We
all experience boredom with our jobs. Sometimes it is something that
only happens once in a while, sometimes it happens daily. Boredom arises
from within ourselves. If we are feeling bored, it is due to our own
perceptions. Boredom also happens when you have outgrown something or
a way of doing things. It's a sign to take our next step. Boredom is
also an indicator that you are not in the present moment, but are spaced
out in the past or in the future.
One of the easiest things to do when you're experiencing boredom at
work is to take a deep breath and put your attention on your body. Take
stock of where you actually are in the present moment. An easy way to
get back into the present moment is to say hello to your body. Your
body is always in the present while your mind is not so faithful to
staying in the present. Get up and walk around, take a break or do something
physical to break any non-productive mental patterns that were going
on. But most importantly breathe. Oxygen helps us reconnect with and
energize our bodies. Then pick an activity and do it. Maybe you're getting
bogged down in a lot of mental work and feel stuck. Take a break from
it and do something physical. Walk around the block or parking lot,
make copies that have been sitting on your desk, file papers away, get
up and walk to the desk of someone you needed to meet with. Break up
the non-productive or bored pattern by moving your body. Then you can
get back to what you were stuck on or resisting with a fresher outlook.
During those times when you just can't stand your job, when it is boring
you out of your mind, that is a great time to take an attitude break.
Check out the attitude with which you are performing your job. Are you
giving good service? Are you doing the best you can? Become conscious
of all the places where you get into a mental rut because you are cutting
corners just to get through the day because you are not enjoying what
you are doing. After you take that deep breath physically, take that
deep breath mentally and adjust your attitude. Do your job consciously
in the moment, performing it with pride and a good attitude. The easiest
way to get inspired is to work with others. Does anyone around you need
help? Is there a group project that needs to be started but got pushed
in the background? Initiate working on it and get others involved. Get
some group enthusiasm going which will help you get out of your own
little bored world and expand your horizons. When we are enthused about
what we are doing, then boredom isn't an issue.
What if you are finding it hard to become enthused about something at
work? Maybe the people are negative and there is no agreement to have
a positive experience. Maybe you are not supported by supervisors or
management and are out there on your own without help. Maybe you have
outgrown what you do or how you do it. This is where long-term planning
comes in. What can you get enthused about? Is it switching jobs, or
switching departments? In that case, identify goals that you have. See
if there is any training that you can take to get there. Are there people
who you can train with or online courses at your workplace that you
can do? Maybe there is a project you can start or volunteer to take
on that you would be interested in that would open doors for you. Talk
with your manager or HR person and see if they can arrange cross-training
or online training. But the key here is identifying and defining your
goal and how to reach it. Then start taking those daily steps to reach
it. Maybe do an online course at lunchtime or when it is slow. Maybe
your manager will let you crosstrain one afternoon a week. But having
a larger picture to work for will help keep you enthused and your energy
moving.
All of these solutions to overcoming boredom in the workplace involve
you taking seniority over negative patterns in thinking. This is a leadership
skill and creates flow in your own body and mind and also in the environment
around you. When you are flowing, good things and opportunities are
attracted to you. Have fun!
We
all experience boredom with our jobs. Sometimes it is something that
only happens once in a while, sometimes it happens daily. Boredom arises
from within ourselves. If we are feeling bored, it is due to our own
perceptions. Boredom also happens when you have outgrown something or
a way of doing things. It's a sign to take our next step. Boredom is
also an indicator that you are not in the present moment, but are spaced
out in the past or in the future.