Job Makeover? Maybe It’s Time for Yours

Q. This probably sounds trite, but I’m getting bored with my job more often. I normally just keep busy, but it seems like I’m on a treadmill—maybe because so much of what I do is repetitive. My co-workers have the same problems, and we just seem to spend a lot of time complaining about it. How do I get on another track? —Mike S.

A. For a starter, stay away from the complainers—they’ll drag you down even more.

Here’s a key idea I hope you’ll take as coaching, not criticism: you’re responsible for your own happiness and motivation, just as I am for mine. So we have to look for ways to stay upbeat on the job—as in life. The alternative is not staying upbeat, and I’m sure your common sense tells you this isn’t a healthy, productive, or career-building strategy.

And your concern isn’t trite at all. In fact, the consequences can be disastrous, according to a British expert on workplace issues. Martyn Dyer-Smith, a psychologist at Northumbria University, says people can become “literally bored to death,” since boredom has the same impact on the body as stress.

Highly skilled people may be especially vulnerable to boredom, once they have perfected their skills and can perform their jobs with little attention or effort, he says. “The carrot of a good salary makes someone persevere in a job, but if there is little intrinsic stimulation in the work itself, their health may suffer”

Writing in her ivillage.com article, “How to Say Motivated,” workplace specialist Diane Domeyer says that no matter what your job or where you work, at some point your motivation will flag. “This is especially true for today's administrative professionals, who may wear the hats of assistant, scheduler, project manager and office manager all at once, often with little recognition. Lack of motivation may be caused by anything from a slower-than-average work week to serious job burnout. The key is to get to the source of your feelings and take immediate steps to boost your motivation.” She suggests:

1. Expand your skill set.

With continued education and training, you’ll nurture your talents, stay intellectually challenged in your job and even improve your compensation in the long term. Many universities offer evening classes in subjects ranging from business administration to writing and communications. (Ask your boss about tuition reimbursement.) Today, you can’t acquire too many software skills. To get them, investigate online training. A growing number of companies offer 24-hour access to Internet-based courseware and tutorials. This is great, because you can learn new skills at your own pace. And because it’s job-related, you can work on the courses during regular work hours—a great way to fight boredom.

2. Look for new challenges.

Ask your boss if you can take on a demanding task at work, even it falls outside your job description. If you feel you’ve reached a plateau, consider pursuing a lateral job move or transferring to another department. Talk to your boss about this, too. He or she needs to know you’re bored—and could be a good resource to help you overcome it.

3. Take a break.

When was your last real vacation? Make sure to schedule time off to recharge after an especially intense period of peak activity. That includes unplanned days off, too. It’s unrealistic to think you can schedule time several months away to fight boredom. Sometimes it’s best to take vacation days when you need them—not just when they’re on the master schedule.

4. Make a subtle change.

If the job has become routine, look for ways to break up the monotony. For example, you might rearrange your workload so tasks you once handled in the morning are now completed in the afternoon. Overhaul your filing system, and try out new time-management software or look for more efficient ways to work.

5. Get moving!

Exercise delivers mental and emotional as well as physical benefits. A brisk daily walk during your lunch hour will boost your energy level and allow you to organize your thoughts more clearly. A change of scenery can work wonders in helping you to gain a fresh perspective on existing challenges.

6. Strive for your personal best.

Focus on excelling at whatever you're doing. Being confident in your abilities will increase your motivation as well as raise your employer's and coworkers' confidence in your abilities.

7. Ask for feedback.

Avoid being overly critical of your performance. If you've made your best effort, take pride in it. At the same time, if there are ways you feel you could improve, ask for constructive criticism from your bosses—and others in the company you can trust and respect. Then take steps to improve your performance.