What to do when things are quiet at work

Back when I was a junior reporter on the Surrey Advertiser I learned the phrase ‘Silly Season’. It’s a term for this time of year, when things in the media/press get a bit… well, silly.

It’s hooked to parliament - they’re not sitting right now (many are, but on a sun lounger…) and so silly season was the time when there was less news because there was less politics going on.

So stories that might not have made the ‘cut’ suddenly did, because there was the space to run them.

It meant time for features, for more images sometimes, and to play around a bit with content and angles. As a wannabe features writer, this was a great time for me. I abandoned writing about council meetings and instead went to interview authors and even try scuba diving in a swimming pool.

Fast forward 30 years (!) and Silly Season still hits hard. August is quiet so far - how’s it been for you? I know for some it’s not quiet, but if it is for you, I’d like to share some ways to make the most of the quiet time. There’s plenty you can be doing while you wait for those emails to ping and the phone to ring again.

Make the most of the out of office reply info…

I love getting an out of office. Yep, it’s true.

I’ve had three in the past few working days, and even though my hear sinks to know a pitch has landed during someone’s holiday, an out of office can be gold dust.

Why? Because they’re full of new contacts!

So with each OOO I’ve gathered new contacts to reach out to. In one, there were THREE possible new people to pitch to!

I’ve been wondering for MONTHS if an email I have for an editor is correct - well, just got their out of office so now at least I know I’m not pitching into the void!

Get out to some networking events (or join an online one - or coworking!)

Sitting at your desk waiting for the Out of Office replies can be sooo draining. You can always check emails on your phone, so why not get out to a networking event? You never know who you might meet or what it might lead to. Ditto joining a co-working meet up.

Update your LinkedIn

Yep, I said it. You probably knew I would. I’m not saying post every day, but I am saying it’s time to update your pic, bio, banner and ‘about’. See if you can make some new connections. Comment on some posts. Remember: Lurk with purpose if you’re going on there. Ask for recommendations, too!

Work on your website SEO

Shout out to Suzy at Wish Freelance Writing who is my SEO guru and always encouraging people to blog and work on their website. If you’ve got some downtime this month, why not write a new blog, update your info, make sure that site is working hard enough to be found when everyone comes back from holidays.

Get involved with some social media

Always thinking ‘I should post more, share what I do?’. Why not plot some content this month while there’s more time.

Start that newsletter/podcast…

Got something you’re keen to launch but never have the time? Well, Silly Season is here for you! Take those plans and thoughts and take them to ‘get it done’ town this month. It might be the best thing you ever did to press ‘send’ on a new newsletter or Substack, or go live on a project you’ve been holding back on.

Do the boring admin stuff you’ve been putting off

You know the stuff. I’ll only say Tax Return once, but if you really have nothing else to do, filling out those spreadsheets will be the best decision you ever made come September.

And the practical stuff you always avoid (yep, time to shred those documents)

This one’s a bit of a note to self because I need to tidy my desk. It looks like Racooons came for work experience.

See if you can step up at work

Everyone else on hols? There are a few ways you can you use the quieter time to focus on personal development and building your in-house role. Can you join that senior meeting, go to an event, perhaps set up a meeting with someone in the company you want to get to know? It might be time to seek out that secondment…

Job hunting in the quiet Silly Season

Yep, I know the ‘crickets’ of job hunting are bad at the best of times, but that in a quieter month they can feel deafening. But there are a few things you can do to keep control of your job hunt. Yep, keeping LinkedIn updated is one. Reviewing your CV is another. Working on your draft cover letter. Don’t stop applying for jobs just because it’s quiet, keep on going but also….

Prioritise exercise and movement

I’m embracing this one. Quieter days can mean more sitting at a desk, frustrations growing. I am trying hard to carve out time to go to the gym and for longer walks while I have that time. Yes, for my body, but also for my mind. Because I know I can cope much more easily with all the work stress (when it does come) when I’ve been exercising.

Book a coaching Power Hour

Want to get something work based off your chest? Well, with Silly Season you have the time to do just that. Book a Power Hour with me in AUGUST 2026 and I’ll offer it at £99 (it’s usually £129). You need to book and take it in August 2026 though!