Ready To Quit? Maybe You're Just Bored. Here's How To Fix That

Feeling unfulfilled at work can be super frustrating, no doubt about it. So much so, that you might find yourself daydreaming about quitting and starting afresh elsewhere.

Boredom at work is common. In fact, a recent study by Colorado State University found that nearly 50% of professionals are bored in their job.

But before you throw in the towel, consider this: maybe you’re not ready to quit—maybe you just need more stimulation at your existing workplace.

The good news is, there are often many ways to reignite your passion and rediscover satisfaction in your current role.

In this post, we’ll help you differentiate between boredom and a genuine need to move on. We’ll also some offer practical strategies to pursue learning and development within your current job.

Signs of boredom vs. being ready to move on

First, let’s take a look at some differences between being bored and being ready to move on. Which of these resonates with you? (check all that apply)

Signs of boredom

• Your tasks have become too routine, and you no longer feel challenged

• You find yourself disengaged during meetings and projects

• You spend more time daydreaming about what you’d rather be doing than focusing on your work

• Tasks that used to take an hour now take a day because you can’t find the motivation (AKA procrastination)

• You feel stagnant, like you’re no longer learning or growing

Signs it’s time to move on

• Your company’s values no longer align with your own

• You’re dealing with a negative or toxic workplace culture that isn’t changing

• You’ve explored all avenues for advancement and there are zero growth opportunities

• You’re experiencing chronic stress and exhaustion, affecting your health and personal life

• You feel a sense of dread every Sunday night, anticipating the workweek ahead

How to pursue learning and development opportunities in your current role

If you ticked more of the boredom signs than signs it’s time to move on, let’s take action. Here’s how you can reignite your passion and find fulfillment without leaving your current job.

#1 Self-assessment

Start with a self-assessment quiz or tool to understand what you really want out of your job and career. What do you enjoy? What skills you want to develop? And what areas of business interest you the most? A thorough self-assessment can help you pinpoint where you want to go in your current or next organization.

#2 Set new goals

Based on your self-assessment, set new professional goals for yourself. These could be related to learning new skills, taking on different responsibilities, or aiming for a promotion. Having clear, achievable goals and timeframes can provide direction and motivation.

#3 Seek feedback

Ask for feedback about your strengths, areas for development, and overall performance from your manager or trusted colleagues. Look through your most recent performance evaluation notes for additional insights. Constructive feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and opportunities for growth. It can also demonstrate your commitment to personal development and potential for promotion in the eyes of leadership.

#4 Take on new challenges

Volunteer for interesting, career-enhancing projects or tasks outside your usual responsibilities (as long as this doesn’t contribute to burnout). This can not only break the monotony, but also allow you to develop new skills. Also: does your organization offer secondments to other departments (if applicable)? Consider this option, too.

#5 Pursue professional development opportunities

Start by looking for professional development opportunities offered by your employer. This could include training programs, workshops, or conferences. If your company doesn’t offer these, consider online courses or certifications to enhance your skills. There are many free (and low cost) courses on sites such as Coursera . Your company may be willing to fund training if it benefits your job; don’t be afraid to ask!

#6 Network internally

Build relationships with colleagues in other departments. It may sound corny, but networking internally (whether at staff events, over the water cooler, in the canteen, or at the pub after work – who said networking has to be dull?) can open up fantastic opportunities to work on cross-functional projects or even transition into a different role within the company.

#7 Ask for a new role

If you’ve exhausted all possibilities within your current role, consider internal progression or pivoting opportunities, either in your current office or other company locations (extend your search by checking out intra-company transfer opportunities abroad).

#8 Find a mentor

A mentor can provide guidance, support, and insights that can help you navigate your career path. Look for someone whose career you admire and who is willing to invest time in your development. If you can’t find someone, look further afield at industry or business influencers. Some of our favorites include Simon Sinek, Tony Robbins, Chris Voss, and Ali Abdaal.

#9 Improve your life-work balance

See how we put ‘life’ first there in the title? Sometimes, boredom can stem from trying to burn the professional and personal candles at both ends. Ensure you’re maintaining a healthy LIFE-work balance by setting boundaries at work, and taking time to recharge. A refreshed mind can offer a new perspective on your current job.

#10 Focus on personal projects

Engaging in personal projects or hobbies outside of work can also recharge you. These can provide a creative outlet and help you bring new ideas and energy to your job, or at the very least distract you from any professional issues taking up rent-free space in your head.

