How to Get Through a Day of Work, Without Actually Working

You've been there, had one of those day's where you're just not feeling super productive and would rather just stay home in bed, but you find yourself clocked in at the office and you're at your desk, staring at the mountain of paperwork in front of you. You look up at the clock. Only 7 more hours till the end of your day and you can go home. Here's a guide on how to make the most of those 7 hours and get through the day without really doing anything. And the beauty of it is, you're still getting paid. Warning: don't do this every day. Just here and there as a "break" from the routine.

10) Always have your hands full when you walk around the office. I don't care if you're just going to the bathroom or to get another cup of coffee. Often when people get up and leave their desk, their boss sees them in the hall and hands them more work, to do "after they've gotten everything else done." You definitely don't want to build your existing mountain of work, so always carry some files under your arm, a notebook, and just look like you're buried in something really deep. Walk with an open folder and bury your face in it, avoiding eye contact with everyone. This is a guaranteed tactic to prevent your workload from increasing.

9) Make ALL calls appear to be business. So you're chatting with your best friend or your sister. Always have a notepad in front of you and scribble lines of nonsense, that appear to be "intense notes" that only you can read. That way when you're boss pops his head into your office, you nod your head while you're on the phone, and say things like "I think we can manage that" or "I'm in complete agreement with you." Then hang up, pump your fist in the air, and exclaim, "Deal sealed!"

8) Shift the paper around. Things will appear fishy if the same stack of paper that was on the left side of your desk is still there ar noon. However, if you take say, half of those papers and place them on the right hand side of your desk, it will appear as if you've gotten a substantial work load done. Bonus tip: spread the papers all over your desk, that way you'll appear to be fully immersed in your work and no one will dare interrupt you.

7) Appear to log in extra hours, and catch up on your snooze time. When your boss is getting ready to head out the door, tell him you'll need an extra thirty min to finish this last project because you "hate leaving a project unfinished." He'll really admire your dedication. Once the door closes, let your head hit the desk for some snooze. If possible, get into work thirty minutes before your boss does, and if possible, wear the same shirt and tie you wore the day before. Ruffle your hair and look as if you logged in a night of sleep at the office. Your boss will be stunned, but nonetheless, quoite impressed.

6) Say it's a coworker's birthday, and your boss needs someone to put up a few decorations or get a cake from the store. Volunteer your efforts. It's menial work and doesn't require much thought. Take an extra long time to hang up streamers or to light the candles on the cake. You'll look thoughtful because you're putting in all this extra effort, but in reality, you simply don't want to do any office work, and this was your easy way out. Cake, anyone?

5) Always appear to be really frustrated and intense. People will steer clear of you out of intimidation. And mutter things under your breath, emphasizing on words such as "corporate headquarters" and "personal administration." People won't know what you're talking about, but they'll assume you're in the middle of something big, and won't want to disturb you.

4) If possible, put the "do not disturb" sign up in your door. Also, call your house and put the call on hold. That way your phone line will always appear busy, and people will have to try you later if they have any sort of questions or requests.

3) Eat your lunch at your desk. Fiddle around on the internet, but appear to others as if you were in the middle of something so important that not even your lunch break could tear you away from it.

2) Aimlessly type on your keyboard at 100 words per minute. Then delete everything and do it again. Make sure to do this when the supervisor walks by your desk especially.

1) When you see your manager or boss in the halls and they ask you how it's going, simply smile and say "Productive!" That word is the key to an end of the year bonus.

There you have it-these tips should help get you through the day, and don't be surprised if you end up getting a bonus or promotion!