In 2011, the Gallup firm conducted a survey that showed 71% of North American workers were not engaged with their jobs. Highly educated and middle-aged employees are among the least likely to be engaged.
Other studies have also consistently shown that employee engagement is powerfully linked to a range of success factors such as:
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Employee performance and efficiency
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Productivity and safety
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Attendance and retention
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Customer service and satisfaction
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Customer loyalty and retention
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Profitability
If you’re regularly bored at work, you are disengaged. Period. That can lead to low performance and that’s not such a great thing for your career. Just like any good relationship, you have to look for ways to keep that “spark” alive. Don’t let it sneak up on you. You own your career. Be actively engaged so that you are in the driver’s seat.
Bear in mind that all jobs have the ability to become a bit musty after a while. There’s so much to do and to learn when you start a new job that the time just sails through right to the end of the day. But when you become comfortable in your everyday tasks, your brain is on rote mode.
When that happens, your first inclination may be to look for a new job but that may be jumping the gun.
10 tips to help you get your groove back
Critically assess your job. Are there better and more satisfying ways of working? This includes your work station or office. Can you spruce it up a bit? Can you add a bit of flair or color to make you want to be there? What about alternative work schedules? Look for any way to break the monotony.
Volunteer. What can you help your co-workers with that may make your job more interesting? This is a great way to learn new skills by cross-training.
Become a master networker. Networking is crucial. Networking with industry peers keeps you on top of trends and increases your visibility in your profession. You’ll more likely pick up some best practices that you can employ in your current role as well.
Seek new challenges. If you are not challenged, you will be bored. Find new projects.Set new goals. Create a new career path.
Improve your skills. If you are bored, you have probably mastered your job.Ongoing professional development is paramount to having a successful career.
Take some time off. You’ve earned that time off; don’t forget to take it. A vacation, even if a short one, does wonders to refresh your brain and your body. Learn to reconnect with yourself and those around you.
Start the day with something that gives you energy. Get your heart pumping first thing in the morning. Go for a run, a hearty walk, or hit the gym. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain and they trigger a positive feeling in the body. It gives you an energizing outlook.
Drink some water. Yes, water. Dehydration can make us tired and sluggish. Water can refresh you.
Keep a “lull-list”. There’s going to be downtime at one time or another. Keep a list of little tasks that are not urgent but need to be done. You know, like clearing out your email box.
Examine the cause. It has to be said. If you do all of the above and you are still bored, you have to examine the root cause. If you are continually bored and not engaged day after day, you’ll have to decide when it’s time to move on.
Research has indicated that boredom can lead to a form of burnout when you are more under-challenged than over-worked. Look for new ways to find purpose and meaning in your career.
Your career and your life will thank you.
