For people who use a computer at school or work every day or by the hour, this is a guide for you to appear more productive despite not actually doing anything.
Steps
Step 1. If you have an assignment scheduled, keep it on the taskbar and be prepared to quick-click it when someone alerts you
Step 2. Intersperse work with break times by working for a moment and then using instant messaging, Facebook, Google or whatever you feel like doing
This way you can relax and do your work at the same time.
Step 3. Write a Wikihow article about something you know
It looks like work and requires you to write a good deal. It's the perfect way to cover up.
Step 4. If you are at home with a laptop then try sitting with your back against a wall
This way no one can see what you are doing. Write a lot to appear productive.
Step 5. Make sure that even when you're not doing a lot of work, you have something that looks like it open, like an end-of-term PowerPoint assignment or something like that
Advice
- If you are at work, a library, or any other public place, it may be a good idea to strategically place open books, folders, or papers on and around your desk or table. Make sure to turn the pages every now and then or pretend to read them to increase credibility.
- When someone says something to you, don't immediately respond and say “Shhh, can't you see I'm busy? I can't pay attention to you and do what I'm doing!”.
- In Windows, pressing the "Windows" and "D" keys at the same time will take you to the "Desktop" immediately.
- If you get caught, have an excuse ready. Keep it real!
- If you're working online using a tabbed web browser, it's easy to do whatever you want on one tab while working on another. Or try installing remote access software like LogMeIn on your computer, which can be accessed through a browser, so you can access your home computer and do things from anywhere.
- It's easier to look busy if you're really busy! Play a game or go wikihow, it's more fun than just sitting there.
- Using a proxy can usually bypass filters or blocking software, but it can get you in trouble with the school's IT director, so try to avoid it if you can.
- Lower or turn off the volume on your computer, as the beeps and sounds of instant messaging programs will give you away.
- Practice using the Alt-Tab strategy. You can immediately switch to another open program without using the mouse.
- Don't spend all your time doing this. You need to do your work, this is just for the little breaks you might need.
- You can always keep a job file open. For example, if you are on Myspace or in your email when you should be writing a job, keep the job open but minimized.
- Always look serious. Try not to laugh!
Warnings
- Don't seem too interested, this is a sign that you are not working.
- You may get caught, stay alert at all times.
- Don't click out of something fast, this will get a teacher's attention. Just calmly click another page or always go to Yahoo.com or Google!
- Don't play Solitaire, Minesweeper, or any other silly game if you want to look busy. Getting caught doing something as trivial as that just shows how bored you really are.