Does just the thought of having to return to work in the New Year cause heart palpitations, increase your blood pressure and put your mood into a gloomy downhill spiral because your job is so boring?

It shouldn’t be that way, and it doesn’t have to be.

Have you been suffering from boredom in your job?

Recognize any of this type of behaviour ? Can’t sleep, dread going to work, headaches, depression, stressed, not feeling ‘connected’ to the work, personality clashes with work colleagues?  Didn’t get that pay rise, find the job has become too routine, you’ve lost your ‘spark’ in the workplace.

Now could be a good time to stop, reassess, plan and implement a strategy to turn boredom into opportunity.

Often we spend more time ‘at work’ than we do with our family, or doing the things we really are passionate about. Life’s too short to be dragging yourself into the workplace, day in, day out, if you are not happy and fulfilled in your job.

Here are my 10 tips to help you take control and overcome boredom in the workplace.

1. Firstly, you need to take good care of yourself so that you are in the right frame of mind to work at your optimum. Ensure you are getting enough sleep, eat nutritious food to fuel your mind and body so you can be a top performer, and don’t forget to get regular exercise. (no more sitting at your desk during lunch breaks, wolfing down a fast food meal)
2. Your work surroundings – do they inspire, uplift and motivate you? If not, maybe make some changes to brighten up your office. Hang some favourite photos in your work area, buy an indoor plant or some fresh flowers for your desk and purchase stationery in your favourite colour. Try some colour therapy – if your office walls are all a plain, uninspiring colour, have a word to your supervisor / manager to see if a coloured feature wall can be added?
3. Not challenged in your job anymore – have an honest conversation with you manager / boss, or take time to look at your last performance reviews to get a better idea of where your career is heading within the organisation.
4. Is it time to put your hand up for a new project or a new role to stretch your capabilities and interest?
5. Can you learn a new skill, do a course, return to College / University to improve your career prospects?
6. Attitude – reframe the way you think. You are probably bored because you’ve mastered your role and it’s now become too routine. Acknowledge that you may have outgrown your role. Now write down what you want to do next and how you can achieve it – start mapping out a 3-5 year career plan and take control of your destiny. Putting plans in writing is powerful.
7. Use your written career plan to now seek out opportunities – do they exist within your current workplace? If so, what do you need to do, who do you need to speak to in order to make them happen?
8. If your current employer does not have the scope to facilitate your growth and development – you at least now have in writing a wish list for future career opportunities. Of course there are risks to leaving your current employer – take time to weigh them all up – know exactly what you are looking for, don’t necessarily accept the first role that may be offered to you.
9. If resigning and moving to a new employer is the best thing to do – once you have accepted an offer, put your resignation in writing and let your boss know as soon as possible. It’s important to part on good terms.
10. It’s critical to be happy at work. Try this affirmation “My work is enjoyable and fulfilling, and I am always appreciated” – you deserve it!

If you need help finding a new role within the Accounting industry that matches your career plan, contact Pinstripe Recruitment.

Tamara Blythman is a Recruitment Consultant and founder of Pinstripe Recruitment