Banishing Boredom

It sometimes seems like my own life goes through periodic themes - maybe yours does too. When this happens, a certain topic or problem pops up again and again via discussions with friends, books that fall off library shelves and land at my feet, items in the news and other things. Recently I've been hearing from a variety of people about boredom at work. This isn't surprising, given that a stagnant economy has kept people locked in jobs for several years.

For most of the people who've mentioned boredom to me, including a few practice clients from my life coaching course, there's no place else to go. Therefore, they must learn how to stay reasonably sane in a job they've outgrown long ago. They're looking for ideas.

At various times in my working life I've tried these possibilities:

• Using a workday as an all-day mindfulness practice lab. Trying to stay in the moment and be acutely aware of what's going on around you and what people need is incredibly challenging.
  
• This idea came from Pronoia: How the Universe is Conspiring to Shower You with Blessings. Act as if your current job is your dream job. This doesn't mean giving up on finding something more suited to your abilities, it means acting in a way that brings those abilities forward. It really does work.
• Come up with projects you could propose to your supervisor if you have the freedom to make suggestions and take on new roles. If you don't, think of some private goals that only you need to know about.
  
• Make workplace friendships. This will give you something to look forward to on work days.
• Take all your allotted breaks, and make lunch break special. Meet your spouse or partner for lunch if you have enough time, take your sketchbook to a park and draw, plan your next big project...whatever turns lunch into a mini-vacation for you.
  
• Give special attention to your after-hours arts or creativity practice, personal goals and meaningful (for you) activities. You need these more than ever during stagnant times.
• Finally, keep your resume up to date and ready to send. Keep watching craigslist, Monster.com or any other sources you use. Make certain that if the perfect-sounding (or at least more challenging) position shows up, you're ready.