How To Overcome A Monotonous Work, Expert Advice: Find Personal Projects To Be More Challenging

Illustration of how to deal with monotonous work (Freepik/benzoix/nakaridore)

YOGYAKARTA – The best way to fix something you hate is not to avoid it. According to psychologist Lauren Florko, Ph.D., who specializes in industry and organization, try finding a personal project to make it even more challenging. Does that mean you have to go out and leave your job? No, this is what a Vancouver-based psychologist explains.

No job is without problems. Everything you do, of course, will have its own challenges. But what if nothing new or something about your work excites you? Florko's first suggestion to make you love what you do more is to remember why you are interested in the work you are doing. It could be about the company you work for, the boss you idolize, or you love your job for no other reason.

Second, try to find out why your spirits are fading. Launching Psychology Today, Monday, November 7, if there are certain things that make you no longer 'curious' about what you are doing, then you need to be aware of them. For example, did the jobdesc change, the closest colleague left, or something else. Once you know the origin, you can figure out how to fix it.

Illustration of how to deal with monotonous work (Freepik/nakaridore)

Solutions can be created or structured depending on what you like and what the problem is. Without these two aspects, you will not find the right way. There may be a myriad of solutions, Florko adds, but not all of them will help you 'fall in love' again with what you do during work hours.

When it comes to work problems, Florko helps identify them. If you have a problem with the work itself, or are experiencing traffic jams, then find out with your coworkers. It's different if your expectations are too high but reality is only as long as the pole. For this matter, you can plan a personal project related to your work to improve the quality of work.

So, if you feel like your job is monotonous, doing the same thing every work day, and you don't feel challenged anymore, try looking for a passionate project. This does not mean finding something that stirs the passion for life. But it can be something that rejuvenates your spirit without draining your energy. You can also get new ideas by reading, or deepening your area of ​​expertise in other ways. For example, meeting experts and exchanging ideas with colleagues so as to generate new initiatives.

If you don't have the opportunity to take on a new 'project', find a tool or person to help with your work. Then, increase the time spent on meaningful work and set boundaries around work that can demotivate you. For example, if you're the type of person who gets up early, do all the tasks you dreaded early on. The goal is to finish early and then recharge with tasks you enjoy.

In addition to maintaining connections with coworkers and making friends with people who may be hindering your work. Why? Because it can help you redesign the process or empathize with the reasons why the bottleneck exists. That is, whatever steps you take, the goal is to make you feel 'alive' at work, build friendships, your perspective is heard, and competence is built. That way, you will find satisfaction in your career.