How to ask for development opportunities

Sure, it’s one thing to figure out what would make your current job more palatable. It’s another thing entirely to pursue it with your manager, higher leadership, and/or HR. But pursue it you must if you want to change things for the better.

Here’s what we recommend.

Prepare a proposal

Clearly outline what you want to achieve (and how it aligns with the company’s goals – this is how you’ll sell it to them). Be specific about the skills you want to develop and how they can benefit your role and the organization as a whole. The proposal doesn’t have to be long; even just a half-pager will do.

Schedule a meeting

Request a meeting with your manager. Tell them the topic in advance, so they’re not worrying about it being a resignation meeting. A short email along the lines of, “Hi Maria, if you have a few minutes sometime this week, I’d love to talk with you about some professional development opportunities I’d like to look into. Please let me know when works for you? Thank you!” will both prepare and reassure the recipient.

Be open and honest

During the meeting, be honest about your feelings of boredom and your desire for growth. Well, maybe don’t say “I’m SO bored!” Instead, point out that, “Recently I feel like my role has plateaued when it comes to learning new skills. I’d love to be doing and learning more. I have some ideas that I’d like to run by you.” At the same time, emphasize your long-term commitment to the company as well as your willingness to take on new challenges.

Ask for support

In addition to your proposal, ask for your manager’s support in identifying and pursuing other development opportunities. They may have some ideas that you hadn’t thought of, for example secondment to another department, or an industry conference you could participate in.

Follow up

After the meeting, follow up by email straight away with a summary of the discussion and next steps (don’t forget to thank them for their time and support). If you don’t hear anything in a few days, don’t be afraid to follow up again.

Conclusion

Before deciding to jump ship, it’s wise to stop and assess whether you’re truly ready to move on, or if you’re simply bored. Boredom can easily be addressed by new challenges and development opportunities within your current role, with supportive leadership behind you.

If the company takes you seriously, they’ll make the effort to accommodate your needs. If they don’t, then you’d be well justified to look elsewhere. If you’re still uncertain about whether to stay or go, take the JobLeads on-demand video course, “Self-Assessment: Sharpen your focus on where you want to go.” This 60-minute course will help you figure out what you want out of your current or next job and company. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of your own needs and wants, enabling you to better prioritize the key factors that will influence your next career move.

By taking this course, you’ll not only define the parameters of your development or job search strategy, but you’ll also enhance your resume, LinkedIn profile, and interview skills (just in case you decide to move on).

Register and take the course now at https://masterclass.jobleads.com/courses/self-assessment.

Good luck – and may the grass be greener on either side of the fence!

Key takeaways

• Differentiate between boredom and the need to jump ship by identifying if you’re simply unchallenged or truly ready for a job change

• Signs of boredom include routine tasks, disengagement during meetings, daydreaming, procrastination, and feeling stagnant

• It’s time to move on if there’s value misalignment, a toxic culture, no growth opportunities, chronic stress, or Sunday dread

• To reignite your passion, start with a self-assessment, set new goals, seek feedback, take on new challenges, and pursue professional development

• When requesting development opportunities, prepare a proposal, schedule a meeting, be honest about your feelings, ask for support, and follow up

• Improve your life-work balance by prioritizing personal time and engaging in hobbies to recharge and gain a fresh perspective

For more insights, tips and strategies related to this topic, be sure to read our other articles: How intra-company transfers can lead to a career abroad & Got laid off? Here’s what to tell potential employers & Diffuse workplace tension with these 4 tactics

Related questions

How can mindfulness practices help combat boredom at work?

Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and focused breathing, can help employees become more aware of their thoughts and emotions, reducing feelings of boredom. By staying present and engaged in the moment, mindfulness can improve concentration and make routine tasks feel more meaningful. This heightened awareness can also help employees identify specific aspects of their job that they find fulfilling or areas where they can seek more engaging responsibilities.

What are some creative ways to add variety to a monotonous job?

Adding variety to a monotonous job can include rearranging your work schedule to tackle different tasks at different times of the day, taking short breaks to reset, or listening to podcasts or music while working. You might also consider suggesting or initiating new projects, collaborating with colleagues on tasks, or finding ways to incorporate your personal interests into your work. These small changes can make daily tasks more enjoyable and stimulating.

How can mentoring others help reduce feelings of boredom?

Mentoring can reduce boredom by providing a sense of purpose and fulfillment, as it allows you to share your knowledge and experience. Engaging with mentees offers fresh perspectives and challenges, which can re-energize your own interest in your work. Additionally, mentoring can strengthen your leadership skills and open up new opportunities for career development, making your job feel more dynamic and rewarding.

Explore more articles