Bored of work - Change or better the devil you know?
Discussion
Hi
This is probably one for the salary folk out there, as i doubt this applied if you run your own business.
Firstly, I have a good job that I know that I am lucky to have. But I am quite bored and seriously under-motivated to do anything.
My current job is well paid. I get treated very well. It is a decent environment. The hours are not painful. Many would think it is probably a good position to be in.
The issue is that my work is dull. I moved role about 18 months ago to a new team working on a new area for me. The rest of the team are experts in this area. This required a lot of work and I've got to a decent level.
That initial challenge of not knowing what I was doing has worn off, and now i look at the work and I find it completely uninspiring. Once completed I don't feel like I've made a difference, or built anything. It's mainly just solving problems, and ultimately i could care less.
The company works on 3-4 year postings in a role.
If I stick in this company, i could do quite well in the long run. In another 18 months I could move role within the company and do something that I find interesting. Or, i could move and be stuck for 3 years in something i find dull...as is my current situation.
If i leave I could earn more money. I could have a more senior role with more responsibility. That will of course come with more hours, more work and a lot more stress. to be honest I could probably do with a bit more of all of that as it would motivate me. But, I wouldn't want it to be like that every day forever.
in my current role, some days I can pretty much coast along without much stress at all. The worry with that is that my current role might have made me lazy.
If i move role I really could be shooting myself in the foot.
Maybe the challenge is to find more work that I might enjoy in my current role?
Anyone been in a similar situation? What did you do?
This is probably one for the salary folk out there, as i doubt this applied if you run your own business.
Firstly, I have a good job that I know that I am lucky to have. But I am quite bored and seriously under-motivated to do anything.
My current job is well paid. I get treated very well. It is a decent environment. The hours are not painful. Many would think it is probably a good position to be in.
The issue is that my work is dull. I moved role about 18 months ago to a new team working on a new area for me. The rest of the team are experts in this area. This required a lot of work and I've got to a decent level.
That initial challenge of not knowing what I was doing has worn off, and now i look at the work and I find it completely uninspiring. Once completed I don't feel like I've made a difference, or built anything. It's mainly just solving problems, and ultimately i could care less.
The company works on 3-4 year postings in a role.
If I stick in this company, i could do quite well in the long run. In another 18 months I could move role within the company and do something that I find interesting. Or, i could move and be stuck for 3 years in something i find dull...as is my current situation.
If i leave I could earn more money. I could have a more senior role with more responsibility. That will of course come with more hours, more work and a lot more stress. to be honest I could probably do with a bit more of all of that as it would motivate me. But, I wouldn't want it to be like that every day forever.
in my current role, some days I can pretty much coast along without much stress at all. The worry with that is that my current role might have made me lazy.
If i move role I really could be shooting myself in the foot.
Maybe the challenge is to find more work that I might enjoy in my current role?
Anyone been in a similar situation? What did you do?
So many questions and points of view, firstly how old are you? What field do you work in? How do you cope under pressure? Do you feel undervalued?
There are so many ways this could go, is earning more important to you, if so is it more important than being happy? Earning more and having more responsibility comes with more pressure and more problems, if you're happy with this then pursue a job change or move within your existing company.
There are so many ways this could go, is earning more important to you, if so is it more important than being happy? Earning more and having more responsibility comes with more pressure and more problems, if you're happy with this then pursue a job change or move within your existing company.
I walked away from my career when my dad was dying of cancer. I was bored and just about hated going into work and having to be pleasant to the folk there - but I was assured a long and prosperous future. My dad had spent his whole life being sensible and working towards his retirement, he was then told he had about six weeks to live and would never collect his pension. Made me re-evaluate my priorities. I decided I'd sell up and go travelling but events dictated otherwise.
I got a couple of lodgers in to help pay the mortgage, then bought and sold a few cars to tide me through the summer. End of the summer I signed on to the agencies and turned down stuff I didn't fancy - as well as working in accounts, I did some van driving, removals, garage work, building site labourer, electricians mate...
