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10 Simple Ways to Advance Your Career on Your Lunch Break

Updated 9/4/2024
10 Simple Ways to Advance Your Career on Your Lunch Break
Make your lunch hour work for you.

Last year, the folks at the staffing company OfficeTeam released a survey that revealed something provocative about the American lunch hour: It doesn’t exist. Forty-eight percent of respondents said they take 30 minutes or less to break for lunch. And 71% of survey-takers said that they either work or socialize during that time.

If you can’t resist the temptation to do more than just eat during your lunch break, why not use the time to get ahead in your career? We’ve rounded up some of our best tips grouped in ways to help you use your time wisely.


Pick Up Smart Tips

  • Learn the benefits of 10 minutes of meditation from this 10-minute video.
  • Polish your grammar with these 9 grammar resources (and yes, this’ll only take you 10 minutes, too).


Connect With Your Co-workers


Get Smarter and More Productive


Strengthen Your Skills and Your Network


De-Stress

  • Add these happiness tips into your work schedule (one per day!)
  • Quit stressing about saving from your paycheck and make a quick plan to make it easy.


Photo of Adrian J. Hopkins
Consider Adrian that friend who gives you advice on getting ahead at work. Having thrived in startup and Fortune 500 corporate environments, he knows what it takes to get the job done and be indispensable to your team. He currently manages mentorship programs at The New York Times and is an alum of Yale University and The New School. Say hi on LinkedIn or book a one-on-one coaching session on The Muse's Coach Connect.
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10 Simple Ways to Advance Your Career on Your Lunch Break | The Muse | The Muse