We’ve all been there: Thursday afternoon rolls around, our eyelids start to droop, and that Facebook logo on our Firefox toolbar looks a lot more appealing than the five-page Excel spreadsheet on the next tab. It’s a classic case of mid-day fatigue. With Friday just around the corner, the temptation of sneaking a catnap is hard to resist.

Don’t give in. As Sheryl Sandberg reminds us, we should always lean in to our work before we lean out. One extra ounce of effort can lead to a load of rewards. Instead of letting your eyes glaze, combine your relaxation time with easy to-do’s that still contribute to your career. We’re calling the initiative “Lean-in Thursdays.” Here are our suggestions for this week:

Groom your LinkedIn network:

Remember those business cards you stuffed into your purse after your college’s last alumni event? Time to get them out and look up the names on LinkedIn. It’s an easy action with a big pay-off. Devote fifteen minutes weekly to connecting with your acquaintances online, and you’ll be closer to forging long-term, career-boosting relationships.

Get App-Happy:

Dozens of smartphone applications aim to enhance your productivity, so get shopping! DocStoc Inc creates two of my favorite free apps: “Business Development Tips” and “How to Get the Job Interview” both provide clear advice for exceling in the workplace. CloudOn is another useful app that allows you to synchronize your Dropbox folders across devices for portable access. Finally, if you’re looking for new career opportunities, JobAware offers an extensive job board that lets you search positions from your iPhone.

Browse for events:

What better way to indulge your imagination than searching the Internet for local event listings? It’s not only fun to keep up with your city’s goings-on – it’s also professionally beneficial. Each happy hour, comedy show, and Groupon offering can turn into an opportunity for networking and bonding with your colleagues. Find out your co-workers’ interests and tailor your suggestions. Your colleague who majored in astronomy might love to join you for the Highline’s stargazing special on Tuesday, while that client who mentioned her painting hobby will be touched when you invite her to the new MoMA exhibit. Your office will start to see you as the friendliest face!

Amplify your social media activity:

Savvy Gen Y women know that Facebook and Twitter are invaluable professional resources. Spend time “liking” Facebook pages of strategic companies: business partners, dream employers, potential clients. Tweet at your favorites CEOs to show you’ve been following their company news. By showing your enthusiasm, you help your favorite companies garner more attention while strengthening your reputation as a company supporter and master of social media.

Watch Levo League Office Hours:

Conveniently, The Levo League hosts live interactive video chats, called Office Hours, on Thursday afternoons. Prominent businesspeople enter Levo’s live video chats to answer your burning career questions. When you tune in, you can interact with professionals like Deanna Brown, CEO of Federated Media; Kristin Lindsey, CEO of The Startup Fund for Children; Susan Lye, Chairman of Gilt Groupe; and Charlie Graham, CEO & Founder of Shop It To Me. Have a snack, sit back, and collect words of wisdom from our country’s most dynamic businesspeople.