Of course I'll never know how things would have worked out (e.g. my mate was made redundant by our old employer and walked away with a decent pay out a couple of years after I'd left), but I still reckon, along with passing my motorcycle test, that it was one of the best things I ever did. Never had a long term job since, and pretty much retired fifteen years ago at the age of forty.
Never had much money, but as long as you have enough... never worried about job security or having to say "the right thing" to the boss... not a decision for everyone tho'.
I got a couple of lodgers in to help pay the mortgage, then bought and sold a few cars to tide me through the summer. End of the summer I signed on to the agencies and turned down stuff I didn't fancy - as well as working in accounts, I did some van driving, removals, garage work, building site labourer, electricians mate...
Of course I'll never know how things would have worked out (e.g. my mate was made redundant by our old employer and walked away with a decent pay out a couple of years after I'd left), but I still reckon, along with passing my motorcycle test, that it was one of the best things I ever did. Never had a long term job since, and pretty much retired fifteen years ago at the age of forty.
Never had much money, but as long as you have enough... never worried about job security or having to say "the right thing" to the boss... not a decision for everyone tho'.
Bobberoo99 said:
So many questions and points of view, firstly how old are you? What field do you work in? How do you cope under pressure? Do you feel undervalued?
There are so many ways this could go, is earning more important to you, if so is it more important than being happy? Earning more and having more responsibility comes with more pressure and more problems, if you're happy with this then pursue a job change or move within your existing company.
Mid 30's, London based, legal field, yes I cope under pressure. Don't feel undervalued. I think iu am valued here. There are so many ways this could go, is earning more important to you, if so is it more important than being happy? Earning more and having more responsibility comes with more pressure and more problems, if you're happy with this then pursue a job change or move within your existing company.
Earning more is important, but i don't want that to come at the expense of my life. i could go and work for certain companies where my salary would be doubled, but i would be expected to answer my mobile phone 24/7 and cancel holidays at a moments notice. But, I don't want that.
I can sometimes feel like this in my job, so I am glad I'm not alone. I have these thoughts, as opposed to advice:
My job allows me to have a lifestyle I want - from a material perspective, I am not left wanting for too much.
I travel the world for free.
From a mental motivation perspective, it's not challenging me. I feel that I have moved away from my core passion for roles which promised originally to scratch my itch for maintaining my core competence, but the to day work is ultimately dull and as you say not really contributing anything to the big wide world.
Always get congratulated for my efforts, no negativities in reviews.
As you have also said, when your competency in the role aligns with that of your co-workers, I am left with a feeling of 'is that it?'.
When its quiet, I feel that I could be literally be sat by a pool having a cocktail and no-one would notice or care.
When its busy, the work doesn't feel like 'all hands to the pump' type teamwork - it's a bunch of 40 something corporate men acting like spoiled brats.
When it is quiet, I can do other tasks (I WFH), such as chores, get a haircut, do small daytime admin tasks that the general rat race cannot.
I could leave my job, attempt to find a new job that is more involving, change my career and take a paycut to do something i prefer, at the risk of not being able to afford a mortgage in a house I like in an area I wanted to be in. I am less fussed about driving the latest bit of white leased metal.
Like I say, thoughts on a similar vein, but perhaps no answers for you.
My job allows me to have a lifestyle I want - from a material perspective, I am not left wanting for too much.
I travel the world for free.
From a mental motivation perspective, it's not challenging me. I feel that I have moved away from my core passion for roles which promised originally to scratch my itch for maintaining my core competence, but the to day work is ultimately dull and as you say not really contributing anything to the big wide world.
Always get congratulated for my efforts, no negativities in reviews.
As you have also said, when your competency in the role aligns with that of your co-workers, I am left with a feeling of 'is that it?'.
When its quiet, I feel that I could be literally be sat by a pool having a cocktail and no-one would notice or care.
