Are you suffering from boreout? How to manage a boring job

Lack of motivation and anxiety: here’s what you can do if you are suffering from boreout

13 October 2018 | by Jobrapido

In 2016 Frenchman Frédéric Desnard made headlines around the world for suing his employer for mind-numbingly boring work that left him with “boreout” causing him “serious depression.” Boreout – burnout’s less stimulated cousin – is real and comes with real consequences. A study of 7,000 UK civil servants which found very bored workers were more likely to die during a 24-year research period than those who were not bored, mainly because bored people often seek stimulation from things like unhealthy food, alcohol, drugs and other risky behavior.

Signs you are suffering from boreout include lack of motivation, anxiety, and guilt over being bored and sadness.

Here’s what you can do if you are suffering from boreout:

Determine the cause. What exactly bores you about your role? Make a list of the things that are boring about your job and what you like about it. Once you understand the source of your boredom, you can decide what to do about it. It could be an easier fix than you think.

Get involved outside of your day-to-day job. Ask to lead a CSR project or volunteer to organize the monthly office happy hour. Don’t have an office happy hour or CSR project? Start it up yourself!

Networking hits the sweet spot between what is good for both you and your employer. Sign up for industry conferences where you can meet others in your field, and hopefully spend a day out of the office. Expanding your network can open doors to better job opportunities in the future.

Take advantage of any training your company offers. Not only will this add more meaningful activity to your calendar, but you may also even be able to use your training as leverage for taking on additional (less boring) tasks.

Get up from your desk. When you just can’t take another minute of whatever mind-numbing boring task you’ve been given, get up. Take a stroll around the block. Go grab a coffee. Have a snack – anything to break up the monotony. The change of scenery and activity will leave you feeling refreshed.