I recently talked to a friend who took a leave of absence
from her job. She has spent the last ten years forging her career in the
corporate world, climbing the ladder all the way from an entry-level accountant
to a senior manager. She is extremely good at her job. Last year, when she told
management that she was looking for another job, they gave her a large 5-figure
raise and begged her to stay. At that time, she decided to stay on and
continue; however, she also continued to think about why she was really unhappy
with her job that looked so good on paper and paid so well.
When she told me that she had finally had left her job, I
asked her how she feels just a few weeks into her newfound freedom. She said
that she feels much more energetic; more than ever before. She realized that
her job was bringing her down because it was so boring. A typical day consisted
of checking e-mails constantly, waiting by her phone for her boss to ask to
speak with her (which could be at any point from 7am to 8pm), filling out some
spreadsheets, and meeting with her team members virtually. She appreciated her
work relationships but the job was just so boring and so exhausting that it was
hard to enjoy her days. So boring and yet… she felt exhausted all the time.
It might sound like a contradiction at first — that a
boring job would make you exhausted — however, most people can relate.
I can relate. I have been there, too.
When I thought about this extremely common problem in terms
of energy, I realized a few pretty astonishing reasons for why a boring job
actually makes you more exhausted.
1. You’re not learning or using your brain to solve
interesting problems, so your energy becomes dull.
When you start a new job, there is so much to learn. Whether
you have new industry terminology to learn, new colleagues to network with, or
new processes to take ownership of, the newness stimulates your mind and keeps
you engaged. After a couple months at the same job, the excitement of the
newness wears off. Your mind naturally becomes dull because your brain isn’t
engaged and making new connections.
Especially when working virtually, it’s really tough to stay
engaged mentally. It’s tempting to do tedious tasks on autopilot or
procrastinate by checking social media. If leadership doesn’t make virtual or
in-office work exciting and fresh, it’s no wonder that checking fresh posts on
social media is more enticing than doing the same old boring work. Still, doing
this tedious work is exhausting. Also,
When a mind is at rest it tends to stay at rest — if your
work feels dull, your mind is probably going to feel dull and bored instead of
positively energized.
In you find yourself in this energy-draining situation, it
could be time to take matters into your own hands and enroll in a course or
start a side project. Your side project could be something professional (like
having a side job or side business) or it could be a hobby that provides a
healthy challenge.
You can also proactively ask your manager for a new
opportunity or more responsibility at work; however, I have found that taking
the reins of your own destiny always pays off and gives you the ability to
choose your own intellectual adventure. Reading books is also a great way to
learn and keep your mind engaged every day.
2. The schedule doesn’t allow you to optimize your use of
time or prioritize self-care.
The golden handcuffs of a corporate job means that you get
to wear the shiny golden handcuffs but you’re stuck. You’re stuck adhering to a
schedule mandated by your boss and peers who schedule meetings (often
unnecessary meetings, right?) that you are forced to attend. Remote work has
made it possible to live on your own terms in between calls and do work on your
own time. However, if your job has strict hours and many meetings, adhering to
the schedule can be exhausting even if your work is easy.
The other issue with having a busy, strict schedule is that
you don’t get to prioritize self-care. Without making (or having) time for
self-care, even a boring job will make you tired.
When working according to someone else’s metronome, it’s
tough to exercise, sleep, and eat when you really want to or need to. These
foundational self-care practices amplify our energy.
If you find yourself in this energy-draining situation, I
suggest setting boundaries in your work schedule to protect your energy. Block
off your calendar in the morning and the evening so that you have clearer
working hours. You could block off a reasonable hour during the work day for
lunch or for exercise. If you think this will piss people off, they’ll get used
to it and you’ll be happier once people respect your time and space.
Also, try putting down your phone and devices during your
non-working hours as much as possible! Technology can be very energy draining.
It’s energizing to simply go with the flow and prioritize presence during your
time off from work. Taking a long walk, making a meal from scratch, catching up
with a friend, or reading a book can be extremely energizing and freeing.
3. The people you work with are not liked-minded, and so
you feel dull and disconnected.
If your job is boring, colleagues can often make work more
exciting and engaging. Learning and socializing with the people you work is
essential for feeling connected to your work. However, if your colleagues are
complacent with their boring jobs, then they are probably boring, too. Boring
or complacent co-workers lower the standard for progress and bring down the
energy of the team.
It’s important to surround yourself with people who are
excited about progress and keep the energy of the team vibrant.
It’s not just stagnant co-workers that bring down the rest
of the team. Co-workers who are toxic and difficult are also exhausting to deal
with. If someone you work with constantly complains or is resistant to
feedback, it can be exhausting to go in circles with that person.
No matter how easy or routine you job is, challenging or
unethical co-workers can suck the energy from you and leave you feeling
exhausted.
If you find yourself in this energy draining situation, it
could be worth joining a professional networking group or professional
organization. Meeting people who are motivated to learn and dig deeper in your
area of professional interest will give you a more energetic community of
people to socialize and network with. It could even lead to a new, better job
with like-minded people.
4. You’re not connected to the mission and direction of
the team or company.
Finally, if you feel like your job is boring, it’s sometimes
not just because the tasks are tedious or the days are long. It’s worth asking
yourself, “Am I passionate about what this company is doing? Do I feel aligned
with the impact they’re having on their customers and the world?” If your
answer to these questions is not really or I’m not sure, it’s
worth thinking about a bit more.
Lack of connection to the purpose of your work is
exhausting. Work is not just about filling your wallet; if you do not feel like
your work fills you with self-worth and purpose, then you’re not working in
tune with your energy.
A job that does not speak to your passion is boring for you
at its core. A job that aligns with your interests and passions will fuel your
energy. You will feel motivated to show up and do the work, even if it’s
tedious. The energy will come from a feeling of purpose and self-worth. It’s a
spiritual connection, really, that amplifies your energy.
If you find yourself in this energy draining situation, it’s
best to shift to a job internally where you feel a sense of purpose, like your
skills are being used and you’re making a valuable impact. Otherwise, find a
new job that gives you a greater sense of purpose and impact. If you don’t know
where to start, I would begin by making a mind map or a list of your interests and
starting your search there.
I'm not saying that a boring job is always a bad thing, but it's worth trying to minimize the negative energetic impacts. I hope this helps you to beat the boredom and beat the exhaustion. Life is too short to be living in a dull world. Prioritize your energy and your potential.