Bored at work? Try this instead.

10.29.2019

Even if you love your job nine days out of ten, there can be times when you find yourself in a slump, and you’re bored. Just because you’re not feeling particularly challenged, or you’re in between high profile projects, don’t fall victim to your inclination to read into the situation or overanalyze it for more than it really is. Instead of giving into your boredom, try these four things instead. 

Go on vacation

No, really, go. Even though you have nothing on the books, and haven’t been researching your ideal location for weeks, go. Hop on to Google flights, find an amazing deal, or book that one place that you always mean to get to but just never find the time to visit. You are probably one of the Americans that according to cnn.com contributed to leaving 768 million vacation days unused in 2018. Instead of languishing at work, wishing for something interesting to do, go out and make your non-work life more interesting. Forbes.com says that not only is travel good for your mental health, it might just help you reinvent yourself. 

Get to “the list”

What list, you ask? The list, the things that live just outside of your peripheral vision, and the things that never quite make your actual “to do” list for the week. Instead of caving in to the idea that you’re just never going to get to them, take this time to get at least one of them handled. Now, in reality, these are things you likely absolutely hate doing, and would rather go to the DMV or clean your gutters than tackle. But you will feel a million times better if you can just power through one of them.

Learn a new skill

It doesn’t have to be a serious undertaking, but you should consider learning a new skill. Maybe it’s time to brush up on your Tableau skills, or finally understanding what all the rage is about when it comes to Snapchat. But there’s no better way to snap a streak of boredom than coming up with a new way to do an old task in a more interesting way. Besides, it might just help you get to the main point in our next topic.

Put yourself in line for a promotion

When you are so busy just getting your daily tasks done, your personal goal setting or professional goal setting can fall to the wayside. Take this down time to review where you’re at for the year. What did you want to accomplish that you’re on your way to finishing? Or where have you gotten bogged down and what can you do to get back on track? Is there something that you can be doing like learning a new skill that might set you up for the next step in your career? If you haven’t invested the time to ponder how to get that next promotion, you’re in good company. Most people believe that working hard is enough to get that next promotion. In fact, 24 percent of people surveyed by CNBC.com thought that hard work alone would take them to the next level. However, it’s usually a better bet if you have a mentor, actually ask for that next promotion, or engage your network to move your career forward.

 

Being bored at work doesn’t sound so boring anymore, does it? Instead of dreading this down time, use it to your advantage and explore the world, learn a new skill, get to your “never done” list, or figure out how to get to the next place in your career.