By Keeva Stratton
To beat the trappings of workplace boredom and monotony, Rescu. has plenty of tips and tricks to put some spice back into your work life.
1. Involve Yourself
Many workplaces offer extracurricular activities; perhaps it’s time to get involved? From assisting with planning the Christmas party, volunteering for committees or joining an office sports team, just by having something other than your direct role to engage with, you might find that other possibilities arise and a deeper sense of belonging will ensue.
2. Study and Upskill
Sometimes we feel as though we’re not progressing fast enough in our careers, and waiting for new opportunities can be draining, so why not take the initiative to learn something new. Whether it is role related or generally good for your CV, adding a few certificates or even some postgraduate studies to your skills will reinvigorate your intellect and show your boss that you mean business. Universities and TAFEs host many courses designed for working folk. Just make sure you mention it to your boss so they become aware of the new skills you’re acquiring – and who knows, they may want to use them.
3. Think Laterally
Have you hit a wall? Can you do your job with your eyes closed? Do you envy the tasks of others? Perhaps it is time to ask for new challenges, or even a change in role. When you are familiar with a company or a product, your knowledge and training is a commodity. If you’re cruising through your workload with time to spare, why not pitch yourself for another task or team – even if you do it as a volunteer at first, once you prove yourself, your initiative could seriously pay off.
4. Network
Career building isn’t just about completing your daily tasks with aplomb. If you avoid office functions and stay clear of the weekly drinks, you may just find your vanishing act is, well, working. If you want your responsibilities refreshed, network. Not only will you be on the pulse for when new opportunities arise, but when others get to know you better, they may have ideas in store for how they can better utilise your skills. But, a word of warning, if you want to advance as a professional, always keep it professional – being a talented pole dancer may not be the kind of skill you should be sharing with your colleagues.
5. Work smarter
Ok, this may sound obvious, but if you are a procrastinator by nature, your boredom may be self-inflicted. Develop your self-discipline and stay focused. Just by getting through your jobs, you may find that the sense of satisfaction upon completion will be in itself inspiring.
Also, don’t wait for a performance review, review yourself. By setting new performance goals and staying focused on the big picture, the microcosm of monotony you exist in may dissolve into a sea of new opportunities.
More Rescu. career articles:
1. Speaking your way up the corporate ladder
2. Sisters doing it for themselves: a new era of business ownership
3. Simple steps to a new more motivated you