By Andrew Forrester
Boredom is natural, but it can often feel overbearing in the workplace. Here are some next steps to consider as you navigate work weariness.
“Boredom at work has a bad reputation, but it can be a useful emotion for guiding you in making life-altering changes.”
Sonia Valente, author and certified career transition coach
There are entire workplace comedies based around the concept of people being bored on the job. Among others, Office Space and The Office both owe a great debt to dull managers, tedious daily regimens and depressing office park vistas. These movies and shows are fun to watch because, for the most part, we get it: we all know what it’s like to twiddle your thumbs in your cubicle, to slip into a prolonged spell of on-the-clock online shopping, to wonder to yourself “Is this what the rest of my life is going to be like?” Workplace monotony is real, and while it might be the source of endless amusing hijinks when it’s on the screen, it’s less fun in daily life.
In some ways, boredom is just part of being an adult. One aspect of growing up is learning to approach the unengaging moments of our lives with more maturity and wisdom. And yet, when your job is the source of these dull moments, it can be difficult to see a way through it. Here are some questions to ask yourself, as well as next steps to consider, as you journey through the miry bog of world-weariness at work.
Cut Yourself Some Slack
First, remind yourself that everyone—truly, everyone—experiences boredom at work. Mark Zuckerberg? Yes. Mary Barra? Yes. Joe Biden? Yes. The better we are at something, the more likely we are to feel like it’s becoming old hat. In any job, the challenge of learning new things and the thrill of getting them right will eventually wear off, and it’s possible that your feelings of tedium are merely a symptom of your growth and expertise.
So take a breath. Nothing’s wrong with you. In fact, things might be really right with you. It’s just a matter of what you do next.
Ask Yourself: Am I to Blame?
This question is not meant to make you feel bad or offer a misplaced sense of responsibility, but rather to push you to consider what simple opportunities you may be overlooking. Something as easy as taking more breaks, going on short walks or catching up with work friends more frequently can break up your tasks and inject a little fun into the day-to-day grind.
Another thing to consider is the caliber of the work you’ve been producing. Is it possible that you’re not challenging yourself as much as you could be? Are you doing your best work, or are you just getting the work done? If you find yourself with lots of down time, perhaps you can consider it as an opportunity to up the ante a bit. How can you go above and beyond to demonstrate to your coworkers and superiors that you are, in fact, a star employee? Rather than leaning into the monotony of it all, set your own challenges. Compete with yourself to be the best you can be, or the most efficient, or the most detailed or precise. If your options are to laze your way through the day or make something impressive and compelling, choose the latter every time.
Ask Yourself: Am I Just Being Underutilized?
Maybe the issue is bigger than you. Perhaps you’ve worked your hardest to dazzle your colleagues, and still, you find yourself doing milquetoast tasks with little payoff. Now’s the time to be proactive. It’s time to start talking to your supervisors. Most people dread conversations with their managers about things like raises and promotions, but this is something different. This is you asking for more (or more complicated) work. This is you requesting to be more useful to your company. That’s like a kid asking their parent if it’s alright for them to make their bed and clean their room. Any answer but a resounding yes is counterintuitive.
So here’s your chance to demonstrate your commitment to your job and your desire to support your teammates. Tell your boss something along the lines of “I worry I’m being underutilized” or “I think I’m ready for more complex tasks.” “I’ve been thinking about some other ways I can contribute to our work here.” Be specific and ambitious. Explain why your existing skills are well-suited to new and more exciting responsibilities. And then go out there and prove it.
Ask Yourself: Is This Place Right for Me? Is This the Job for Me?
Of course, it’s possible that you’re just at the wrong kind of company. Take a step back and consider the source of your boredom. Is it that your daily duties are unstimulating? Is it that your workplace culture is oppressive or uninspiring? Maybe you just don’t like your building or your floorplan or maybe the perks simply aren’t worth the daily expectations placed on you. It might be time to look into other, similar companies that seem to be doing things differently. Have you heard about comparable organizations with stellar reviews and contented employees? Reach out! Start looking for openings! Don’t be satisfied with working someplace you’re comfortable with but no longer enjoy.
Alternatively, maybe this is no longer the line of work for you. It can be daunting to consider new careers and new industries, but remember: so much of our lives are spent at our jobs. We often see more of our coworkers than we do of our families, and when we look back on our time spent on earth, some of the largest impacts we’ll have made will most likely have to do with our careers. I don’t know about you, but I really don’t want to be a grandparent telling my grandkids about how I worked hard but spent most of my time doing unexciting tasks in work I found unfulfilling. Being brave now might make all the difference in the long term.
Consider What Boredom is Telling You
According to The Washington Post, boredom is “linked to a lot of what most of us want out of life, like living a rich, fulfilling, interesting, meaningful life.” Boredom can make our days slower and our attitudes grumpier. But it can also indicate something greater: a reminder of what we care about and whether or not we’re getting it. If nothing else, let your boredom be the cause of some soul searching. Spend some time considering what not being bored would actually look like. How would you be filling your days? What would be different at work? What values would you be pursuing, what ways would you be shaping the world around you?
These are big questions and many of them might be linked to big dreams. But understanding these things about yourself will make you a better employee while also helping you to prioritize your goals. So take a minute to figure out what you want. What comes next is entirely up to you.
Andrew Forrester is a writer whose work has appeared in Parents Magazine, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, and elsewhere. Andrew also teaches English and creative writing in Austin, Texas, and has a Ph.D. in English literature from Southern Methodist University.
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