If you hate Mondays and feel bored out of your mind while at work, you’re not alone.
It’s natural for you to feel bored and unsatisfied even while doing something you love. This happens when you keep doing the same type of work over and over again every day.
After a while, you’ll get so used to the work you do that most part of it will happen in automation.
Just like driving a car or brushing your teeth in the morning.
When it comes to your job and work, the boredom creeps up when you’re not challenged enough.
In order for work or anything in life to be more interesting and engaging, it needs to be challenging. Not too challenging. Just a little to ensure that you get to activate your brain and keep growing.
Finding this balance is not that tough. Here are a few things I did to make this happen.
How To Challenge Yourself
“Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
I was lucky to discover my passion for writing so early in my life. And even luckier to be able to earn money doing what I love.
Although, even when I love my work as a freelance writer, there have been days when I felt bored and uninspired to do work.
This happens when I keep working on the same type of projects and writing the same kind of content for long periods of time. Because I don’t feel challenged enough.
I found a way to motivate myself and to challenge myself to keep doing the same work without getting bored.
The decision I’ve made is to talk to my client and ask him to add slightly more challenging tasks for my work. He was more than happy to do so.
I also challenged myself outside of work. Like starting side projects and hobby projects. A small gaming blog was born as a result.
I started reading books on topics that I haven’t even thought of. Like Buddhism and crime thriller novels.
All these small challenges heavily impacted the way I work. I rarely felt bored. And these small changes helped me to survive over 7 years as a freelance writer.
Keep in mind that these challenging will only take you so far. Eventually, you’ll feel the need to take things to a different level.
This is the time to take safe risks!
What Are Safe Risks?
“If things seem under control, you are just not going fast enough.” — Mario Andretti
I used to love taking risks. I would switch jobs, drop clients to find a new one, raise my prices, and do all kinds of risky things.
I didn’t care if I lose my clients or if I made less money. All that mattered to me was that I’m enjoying my work and keep challenging myself.
Things changed after I met my girlfriend (now fiancée). All of a sudden I found myself to be responsible for another person.
The actions I take now directly affect my relationships and future. Even though she gave me total freedom to take risks, I didn’t!
I assume this is the same case for people who care for their families or children.
It’s easy for someone to say quit your job and start freelancing. Only you know how scary it is to take that risk and put your family at risk in the process.
I started thinking about ways to take risks but more safely. Taking risks with a plan so that you have something to fall back on.
For example, I wanted to take my freelance writing career to the next level by becoming a content strategist.
Instead of dropping all my clients and looking for a different gig, I started preparing for myself one step at a time.
First I took a few online courses to learn everything about content strategy. I practiced the craft by building my own blogs and websites. I also looked for opportunities that I could join. I was prepared to even work as an intern to get started.
And then, when I finally talked to my client about leaving the job he offered me a better position that involves many aspects of content strategy.
Safe risks are just like calculated risks. You only take the risk when you’re at least 80% sure of the result.
Or, Just Go All In
Sometimes, the best way to commit to something is to go all in.
Give your 100% to your dream and goals. If you’re single or have a supportive spouse, the process will be much easier.
Make them understand your plan and your future. Maybe it will work out or maybe it won’t. But you’ll at least be happy knowing that you’ve tried. Instead of regretting when you’re 50.
“Security is mostly a superstition. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” – Helen Keller
Go on your adventure. You’ll never know what may lie ahead if you don’t try.
Images via Freepik.com
I really do relate as someone who had a 9 to 5 job last year. Stepping into the Freelancing industry is both exciting and scary for someone like me who has been so used to doing my previous work. Thank you for the tips.
Things will only get better in time. Best of luck!