Whether you’ve been in your job for six months or ten years, boredom is likely to creep in if your employer hasn’t managed to keep things interesting for you. Before you throw in the towel, try these suggestions to work out if there’s still life in your job or it’s time to move on.
Forget Guilt
The first thing to note here is that you should not feel guilty if you are not motivated at work all the time. This is normal. What’s more, if anyone is to blame for the fact that you’re not working as hard as you could be, it’s your employer. You obviously don’t have the right incentives to do the job to the best of your ability. If your employer wants you to work full-throttle, it’s up to them to provide a reward system and a legible progression ladder so you understand what’s in it for you. If they have not done that, this job might not be right for you.
At this point, the only good reason to work hard is for the sake of your own satisfaction and future job prospects. No matter how boring your role has become, you may be able to motivate yourself to spend a few months working really hard by telling yourself that you’re doing this to extract as much experience as possible from the role before you move on.
Take Extended Time Off
You know what’s better than spending your lunch break browsing your favorite 4wd accessories online store? Actually going on the off-roading adventure you’ve been fantasizing about for years. Sometimes a job that feels like a dead-end can be revitalized by a long break from the office. Speak to your manager about taking extended leave. Even if some of that time is unpaid, spending a little of your savings on the time you need to rest and get some perspective—not the mention regain your sanity—may turn out to be the best investment you could make in your career. When you get back to the office after a month or two, you might find that you’re ready and rearing to go again. You’ll be glad that you didn’t quit your job when all you needed was a rest.
Step Up
Boredom is another word for lack of stimulation. Again, it’s not your fault if your role no longer gets you fired up, but if you want to fix the problem, there’s nothing wrong with taking the initiative and asking for more autonomy. Speak to your manager about your situation. They will probably recognize that you’ve got your current role down to a fine art, which is why you are bored. Asking for new challenges or greater autonomy in your role is a good way to put your employer to the test: can they provide you with the challenges you need to be satisfied in your work, or should you start sending out your CV?
Let’s get real: even if you like your job, you don’t want to do it all day every day. From time to time, you’ll experience boredom or fatigue and you may have long periods of complacency. If your job isn’t doing it for you anymore but you’re not optimistic about your chances of surviving on your side-hustle, these tips will help you make the most of the daily grind.
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