What to Do With Your Free Time - The Muse

What to Do With Your Free Time - The MuseWhat to Do With Your Free Time After weeks of working late, running on little sleep (and a lot of caffeine), and getting through your very long list of to-dos, youve finally stumbled upon some free time.The big question What do you do with it? Catch up on your favorite shows (Veep anyone)? Go out for a nice meal? Take a long, well-deserved nap? Start working on that proposal coming up in a few weeks?Wait, what? Yes, free time implies freedom from work- so why would anyone do mora of it?Doesnt it feel really good sometimes to get ahead when we have an hour or two to spare? Theres really nothing wrong with it, plus it usually means more free time later on (and less work-until-you-fall-asleep weeks). With that said, theres also nothing wrong with turning off your computer and leaving the office at 6 PM sharp. Choices, choices.When faced with the ultimate dilemma of tackling another platzdeckchen of assignments or turning it in for the day, heres what you should considerYou Should Enjoy it if Your Schedule Looks Clear for the Next Few WeeksThe most important thing to do when youve been stressed for a long period of time is to release it. When it comes to making tomorrow slightly more relaxing, Muse Career Coach Dr. Suzanne Gelb says Tonight, after work, make time to do whatever you need to do to release pent-up emotions in a safe way. Run. Journal. Punch a punching bag or a pillow. Hurl paint on a canvas. Sing at the top of your lungs. These little things are worthy of your free time.But Get Ahead if Your Next Weeks Just as PackedConsider what lies ahead of you Is next week better or worse? If you know youre going to be overwhelmed again soon, it could be helpful to take some time (not all of your time) to tackle some upcoming tasks. And yes, picking the easier choices is allowed- such as outlining an upcoming presentation, making a to-do list for a big project you need to tackle, or even just emailing the right people to se t up meeting times. You Should Enjoy it if You Powered Through an Incredible Amount of WorkEvery strong effort comes with a reward- thats something I shouldnt have to tell you. You worked hard, so you deserve to leave the office on time today or start your day on a more leisurely notenzeichen tomorrow.But Get Ahead if You Didnt Accomplish MuchYou completed everything thats due today, so yes, you technically have free time. But truth be told, you didnt work your brain too hard, and when you look at the completed assignments, youre not all that impressed with yourself. Maybe none of your upcoming assignments are urgent, but they may also still be important enough to start tackling now- and because they dont need to be finished immediately, you have the option to take your sweet time.You Should Enjoy it if Youre ExhaustedIts obvious that nothing gets done- or gets done well- when youre tired. So, when the opportunity to relax arises, its best to use it to recharge your battery. Go home , eat a lazy dinner in front of the TV (or a book), and treat yourself to an early bedtime. But Get Ahead if You Have a Lot of EnergyOn the other hand, if you find yourself still buzzing with energy even after everythings complete, you might as well take advantage of the rush and see if theres any upcoming assignments youre interested in working on- at least until you come down from the high.You Should Enjoy it if Youre in Good StandingIf youve accomplished everything that was asked of you (with grace and poise, of course), then sure, you deserve to spend your free time slacking off just a bit.But Get Ahead if You Want to Move UpHowever, this could also be a great opportunity to prove yourself if youre looking to move up. When you have the drive, consider using your free time to help out a fellow employee, or take on an assignment to relieve your boss of extra work, or turn in a project extra early. These little efforts could come in handy when you go to ask for a promotion or a rai se.You Should Enjoy it if You Have PlansFree time is a great thing if you have something youve been meaning to do, whether its go for a much-needed run, grab dinner with a friend you havent seen in a while, or go to the movies. But Get Ahead if Youre BoredThere will be times when you probably have the time to do something and nothing to do. For example, your free time might not coincide with other peoples, so even though youre down for a spontaneous drink, all your friends could be at work, leaving you to entertain yourself. In this case, it might be worth your while to keep yourself busy by getting some work done- even if its more mindless activities such as catching up on emails or setting your calendar for the week.At the end of the day, your free time is yours, meaning you get to make the final call as to whether or not you use it for work or pleasure. Keep in mind when it makes sense for you to get ahead, and when it makes sense to simply relax. No one wants you to become a wor kaholic, most of all your future self.