Many of us think we are too busy even to make room for a 10-minute break during the day. But as Cyril Parkinson wrote:

“Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.”

So there is nothing stopping you from making a little room, just 10 minutes a day, to do some of the following things to help enhance your career:

1.   Meditate

Sitting silently and meditating for just 10 minutes a day will help you immensely. Meditation will:

  • Reduce anxiety and stress, allowing you to tackle difficult tasks at work.
  • Clear your mind, so that you can be more focused in your work.
  • Energise you, allowing you to feel more positive about your day.
  • Enhance your creativity, allowing you to think outside the box.
  • Allow you to gain perspective, thus helping you to stop obsessing over irritating little details and start focusing on the bigger picture.

Iconic entrepreneur and media mogul Russell Simmons says:

“I’ve been starting companies, rehabilitating brands and promoting artists for over 30 years now and I can promise you that no tool has made me a smarter, more focused and clearer thinking entrepreneur than meditation.”

2.   Make a list

Start each day by making a short list of tasks that need to be completed by the end of the day. Having a set number of things you need to get done will help increase your productivity, and also motivate you as you tick each item off once you complete it.

Increasing your productivity is a sure way to enhance your career prospects.

3.   Network on LinkedIn

Take the 10 minutes you would’ve spent on Facebook and rather go onto LinkedIn. LinkedIn is no longer just an ‘online CV’ storing space, but rather an active professional social network. Here you can network and interact with people in your industry, establish yourself as an authority in your field, and even find a better job.

Read ‘How to Use LinkedIn to Boost Your Career‘ to learn more.

4.   Take a walk

Take a short break and just get out of the office. Take a walk around the block or down the road and back during your lunch break. This will:

  • Energise you for that after-lunch slump.>
  • Allow you to take a refreshing break from your desk or workspace.
  • Help you relax.
  • Help your mind stay focused.

Did you know? Studies have shown that if you walk a moderate amount each day, it will help strengthen your mind and help improve your memory (Source).

Take a walk

5.   Ask for an evaluation

Ask you manager, supervisor, or boss for a quick 10-minute evaluation. It might be a bold move, but it will give you great insight into how you can improve your career.

It will also help you understand your superior’s point of view and give you a chance to find out how you can do your job according to their standards.

6. Reread your work

If you do a lot of writing in your job — even if it is only reports or e-mails — try taking some time during the day to reread and critique your own work.

It will not only help you pick up little mistakes you make, like typos, but it will also help you evaluate your own work and improve on it.

7. Read a blogpost

Read a blogpost each day that will help you improve your career. A blogpost like this one, for example!

It is also good to subscribe to a blog that covers your industry, so that you can keep up to date with new developments and advancements in your field of expertise.

8.   Chat to your co-workers

It is important to get along with your colleagues and to maintain a healthy work environment. If you don’t get along with your co-workers, your career will suffer — you won’t feel motivated, you won’t feel part of a team, and you won’t develop any teamwork, communication, or leadership skills.

What about suggesting a 10-minute session each day for your team to talk about new ideas and do a bit of creative brainstorming?

Chat to your co-workers

9.   Organise your workspace

It is important to take the time to clean up and order your workspace. As the saying goes: “A cluttered desk means a cluttered mind.” But you can also choose to re-organise your workspace every now and again. The fresh order will help you feel invigorated and ready to get down to work. Changes in work environment have been linked to increased memory and creativity in certain studies.

10. Learn something new

Learning something new each day will not only help stimulate your mind, but will also keep you interested in your work. Most employees stagnate in their jobs, don’t really push themselves to develop, and thus fail to advance in their careers. 

Taking just 10 minutes a day to learn something new will help you increase your expertise and help you become a better professional. Employers are also generally impressed with workers who learn new things and are able to contribute new and meaningful ideas to the company.

If you are looking for a great way to learn something new, why not take a distance learning short course? It’s a great way to develop new professional skills and knowledge and set yourself apart from other employees.

Browse Our Short Courses

What are you doing to enhance your career?

Let us know in the comments box below!