When its busy, the work doesn't feel like 'all hands to the pump' type teamwork - it's a bunch of 40 something corporate men acting like spoiled brats.
When it is quiet, I can do other tasks (I WFH), such as chores, get a haircut, do small daytime admin tasks that the general rat race cannot.
I could leave my job, attempt to find a new job that is more involving, change my career and take a paycut to do something i prefer, at the risk of not being able to afford a mortgage in a house I like in an area I wanted to be in. I am less fussed about driving the latest bit of white leased metal.
Like I say, thoughts on a similar vein, but perhaps no answers for you.
Move. Give yourself a kick up the arse and put your talent to use, you’ve got a long career ahead. If you’re not motivated at work you lose it elsewhere in life too and become boring quickly. I’m a lawyer so is my brother (although no longer active), we have both moved when in similar situations and life is working out pretty well...take some risks evaluate what’s important but it doesn’t sound like staying is a realistic long term option. I had a well paid job with great colleagues and a final salary pension, but I was bored so I left it behind for a new challenge, ended up as a GC and have never looked back. Coasting is not good, it will get you down.
I think there's some useful advice above and I agree with a lot that has been said already. Just in the interests of balancing the argument a bit I thought I'd say that there's many things worse than 'boring'. You could change job and absolutely despise your new boss, or the work you do or your working hours and lack of social life. If you want more money for a specific purpose then that's one way of looking at it, but if you currently earn 'enough' and have a good work/life balance perhaps you could try and take up a new hobby to fulfill yourself? That way it would be nice to have a more calm working environment. As an example I work in property and live in London, I'm not a big fan of cities so my wife and I plan on relocating permanently to the SW in the next 3-4 years. However, as we live in London we try and make use of the theatre, nice restaurants, sites etc. while we can so making the best of the situation while we can before we're able to go don our wetsuits and go surfing instead...
Good luck whatever you decide, and maybe it's an idea to go on a long holiday (2-3 weeks) somewhere pretty exotic and have time to yourself to really think about what you want. I did that a few years ago and decided I wanted to be a property investor, I came back from traveling and immediately set the ball rolling on how to start on that path.
Good luck whatever you decide, and maybe it's an idea to go on a long holiday (2-3 weeks) somewhere pretty exotic and have time to yourself to really think about what you want. I did that a few years ago and decided I wanted to be a property investor, I came back from traveling and immediately set the ball rolling on how to start on that path.
TCruise said:
Bobberoo99 said:
So many questions and points of view, firstly how old are you? What field do you work in? How do you cope under pressure? Do you feel undervalued?
There are so many ways this could go, is earning more important to you, if so is it more important than being happy? Earning more and having more responsibility comes with more pressure and more problems, if you're happy with this then pursue a job change or move within your existing company.
Mid 30's, London based, legal field, yes I cope under pressure. Don't feel undervalued. I think iu am valued here. There are so many ways this could go, is earning more important to you, if so is it more important than being happy? Earning more and having more responsibility comes with more pressure and more problems, if you're happy with this then pursue a job change or move within your existing company.
Earning more is important, but i don't want that to come at the expense of my life. i could go and work for certain companies where my salary would be doubled, but i would be expected to answer my mobile phone 24/7 and cancel holidays at a moments notice. But, I don't want that.
Now this works for me as I'm pressure adverse, just remember a couple of things, firstly, life is very short in reality, don't find yourself wondering "what if?" in ten years time, secondly, money isn't everything, happiness and health are, and lastly, a good pension these days really is something to be thought about, at your age the retirement age seems a long way off, right up until it isn't.
Well...I just took matters head on and spoke to my manager. In the most English and diplomatic way possible, I stated my concerns.
It was understood. Solution is that I will be found a new projects to work on, where, hopefully, there's actually something to show for it at the end. Not fixing someone else's F-up, which is frankly just dull. So a good chat was had.
The posts above did help me with just going and having that chat. So thanks for that.
