How to deal with job boredom?

**A Better Tomorrow** · 02-25-2011 06:30 PM

Ok, so like many of you, I get bored very easily and up until about five months ago I just worked part-time jobs and summer jobs until I graduated college..they were fine because I knew they were ending soon. I started my first "real" job five months ago and I am already deathly bored, I literally almost cry from the boredom. This job is has no creativity whatsoever, tons of paperwork, and I really am not into it anymore. This job does allow me to dress however I want, I am out on the road for about half of the day visiting people, my coworkers are amazing (only 4 of them), and I have a lot of downtime. Even with this, I can't handle it. I am way too creative to be doing this, but can't support myself with my music just yet. How do you guys deal with boredom and not being into it at all anymore? If I can't stay at a job like this with that gives me free reign to pretty much dress how I want and literally no supervisor, what the hell am I going to do? I honestly can't comprehend how some of you and most people stay at a job for longer than six months. I want to leave, but feel bad since it's only been five months and I like my boss a lot.

Oh yea...this job does fall under the umbrella of infp careers as well...

**PivotalSyntax** · 02-25-2011 06:44 PM

Perhaps it is the free reign of the job that is causing your restlessness and anxiety. I think that the only way to get around this is either to find a way to fill the large chunks of downtime, or to move to a busier, more structured job. If you move to a busy job that keeps you busy, it should occupy you mind for longer periods and the time shall move quicker. At the same time, I think you'd be sacrificing a good opportunity to make use of your free time while working if you moved to a new job. I don't imagine you can really practice your music on the road, but maybe you can compose, arrange, or work on theory? Or you could even listen to music in the downtime and expand some of your listening. Take a new album everyday. And if not that, perhaps you have another creative outlet you could pursue on the job, such as writing? My best suggestion is to just make the best use of the time as you can. I don't know how much freedom you have to do what you want during your downtime, but if you have even a little bit, there is a lot you could do with it.

I know what the journey into trying to support yourself with music is like. I'll probably be following in your footsteps very shortly. I'm just so happy for you that you aren't giving up on your music. Keep working and the best will come out of it if you have the passion and determination. I wish you all the best on the amazing journey that is music. :)

**Electric Feel** · 02-25-2011 07:14 PM

i deal with boredom on the job by thinking/dreaming. my supervisors caught on after awhile, i'd get bitched at for not paying attention than i'd think/dream some more.

**Listener** · 02-25-2011 07:50 PM

I don't know. I've hated all my jobs due to both stress and boredom.

Only solution I see is to destroy the monetary system.

**gravitycantforget** · 02-26-2011 01:56 AM

to the op.

its a cliche but make a full list of the pros and cons of the job to you. You've done that a lot in the post. Try to pinpoint what you do NOT like. If its one or two things you may be able to introduce elements of creativity. If its the downtime maybe there is a way to use that time creatively. explore ways of adding spice to the job.

You say the people you work with are good...speak to them, ask for more creative work.Other people may be unaware of your boredom.

I think an aspect you need to look at is the "permanency" of the job. You said you were ok with other jobs because you knew they were ending soon. Look at your contract - you will probably see that it is no more permanent or secure than any temporary position. This may give you a "temp" mindset which could help.

Also i think you need to have a look at you feel about work in general. There are no rules as such. So what if you're only in a job 5 months...who cares...its whats important to you

good luck in sorting it out

**infpblog** · 02-26-2011 03:22 PM

Boy to goes to his mom and says, "I'm bored." Mom replies, "then stop being boring."

Jobs aren't exciting because it's a frickin' job. That's why I don't want to work and plan to stop working as soon as feasible. All jobs get boring given enough time and repetition.

It's the person that makes the job interesting.

**gravitycantforget** · 02-27-2011 12:57 AM

Originally Posted by infpblog

Boy to goes to his mom and says, "I'm bored." Mom replies, "then stop being boring."

Jobs aren't exciting because it's a frickin' job. That's why I don't want to work and plan to stop working as soon as feasible. All jobs get boring given enough time and repetition.

It's the person that makes the job interesting.

On the first point - no job is really good or bad (I do think SOME jobs should not exist though!) - a job is either suitable or unsuitable for you. Your task/mission as a worker is to find SUITABLE work. If you are working and its not suitable, move on as that job will be suitable for someone else and you are effectively depriving another person of happiness.

I partially agree on the last point...however having worked in environments where a girl got an unofficial warning because she had personalised her Windows desktop and stuff I feel some companies are NOT interested in their employees overall happiness. We all know that stupid petty work rules and asshole colleagues can make a good job unbearable...

**Sedna90377** · 02-27-2011 05:01 AM

This topic is going to make the rest of my life... interesting. I know it.

The only advice I've come up with for myself so far is...

1. Find jobs that I'd like to do, not those I'm expected to do.
2. Find a job where you develop a skill that requires learning from experience, not preparation. Trades are vanishing...

**DaveHertle** · 02-27-2011 05:16 AM

Originally Posted by gravitycantforget

On the first point - no job is really good or bad (I do think SOME jobs should not exist though!) - a job is either suitable or unsuitable for you. Your task/mission as a worker is to find SUITABLE work. If you are working and its not suitable, move on as that job will be suitable for someone else and you are effectively depriving another person of happiness.

We all know that stupid petty work rules and asshole colleagues can make a good job unbearable...

I held the same position for 27 years, and found myself quite bored, quite often.
The good thing is that the position was one of many in a large organization and I could find niches that worked for me.

One strategy was to look for jobs that I wanted to do, that I could tell others avoided. One was a job that meant working with the staff for the company CEO. Many that had tried the job on a trial basis reported later to the others that they felt eventually anyone that took that job would eventually fail at something and receive the wrath of the CEO. I had one of those trial stints, so knew what they want.

The word went out, that the CEO was tired of the rotation of new bodies, and wanted the same people. The boss of our small unit asked for volunteers. Immediately, there was no response. He indicated that he would let the unit have a couple of days, then he would make the assignment.

I found a partner and we worked out a schedule that was a Win-Win for us. It turned out to be one of the best two years stints that I had ever had. The CEO hated brown-nosers. What he wanted were folks that anticipated and knew his needs and would also be quick to adapt to his latest whim. I got a lot of slack from the employer because I was doing something for him - that no one else wanted to do.

So, that is one of my little rules. Find something in the organization that works for you and that other will admire you for doing it. You will have admiration and respect and they might just leave you alone.