Bonus points if you manage to work on personal projects without leaving a trail IT can see on your work computer.
All these people saying “just find a job you like” sound very much like “just don’t be poor” takes. Sometimes you are where you are, and that’s what OP is asking about.
But if you are where you are, why not do a good job?
Because they’re not paying you enough to care; if you’re not worth a living wage to them, then there is no reason for you to do more than the bare minimum.
Just didn’t get caught not being the dutiful, terrified, cowed, pliable, wage slave that your local
gestapoclass traitorsmid-mgmt expects you to be…But if you are paid a living wage?
Ah wait, this is probably America we’re talking about. Never mind. 👍
Yeah, if you’re making a livong wage you’re already in a better position because you don’t live in the USA.
Why not be a good little worker, making barely enough to survive while the big wigs at your company are living the new Gilded Age? I think I’ll hold out for something better.
I guess y’all had an implied detail that the employer is not paying you a salary you can survive on. I didn’t realize that because I live in a developed country. My mistake. 🙋♂️
Haha, yeah. Rub it in! I lived in the developed world for a decade before moving back to the US. Worst mistake of my life.
Sh—, you’re welcome back to hang for another decade yo, come on over if you still can, lessgoo
I’m retired and trying to get everything straightened up. Not just finances, but family obligations. Hopefully I’ll be away early in '26. Thanks for the attitude though. Seriously.
Love ya. Good luck with everything!
I’ve downloaded books (novels) in pdf format, emailed them to myself or uploaded them in a public folder, and then printed them (double sided, two pages on one sheet, just like an actual book) in chunks of 20 pages (so 80 pages of the actual book). Stapled the whole thing in one corner, sat down at my desk, pen in hand, scribbling on the pages here and there.
Brilliant
I work in IT so I can always bludge while looking like I am working by reading documents
🤔
"Gator’s bitches better be using jimmies!” - slazer2au
I always look annoyed. Yeah, when you look annoyed all the time, people think that you’re busy.
-George Costanza
I’m in tech but not a dev, but i enjoy coding as a hobby. I code at work on my personal projects, it’s perfect :)
Oh also for a a couple years I had Civilization V on a separate PC. Great for looking busy and focused :) Ofc you need a desk in such a way that nobody can sneak from behind. I was managing managers at the time so that wasn’t a problem. “Ooh boss looks busy” - hell fucking yeah I’m about to pound Gandhi in Deity boss is busy godahmit
As a warning for people who live in countries that have poor worker rights:
Depending of your local laws, contract and field, personal projects done during work hours and/or on work hardware might be seen as companys property.
I agree this is poor worker rights, but isn’t most places like that?
Working on my personal projects in a terminal.
I listen to podcasts while working. Earbuds in under my earmuffs (I work in the cooler of a slaughterhouse). I still do all my normal work, but at least I’m not bored to tears and having my anxiety attack my brain whenever it feels like it.
I’m big on podcasts too, I’d be bored to absolute tears without them
Use the tools you were provided for the purposes you provide.
Excel: Make your own calculations. You know, stuff like how long would it take to walk from Shire to Mordor? How rainy was last year compared to the ones before? Learn VBA and get creative with the macros. Generate art with conditional formatting. Make a macro that actively interferes with everything you write and slowly drives you mad. Ask Matt Parker for ideas on what kinds of fun things you can do with spreadsheets.
Word: Write your own fan fiction. Alternatively, you can paste an entire ebook in word and start reading. Abuse the formatting tools to produce modern art.
Power point: Abuse transitions and animations. See if you can recreate old school flash animations.
PowerShell: The sky is the limit. Get a web browser that runs in the terminal, and chill out on Lemmy.
I cant because one can see right on my screens. So i am just on my phone and if they ever question it, i have some open pages ready
Work from home!
The best way is to find a job you actually enjoy doing, and also that pays you more the busier you are.
Not the answer OP expected but the correct one. Doing strictly nonwork things at work can get you noticed in a bad way. I’ve had good and bad IT jobs and it’s really amazing how a bad job can drive bad behaviors and a good job do the opposite.
I have a spreadsheet that I’ve set up to design dungeons and dragons maps.
Talk about full circle. 🤓🤌🏼
If your profession has a professional society or industry has a trade association, look into webinars, certification classes, or other events they might have to learn more about your field and build skills. They often have opportunities to get involved with the organization as well, which could look good on paper to management when promotion opportunities arise…or new job applications if there are no promotions
I just listen to podcasts and music, and daydream as I work. I can’t relax if I’m not working cos it’s not worth the hassle, but I don’t have to give the system my whole mind.
