Learn While You Work: What You Can Learn in the Quiet Hours
Got a quiet workday with few meetings? Use the time to learn something new—without pressure. From languages and career skills to general knowledge, here's how to turn downtime into low-stakes personal growth (without crossing the work/personal device line).
MENTAL HEALTH
6/27/20252 min read
Some workdays are packed with meetings, messages, and momentum. Others are oddly quiet. And while those meeting-free days can be great for deep focus, they also leave room for something else: learning.
Over time, I’ve come to really value these open stretches. When used mindfully, they’re the perfect opportunity to explore something new—without cramming, multitasking, or adding pressure. Just quiet, low-stakes learning that builds over time.
First, a Small but Important Note
As tempting as it is to use your work computer to watch a tutorial or check out a course, I always recommend keeping personal learning on a separate device—like a phone, tablet, or personal laptop.
It’s not just about avoiding policy issues (though that’s a real concern). It’s about creating a clean mental line between “work tasks” and “personal curiosity.” Unless your employer explicitly encourages personal development during work hours and provides access to platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or similar, stick with a personal device when exploring new topics.
So—What Can You Learn?
You don’t need a syllabus or a long-term goal. Just pick something that interests you and start small. Here are a few categories I’ve found both satisfying and surprisingly energizing.
A New Language
Language learning is perfect for downtime because it builds slowly. A few vocabulary words here, a little grammar there. It adds up.
I started practicing Spanish using Duolingo during afternoon breaks—usually one or two quick lessons between emails. The gamified format makes it feel like a puzzle, and over a few months, I found myself recognizing words in podcasts and news articles.
Other great options:
Career Development Topics
On slower days, I’ll sometimes open a mini-course on LinkedIn Learning and watch a short segment on something like emotional intelligence or giving feedback. It’s bite-sized but insightful.
No company access? Try:
Harvard Business Review articles and videos
Podcasts like Coaching for Leaders
Productivity Techniques
Learning how to improve how you work is a surprisingly motivating break. Time-blocking, habit design, and digital organization can all become bite-sized learning sessions.
Start with:
“Productivity” playlists on YouTube
Articles from Cal Newport’s blog
New Skills (for Future You)
If you’re eyeing a shift—whether full career change or a side project—this is where skill-based learning fits in.
Try starting with:
Codecademy for coding
Creative tutorials on YouTube, Skillshare, or Domestika
General Knowledge
You don’t always need a professional reason to learn. Sometimes the best breaks are the ones that teach you something new, just because.
Some favorites:
Crash Course on YouTube (history, science, literature)
BBC Ideas for short, thoughtful video essays
One poem a day from Poetry Foundation
Podcast deep-dives like Hardcore History
You Don’t Need a Plan—Just a Starting Point
If you’re in a stretch of your day where the energy dips or the tasks feel flat, learning something—anything—can wake your brain up. It doesn’t have to be aligned with work. It doesn’t have to lead to anything.
Start with a topic that sparks a little curiosity. Keep it light. Use your own device. And see where it goes.