Quiet periods

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Discussion

fourstardan

Original Poster:

5,004 posts

151 months

Friday 1st December 2023
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I think I did about one thing today that was productive, it was extremely quiet and I had no calls in the diary. (I'm in IT).

Does anyone else get this and how do you deal with it? I find it plays a bit on me and I have to do stuff like online training but there is only so much I can do.

As for asking for more work, I know we have a shed load of work coming next year so do I take the ebb at the moment before the flow comes in?

Gargamel

15,217 posts

268 months

Sunday 3rd December 2023
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Yep, got to take the dips when they come. Clear up your personal admin, take a couple of online training courses (I watch PowerPoint videos for tips ). Plan a holiday for after the busy period. Sort out some networking or something similar.

I often review my calendar, catch up with old colleagues, that kind of stuff. It’s also a good time to pause, think differently and either think with a more strategic view, or improve something so it’s better next time.

Countdown

42,033 posts

203 months

Monday 4th December 2023
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fourstardan said:
I think I did about one thing today that was productive, it was extremely quiet and I had no calls in the diary. (I'm in IT).

Does anyone else get this and how do you deal with it? I find it plays a bit on me and I have to do stuff like online training but there is only so much I can do.

As for asking for more work, I know we have a shed load of work coming next year so do I take the ebb at the moment before the flow comes in?
I work in Finance and there are peaks and troughs each month and each year (month end/year end). because the peaks/troughs are fairly regular it's easy to plan for them. i tend to have a 2nd "to do list" of things that need doing when it's quieter.

blue_haddock

3,866 posts

74 months

Monday 4th December 2023
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I work in a highly seasonal job where we probably do 75% of our years work in 4 months of the year.

Right now i'm playing games on my phone and browsing pistonheads whilst being paid by the firm!

You take the rough with the smooth/ busy with the not so busy!

Ashfordian

2,168 posts

96 months

Monday 4th December 2023
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fourstardan said:
I think I did about one thing today that was productive, it was extremely quiet and I had no calls in the diary. (I'm in IT).

Does anyone else get this and how do you deal with it? I find it plays a bit on me and I have to do stuff like online training but there is only so much I can do.

As for asking for more work, I know we have a shed load of work coming next year so do I take the ebb at the moment before the flow comes in?
I suspect this is the new normal with WFH and Friday's in the run up to Xmas. Most people are probably keeping the online retailers busy on Friday 'WFH' days.

Dan17

315 posts

118 months

Wednesday 6th December 2023
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I get this too but luckily I am self employed and WFH so I can do stuff about the house, go for a walk/cycle (weather permitting) and still be reachable on the phone should anything urgent come up.

Can be frustrating though, particularly when the weather is as bad as it has been recently.

Bathroom_Security

3,465 posts

124 months

Thursday 7th December 2023
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I'm in IT (Pro Services)

Summer is my quiet time, winter right up to Christmas is back to back work, extremely busy.

You're in IT, use your free time productively. Like study, or pistonheads.