Everyone is looking for a challenge, satisfaction and joy at work. When this is missing for too long, chronic boredom can be a problem. Here’s how you can avoid slipping into a bore-out (a tip of the veil: work on more self-confidence).
While perfectionists are more likely to fall prey to burnout because they take on too much, people who suffer from a boreout do exactly the opposite. Due to a lack of self-confidence, they are afraid to fail and do not dare to take action. Instead of taking the initiative themselves, they wait for instructions from the boss. And instead of saying that they don’t find their job challenging enough, they keep their mouths shut.
The first and most important step in combating the bore-out is therefore to build self-confidence. How? By taking small steps more and more into your own hands, in your work and in your life.
1. Dare to be realistic
Preventing a bore-out requires a certain amount of assertiveness. When you are used to showing passive behavior at work, it can be difficult to take action. After all, that requires that you have to face all your fears – rejection, failure, not being good enough. Realize that change does not happen by itself, you will really have to get to work. Ask yourself: what will my life be like in five years if I don’t change anything? If you don’t like this image, you really have to get to work.
2. Action in the workplace
Every job has nice and less nice sides. However, the ratio must be in balance. Are you only busy with tedious tasks? Then the fun is quickly over. Find out which aspects of your job you like least and see if you can change them. Can you transfer tasks?
Also dare to indicate to your boss that you get little satisfaction from your daily work. Check together whether your tasks can be adapted and show that you have already thought about this by coming up with ideas. Ultimately, it is better for him/her if you are happy at work.
3. Are you in your power?
Do you use all the talents you have in your current work or do you feel there is more to it? What dreams and ambitions did you have in the past, during your studies for example?
Are you fulfilling them? Or do you simply float with the flow of life without being at the helm yourself? The type of work you do may simply not suit your character or personality. So don’t force anything, but know that it’s never too late to become who you want to be.
4. Looking for inspiration
Happiness at work is strongly related to your environment. Think about your workplace. Are you inspired by this? Now think about the people around you. Do they know how to motivate you? If this is not the case, you will have to actively look for inspiration. Read books, attend lectures or seminars and find people who give you energy. Not sure where to start? Take a course in your field. Every time you learn something new, your confidence will get a boost.
5. Set goals
For people with a lack of self-confidence, setting goals is just about the hardest thing there is. Because what if it doesn’t work? And what if you’re just not good enough? Try to ignore that critical voice in your head for a moment and go crazy: write down exactly what you would like to achieve.
Whether it’s a big or small goal, put it on paper. Also put a time limit on it. So: ‘Within a month I made an appointment with a coach’ or ‘Within a week I told my boss that I want more challenging tasks’. That’s how you make it concrete.
6. Celebrate your successes
When you’ve reached a milestone, it’s important to celebrate . Many people hardly think about their successes, but immediately focus on the next after ticking off one task. Shame! Open that champagne, cut a cake or hang up the streamers.
It doesn’t matter how you do it, as long as you pause for a moment to reflect on what you’ve accomplished. Be proud of yourself. This will motivate you even more to take matters into your own hands and direct your career and life.