Also - moving is a risk and a big one, given that I'm generally happy with how things are.
It was understood. Solution is that I will be found a new projects to work on, where, hopefully, there's actually something to show for it at the end. Not fixing someone else's F-up, which is frankly just dull. So a good chat was had.
The posts above did help me with just going and having that chat. So thanks for that.
Also - moving is a risk and a big one, given that I'm generally happy with how things are.
Reading your situation, i could have written it myself...I'm in the exact same position where i have a decent job, in a good company. I work good hours, with lots of flexibility, i get paid reasonably well for what i do and the work isnt taxing at all....some days i can spend hours doing not a lot, knowing that the last few hours of the day i can easily knock out my workload or the day.
I went to my boss last year and asked for more responsibility and was given it, driving a new side of the business and its been going well. But i;m still not challenged at all.
I decided to apply for another similar job, but with a bigger and more exciting company, where i think i'll be more motivated and be able to put my skills to better use.
I got offered the job, much better pay, better hours, 2 mins from my doorstep and great bonus incentive. Its an exciting, but scary time as i've been in my current job for 8 years and its very secure. But i think it's made me lazy having no pressure...
This new job has a 6 month probationary period, which i know i will smash if i work to my potential, and i will.
Getting offered the job has given me a real lift and i'm actually working harder now in my notice period than i have for months!
It;s just the kick up the backside i needed and i'm really excited about the new challenges ahead!
I didnt get much praise in my current role, but got lots when i handed my notice in and told of my bosses disappointment as they had big plans for me here. All good telling me after i'd got a new job, but i'd already made up my mind.
I say go for it, take the risk...it's given me a lot of drive and motivation to do well and i havent even started yet. Cant wait to see what the future holds now!
I went to my boss last year and asked for more responsibility and was given it, driving a new side of the business and its been going well. But i;m still not challenged at all.
I decided to apply for another similar job, but with a bigger and more exciting company, where i think i'll be more motivated and be able to put my skills to better use.
I got offered the job, much better pay, better hours, 2 mins from my doorstep and great bonus incentive. Its an exciting, but scary time as i've been in my current job for 8 years and its very secure. But i think it's made me lazy having no pressure...
This new job has a 6 month probationary period, which i know i will smash if i work to my potential, and i will.
Getting offered the job has given me a real lift and i'm actually working harder now in my notice period than i have for months!
It;s just the kick up the backside i needed and i'm really excited about the new challenges ahead!
I didnt get much praise in my current role, but got lots when i handed my notice in and told of my bosses disappointment as they had big plans for me here. All good telling me after i'd got a new job, but i'd already made up my mind.
I say go for it, take the risk...it's given me a lot of drive and motivation to do well and i havent even started yet. Cant wait to see what the future holds now!
TCruise said:
Well...I just took matters head on and spoke to my manager. In the most English and diplomatic way possible, I stated my concerns.
It was understood. Solution is that I will be found a new projects to work on, where, hopefully, there's actually something to show for it at the end. Not fixing someone else's F-up, which is frankly just dull. So a good chat was had.
The posts above did help me with just going and having that chat. So thanks for that.
Also - moving is a risk and a big one, given that I'm generally happy with how things are.
I hope it all works out for you. The being happy part is important. I quit my job the other week. I was getting too frustrated with my boss and getting too tired of being away from home (currently on a plane heading home from Norway - I only landed 18 hours ago).It was understood. Solution is that I will be found a new projects to work on, where, hopefully, there's actually something to show for it at the end. Not fixing someone else's F-up, which is frankly just dull. So a good chat was had.
The posts above did help me with just going and having that chat. So thanks for that.
Also - moving is a risk and a big one, given that I'm generally happy with how things are.
