Most workers spend a minimum of 8 hours a day at work; considering the fact we spend another 8 hours asleep, that’s most of your day! It’s no wonder that many workers start feeling bored in their jobs. If you’re often bored at work, are you doomed to suffer forever? Well, spoiler alert – no, you’re not. There’s plenty you can do to mix things up!
Everyone is different, so levels of focus and attention spans vary. We’re all guilty of letting our minds wander when we should be concentrating on work. Be honest, how many times have your colleagues caught you scrolling through your Facebook or Instagram feed on company time?
Your engagement at work can also be affected by how long you’ve been there. When you first start your job, all ready and raring to go, everything is new. You’re learning the ropes, experiencing new things and meeting new people. Once you’re settled into a routine and know the job inside out, it’s not always easy to remain as enthusiastic as you were initially.
Sometimes, we can get a little complacent and even start wasting time at work. However, this actually gives you the opportunity to get bored. Before considering your options, it’s worth ascertaining whether the problem is the job itself or if it lies a little closer to home. Maybe you just need a motivation makeover; which is totally achievable. Or perhaps you’re in need of a dose of positivity.
If the problem is that the job is so mind-numbingly monotonous that you are becoming genuinely unhappy as a result, then it may be time to find a new challenge that will stimulate you. We spend too long at work to be miserable, the job hunt may be daunting, but the right job for you is out there waiting.
There are little adjustments you can make to your workday that can have a huge impact on your focus at work. Sometimes, all it takes is a little shakeup of your everyday schedule to combat boredom. So, instead of getting bored of thinking about how bored you are, you could try the following ideas to help you stay inspired.
OK, you’ll have to be more tactful than saying you’re so bored that you’ve reorganised your desk five times in the last week. However, having a constructive chat with your boss may help some creative ideas come to light. For instance, there may be a project you can get involved in or a new duty you can take on. Talk about your prospects and what you’re working towards – is there a promotion or pay rise on the horizon?
Make it clear that you’re open to different duties or that you’re willing to learn a new skill. Adding new strings to your bow, taking on more responsibility or a reminder of your incentives could be just what you need to feel happier and more stimulated in your job.
If you’ve tried every trick in the book and you still can’t bear it anymore, it’s more than likely time to move on. Getting back into the job hunt isn’t as scary as you may think! Just be sure to maintain your professionalism even though you’re looking for other opportunities and follow the resignation procedure once you’ve found a new job. You may be leaving, but you don’t want to burn any bridges.
We all feel bored at work every now and then – it’s only human. Don’t worry, even if you’re stuck in a rut, there’s always a solution.
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