Published on March 21. 2012
It is true – you can actually be bored to death in a monotonous job! According to a recent report, “Those who are very bored are two and a half times more likely to die of a heart problem than those who aren't…”
What's more, various surveys peg that only 15-20% of workers are truly satisfied with their jobs; the rest fluctuate from discontent to jaded to down-right frustrated!
Everyone wishes to have a challenging job where they can experiment and have fun every day.
Yet, many people end up doing the same boring tasks again and again. They feel trapped as the drudge work seems to drag on forever. The result is plummeting concentration, performance, commitment and morale.
Sometimes to the extent that people start dreading going to work and even end up in severe depression.
While no job can let you do new things every day or not get mundane at any point, you don't really have to resign yourself to unending boredom.
Looking for a new job to end the dreary tedium is not a solution either. ‘But there's nothing I can do about it', is the common refrain.
Instead of just cribbing about the boredom, analyse what the root problem really is. Is it that what used to be interesting work has lost its lustre or is the routine creating disinterest?
Or does the problem stem from lack of connection with supervisors, team members or co-workers? Change in your own priorities can also lead to job frustration.
Also consider if you are operating from unrealistic expectations.
And while you are at it, stop hanging around other bored colleagues who cannot stop ruminating over the negative aspects of their jobs.
Needlessly dwelling on the tedium will only compound your dissatisfaction and prolong your agony even further. The rising negativity can even rob you of energy and not let you think straight.
Instead, try to cultivate a positive attitude and start associating with more optimistic people.
Adding a touch of humour can also make things more lively right away. As it has been rightly said, “Sometimes only a change of viewpoint is needed to convert a tiresome duty into an interesting opportunity!” It is all what you make of it.
Now think of creative ways to deal with the ennui. Listening to music can lift your mood and make routine or repetitive tasks feel less mundane.
Taking a quick break now and then to stretch yourself, have a cup of coffee or stroll to the water cooler can clear your head and make work seem more bearable.
Dividing the work into sub-tasks and concentrating on one chunk at a time is another time-honoured technique.
Complete the less-appealing chores first before moving to the more interesting ones or try swapping tasks with a colleague if possible.
Setting targets like time-limits or doing things in a new way will add an element of challenge to the otherwise dull job.
Seek to understand how your job fits into the bigger picture of the organisation. Connecting your role to interesting goals can improve your perspective. Take matters in your own hands and seek newer opportunities.
Volunteer for additional tasks, request more responsibilities or start aiming for a promotion.
This will also help you gain recognition and approval. You can even seek a lateral transfer, job rotation or job redesign.
Bosses are known to accommodate reasonable requests in the interests of job enrichment.
Or, seek further training to improve your skills/learn new ones to not just enhance your job but also advance your career.
Sometimes, all you need is to take some time-off with a holiday or sabbatical as a much-needed respite from the monotony.
Relax your mind and body or have an adventure trip and you are sure to return refreshed.
Get a life! Things have a tendency to fall into a rut while we are not looking.
Pursuing creative activities, socialising with different people or even exercising in your off-time can reenergise your batteries and keep you raring to go at the same job.
If nothing seems to work and you have truly exhausted all options, the only solution is to look for another job.
Payal Chanania
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-opportunities/article3018521.ece
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