For me it got to the point that I'm not happy and complaining about my job, with little scope for it to improve. I didn't want to wake up and suddenly be 54, still complaining about the same things in the same place having done nothing to improve my situation over the last 20 years.
crofty1984 said:
I hope it all works out for you. The being happy part is important. I quit my job the other week. I was getting too frustrated with my boss and getting too tired of being away from home (currently on a plane heading home from Norway - I only landed 18 hours ago).
For me it got to the point that I'm not happy and complaining about my job, with little scope for it to improve. I didn't want to wake up and suddenly be 54, still complaining about the same things in the same place having done nothing to improve my situation over the last 20 years.
What do you do and what do you plan to do now ?For me it got to the point that I'm not happy and complaining about my job, with little scope for it to improve. I didn't want to wake up and suddenly be 54, still complaining about the same things in the same place having done nothing to improve my situation over the last 20 years.
I'd gone from working for an amazing US global professional services business to working as a response Police Officer getting to run into dark buildings, chase people and kick doors in on a fraction of the pay.
I love it. I didn't feel pushed, motivated, challenged or developed anymore.
Now I can do as much as I want
OP my point? I could have easily sat in my job and worried 'yeah but what if it doesn't work out'? It still might not however I won't be lying on my deathbed thinking 'what if'?
I love it. I didn't feel pushed, motivated, challenged or developed anymore.
Now I can do as much as I want
OP my point? I could have easily sat in my job and worried 'yeah but what if it doesn't work out'? It still might not however I won't be lying on my deathbed thinking 'what if'?
I can relate.
I used to be in a position where I would feel boredom from work not being challenging enough.
And this brought complacency.
It's difficult to recover from complacency, trust me.
Try to challenge yourself as much as possible, since you're still in your 30's.
The older you'll get the less willing to take on challenges you will be.
PS this post was formatted in line with current web trends - it appeals to millennials with extremely short attention spans and it appeals to those on mobile devices (so I'm told)
I used to be in a position where I would feel boredom from work not being challenging enough.
And this brought complacency.
It's difficult to recover from complacency, trust me.
Try to challenge yourself as much as possible, since you're still in your 30's.
The older you'll get the less willing to take on challenges you will be.
PS this post was formatted in line with current web trends - it appeals to millennials with extremely short attention spans and it appeals to those on mobile devices (so I'm told)
It's sometimes okay to coast, hide and get away with things. I'd say the majority of the population coast. You need to figure out what you want to get out of life, and then decide your "work life" to support your personal values and beliefs.
If you'd have a new baby in the family, then you'd probably want to coast for the next 1-2 years because all your energy goes there. If you have other important initiatives outside of work, say you've just kicked off a new local charity group, then yes you'd probably coast at work. You're content with what you have and your limited capacity means energy is spent elsewhere. I find career aspirations eb and flow depending on what is going on in your personal and professional life; it's like ying and yang.
On the other hand, if you are simply institutionalised and ruled by fear and can't make that change because you're scared despite having genuine career aspirations that aren't being met, then you have more serious issues that may be detrimental to your long term well being. Your actions aren't matching up to your personal values and aspirations.
The idea of staying with one company for more than a few years is increasingly becoming an old one. Nobod gained anything from playing it safe. Growth takes 90% effort and the rest is risk and putting yourself out there.
If you'd have a new baby in the family, then you'd probably want to coast for the next 1-2 years because all your energy goes there. If you have other important initiatives outside of work, say you've just kicked off a new local charity group, then yes you'd probably coast at work. You're content with what you have and your limited capacity means energy is spent elsewhere. I find career aspirations eb and flow depending on what is going on in your personal and professional life; it's like ying and yang.
On the other hand, if you are simply institutionalised and ruled by fear and can't make that change because you're scared despite having genuine career aspirations that aren't being met, then you have more serious issues that may be detrimental to your long term well being. Your actions aren't matching up to your personal values and aspirations.
The idea of staying with one company for more than a few years is increasingly becoming an old one. Nobod gained anything from playing it safe. Growth takes 90% effort and the rest is risk and putting yourself out there.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff