll through email and brustle your papers. Make the
most of the time, whether you get ahead, build your skills,

(04:46):
pursue a pet project, nourish relationships, or just call it
a day. Don't just pass the time, make the most
of it. What do you do when you finish early?
You can let me know at Laura at Laura Vanderkam
dot com. In the meantime, this is Laura, Thanks for listening,

(05:08):
and here's the succeeding in the New Corner Office. The
New Corner Office is a production of I Heart Radio.
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