Here is my selection of tips, refined after decades in the computer industry, to make office life as bearable as possible.
- Lynx (text-based browser).
- Gnu screen (quickly switch screens within a terminal window). ctrl-a twice, lynx changes to a vi editor with the file you've been editing all morning.
- Always carry a notebook or printout when wandering the halls.
- Go to and from the printer if you feel like stretching your legs. Print things out because maybe you need to read hard-copy rather than staring at a screen, to lessen eye strain.
- Bring only a laptop to the office, No briefcase/backpack, etc. If the climate makes this impractical, see if you can stash your items (jacket, backpack, etc) in the locker room. This is to make an abrupt departure from the building more practical. In my experience, better to just go than ask the boss for permission to pick up your sick kid at school (or other reasons for leaving which I'll leave up to you).
- If you're in a multi-building environment, actively seek out opportunities for meetings in other buildings. How you get to and from the other buildings for meeting, I leave up to you.
- Strategic vacation planning. Never overlap your vacations with the boss's.