What to do in the last 10 minutes of the workday?

Perhaps you spend the last 10 minutes of your workday staring at the clock, counting down the seconds until you're free.
Or maybe you bury yourself in your work until the very last minute — then you grab your stuff and run for the door without saying goodbye to your colleagues.
If either of the above scenarios sounds familiar, it may be time to reassess your end-of-day routine.
How you finish the workday is very important. It can set your mood for the rest of your day; it may impact your personal relationships, overall level of happiness, and how well you sleep that night; and it will set the stage for the next day.

1. TO-DO-LIST

Successful professionals always keep an eye on their ever changing to-do lists. The last 10 minutes is when you also check your final progress against that day's objectives. You shouldn’t abruptly leave and hoping will remember all the nuances of that day in the morning.

2. REVIEW WHAT YOU ACHIEVED

In addition to focusing on what you still need to do, it's important to look back on what you've done. Taking even one minute to review what you achieved can give you a sense of accomplishment, and on a particularly trying and busy day it can remind you that you got more done than you realized. Happiness research tells us that doing a simple routine like this, and taking the time to reflect on what you accomplished, is a key way to boost your overall level of happiness.

3. TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON THE DAY

Successful people not only think about the projects they've handled that day, but they try to analyze when and why things went right and wrong. Savvy professionals know that if they're not learning, they're not growing.

4. SAY THANK YOU TO SOMEONE

Great workplaces are built on a foundation of gratitude and recognition. Creating a habit around thanking someone at the end of your workday is an incredibly effective way to boost your own happiness level and allow yourself and others to leave on a high note.

5. DON'T LEAVE PEOPLE HANGING

How terrible would you feel if you found out a coworker waited around all night for you to send that file you promised, only to eventually realize that you've already left for the day and that file probably isn't coming?
Successful people don't always accomplish everything they planned to, or respond to every email they said they would — but they do at least let others know that they weren't able to get to the task, make the decision, or respond to their email today, and they usually provide a status update, as well.

6. ORGANIZE THEIR DESK AND DESKTOP

Your projects take much longer to complete when you're not organized. Having an orderly desktop and desk will help you think more clearly and prioritize more effectively. It'll also help you quickly find important documents when you need them.

7. LEAVE ON A POSITIVE NOTE

Before you head out, give yourself a psychological boost by smiling. It will prepare you to exude a more upbeat vibe as you check out with your coworkers. Successful leaders leave a good impression at the day's end, as that's the demeanor that sticks until the next morning.