Good news, procrastinating Sparkies! A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Melbourne found that adults who goofed around on the net during work hours were actually 9 percent more productive than those who stayed "on task." (An even stranger finding? Apparently, 3 out of every 10 people resist mind-wandering online. How is that possible?) The study's author explained that Workplace Internet Leisure Browsing--WILB for acronym fiends--helped employees focus because "people need to zone out for a bit to get back their concentration." We totally agree!
While you may not be trapped in a fluorescent-lighting, cubicle maze for 8 hours a day, this study offers you a great excuse for surfing during homework hours. And we here at SparkNotes would like to believe that non-digital procrastination also helps recharge the brain. To celebrate the findings, here are some of our favorite ways (online and off) to procrastinate...aside from reading SparkLife, of course:
1. Find some awesome music on YouTube and dance around your room. Here's a good one.
2. Pick at your fingernails.
3. Take every single "What ___ are you?" Facebook quiz. Who knew you were President Warren G. Harding? Or an Empire Penguin? Or RATT?
4. Take another Facebook quiz while picking at your fingernails.
5. Try to teach yourself the moonwalk. Instructional video available here.
6. Find out how pedestrian-friendly your home city is with Walk score.
7. Give yourself an ugly tattoo with a ballpoint pen.
8. Weave the fringe on your blankets or pillows into braids. Then undo 'em.
9. Play an online game. Bonus points if it's educational, or even pseudo-educational. Text Twist rocks.
10. Start a text message chain letter inviting others to join in your procrastination: "hey every1. pass this on to 10 friends who you think need a break from doing homework."
11. Explore the wonderful world of emoticons on your preferred IM network. Did you know that Skype has one of a bear that gives hugs?
12. Bake a cake...or at least go digging through the 'fridge for some food.
13. Re-organize your digital photos.
14. Give up organizing your digital pics and just comment on them: "Ohmygod, what was I thinking with those pink leggings?"
15. Take one last Facebook quiz. You know that you can get the "What Muppet are you?" quiz to make you Gonzo.
16. Pick at your fingernails. They've probably gotten dirty again in the last two minutes.
Alright, times up! Back to work...unless of course you've got a better way to procrastinate. Please, share with us!
Topics: Life
Tags: facebook, procrastination
Post a comment!