12 Things to Do When You're Bored that Can Help Your Business and/or Personal Finances

Let's face it: business isn't always filled with exciting moments that have you engaged in hard work or business strategizing. In fact, especially if you're a small business owner, freelancer, or contractor, there may be many times when you're bored, but still sitting at your computer or desk out of a perceived obligation that in order to be effective and profitable, you need to work during conventional business hours.

It's okay - even normal - to have periods of slowness in which you might lose some motivation to work or look for things to do when you're bored with a particular routine. Here are 12 things to do when you're bored that may motivate you, inspire you, and help your business and/or personal financial situation:

Organize your bookmarked websites

You know you have them-those website bookmarks that you've earmarked especially for those times when you're looking for things to do when you're bored. Now it's time to look through your collection of loosely assorted bookmarks and start categorizing them. Chances are good you'll...

Visit your bookmarked websites

Whether you've previously bookmarked websites that give you inspiration, strategies, or special online sales, when you're bored, there's no better time than to take a look through those websites you thought would be interesting at some point.

Catalog business receipts

Many small business owners save their receipts for accounting purposes. When you're looking for things to do when you're bored, start cataloging those receipts into your appropriate business categories. You'll thank yourself when tax time comes around and you have one less accounting task to take care of.

Read a few pages of your favorite business book

Chances are good you've been meaning to read through one business book or another. When you're looking for things to do when you're bored that will help your business, thumb through the first few pages of that book to see if it's worth a deeper read.

Make a business to-do list

You know you have a list of things you've been meaning to do for your business for awhile, like create a blog, write a blog, call a former client, or simply create a to-do list. If you're bored, now's the time to do it. You'll thank yourself-and your to-do list-when business gets hopping and you rely on your organizational skills again.

Do one thing to help your business marketing

Even if your business is hopping, take this time when you're looking for things to do to do one thing that helps your marketing. Maybe it's emailing an old client, sending a note to a prospective client, calling an associate for coffee, or writing a blog, but that one thing can not only inspire you, but it will help to move your business forward effectively.

Research stocks

Many small business owners are investors who have a real appreciation for the successes and failures of other businesses. Whether you invest or not, researching stocks can provide valuable insights into the qualities and decisions that make businesses grow or shrink. And, if you are an investor, there's no better time to look for new stocks for potential investment opportunities than when you're looking for things to do when you're bored at work.

Organize your workspace

Don't just clean it; organize it. Make sure that every place has a purpose and that its purpose makes sense. For example, does it really make sense to have a box of staples sitting on top of your desk? Probably not. By organizing and storing your business supplies effectively, you can be more efficient, relaxed, and focused when it comes time to work.

Analyze your workday

If you're looking for things to do when you're bored at work, it might be time to think about how productive you actually are at work. Small business owners especially need to be sure that they are engaging in activities that don't just help their businesses function, but that also generate revenue for their businesses.

When you're bored at work, make a list of all of the activities you've done during the day. Put an R next to the activities that generate revenue, such as "made a sales call" and put a F next to those activities that make your business function, such as "updated business blog." Next to your Rs and Fs, record about how many minutes you spent performing those activities. Be sure that the majority of your time is spent doing revenue-generating activities.

Revisit business and financial goals

There are few better motivators than money. Therefore, if you're in need of things to do at work when you're bored, it's time to find some motivation. Revisiting your business and financial goals can help - especially if you compare those goals to your current progress.

Ask some goal and financial-oriented questions

When you revisit your goals, be sure to determine if the goals are still the most appropriate for your current condition by asking yourself some important questions: Are you on the right path? If not, what adjustments can you make to get on a better path? Are your goals really realistic? Do you still want the same goals?

Research your options

When you're bored at work, it might be because you're not in the right financial position or job for you. If so, then it's time to research other options. If you're struggling to stay motivated with your job, then look for other opportunities in a related industry-or in an entirely different field. If you're concerned about your finances, look for areas where you can make changes, such as a change in insurance companies, utility providers, service providers, or other expenses. Chances are good that a little extra money saved will make you feel motivated to get back to work again!

Good luck finding things to do when you're bored at work-and remember: if all else fails, take the day off and get engaged in an activity that inspires and refreshes you!