Why You Shouldn't Fight The Friday Afternoon Slump

The case for embracing your procrastination. 

Hannah-Rose Yee
WhimnApril 12, 20182:33pm

Don't worry. Eat the donut. Photo: iStockSource:Whimn

We've all been there.

3PM in the afternoon on a Friday and no more juice left in the tank. It's been a long week, full of long days, and you just have to eke out a few more hours before you can leave the office en route to your well-earned weekend.

In times like these the whimn.com.au office has been known to rely on legal addictive stimulants, heading out for another soy flat white or turning to the vending machine for a bar of chocolate that will get us through. It's a tried-and-tested coping mechanism that's faster and easier than a healthier stopgap, like going for a walk or getting out of the office and getting some vitamin D on our skins.


Quotes from successful business people.

But whimn.com.au career expert Sally-Anne Blanshard says that there's no shame on realising that you're running on empty on a Friday afternoon.

"I'm not sure I have any advice to help you," Blanshard laughs. "It comes back to think about why you're really knackered. If you're in a slump because you've had a really big few days, then that's your body telling you that you need to step away. That's one of the best things that you can do and will totally recharge you so that you can come back in on a Monday."

If you're in a position where you can call time on your week, then leave the office, Blanshard suggests. If not, she advises taking the time to engage in some low-intensity activity that doesn't require your brain to be firing on all cylinders.

Photo: iStock

Photo: iStockSource:Whimn

Answer those lingering emails, tidy up your desk, do the work admin you haven't gotten around to yet, read a stimulating article or listen to an inspirational podcast. "Maybe you need to have an engaging conversation with someone, to go and be motivated my them to create a bit more momentum to get you through," Blanshard muses.

Or, maybe you just need to call it. "Realising that you have nothing more to give is really important," Blanshard says. "If you're in the right culture and business, then you'll be able to step away. And that's going to be the best thing you can do."

So if you're in the middle of a slump right now... Don't worry too much about it. It's probably the sign of a really productive week. Be kind to yourself and prepare yourself for a successful next week, rather than squeezing out as much as you can today.

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