When was the last time you felt bored with the task you were working on? We bet not later than a little while ago!
We all have been through moments of deviation while working. It often turns a simple task into a mammoth one, followed by boredom and stress. Even the most engaged individuals can succumb to monotonous tasks, making it a universal human agony.
To overcome the feeling, we are here with ten super tips to help you break the monotony and turn your tasks into refreshing ones.
1. Revise Your Mindset
Research says that between 30 to 90 percent of individuals experience boredom at some point in their daily lives. Generally, this pervasive lack of interest boils down to unnecessary aggression, unachieved tasks, and negative self-esteem. In such a case, the foremost thing should be outgrowing the mindset that nothing is working out in your favor or you are underqualified to do the task.
Trust us that everything can be brought back into control once you realize that you are more than capable of executing the task efficiently. Close your eyes for a few minutes, take deep breaths, and start afresh.
2. Declutter Your Workspace
Desk organization is a top-notch activity to help you stay on top of work. Whenever you are ‘not in the zone,’ spare 10-15 minutes in decluttering the physical workspace. Sort the notes and documents in one corner, tidy up your desk by removing unnecessary stationery, wipe the monitor and keyboard, and do everything you find suitable. Tidying up your surroundings can work wonders for your mental clarity and improves concentration.
3. Split up Your Time
When people stretch a task for too long, boredom falls upon them. The best strategy to counter the situation is to divide your time into two-hour blocks. Set time goals to complete a particular task by putting your 100 percent into it. Do not hasten; just stick to the time. After you finish the task, evaluate your performance on your own.
If you achieve your target or reach very close to it, give yourself a ‘pat on the back.’ Appreciating and rewarding oneself are proven to be the drivers of productivity, so you should never miss doing it.
4. Combine the Tasks
More often, people with a strong need for novelty and excitement are at a greater risk of boredom. The lack of external stimulation makes them inattentive and sick. Next step? Well!, the cure to this aspect of boredom lies in combining the task with your favorite activity.
If your current task requires less focus, you can combine it with enjoyable activities like listening to music or podcast, watching a documentary, reminiscing about your past with old videos or pictures, etc. Try giving it a shot, and you will not go disappointed!
5. Mingle with Your Pals
Being serious about your work is a good sign; however, that does not mean you would turn into a mustache-serious-uncle. When boredom creeps in, and you can’t possibly find a way out, goof up a little with your pals.
These could be your fellow employees, students, or maybe even a friend staying seven seas apart. Sharing a light moment with others can surprisingly lift your mood, pulling you out of the vicious cycle of weariness and improving your performance.
6. Lend a Helping Hand
When you do good for others, the people at the receiving are not the only ones reaping the fruits. The plenty of benefits are for you as well. Helping the people around you is a great way to tackle boredom. Known as ‘helper’s high,’ it is a psychological concept linked to a sudden cheer after lending a helping hand and support to other people.
Besides, when you volunteer, it will help you become appreciative of your blessings, reinforcing a deeper sense of gratitude. Where there is gratitude, there is a will and, ultimately, a way!
7. Get Some Vitamin ‘Green’
Everyone knows that exercising amidst the greens is beneficial for health. But how about a walk to freshen up your brain? To break the monotony, you can walk at your own pace in a park or maybe near a green entrance in your office premises. A bare minimum, like standing near the window and watching the greenery, can also serve the purpose.
Lunchtime can be an ideal time to get a quick mood boost. Many studies have shown that walking in nature can lead to a decrease in brooding behavior. It will positively impact your concentration, efficiency, and productivity.
8. Watch Out For What You Eat
Whenever we feel overwhelmed by work, we binge on food, right? We hate to break it to you but eating too much when you are sad or anxious can go against the tide. A Pennington study shows that reducing calorie intake can not only serve some brow-raising health benefits but helped people feel better mentally.
Stuffing in food, on the other hand, would make you feel lazier and drowsy. So, next time you are bored with your task, improve your mood by mindful eating.
9. Elevate the Challenge
Boredom comes neatly wrapped in belittling your capabilities. It shapes your mindset in a way that makes you believe that you can’t create wonders, let alone a simple task. Probably, the easiest way to combat that feeling is to challenge yourself with tasks that you think are too difficult to pull off.
You must make consistent efforts to take up new responsibilities, learn new skills, and brainstorm ideas that once seemed a distant dream to you. For example, for people working in technical spheres, challenging themselves to use software for routine manual tasks would sweep away the monotony.
10. Journal Your Thoughts
While a blank page can be intimidating for most people, the good news is that there are no rules for journaling. When you feel bored with your work, pull out your journal and start scribbling. You can begin by asking questions like,
“How am I feeling?”
“How would I describe myself?”
“What is my favorite motivational quote?” etc.
A journal is a perfect medium to release excessive stress, shake off brooding thoughts, and give a break. What are you waiting for? Buy one for yourself right away!
In a Nutshell…
Boredom is a universal experience. However, once you know how to drive away the feeling of inactivity, you can conquer the world. Sometimes, a perspective is enough to change the way you think about your routine tasks and make them engaging enough to stick to. We hope that the tips above will bring out a significant difference in your perspective towards boredom and monotony.
