How to get inspired again when you become bored or complacent

How to get inspired again when you become bored or complacentHow to get inspired again when you become bored or complacentIf youre dreading work in the morning or have found yourself on many occasions staring at the clock to count the minutes before you can just go home, youre not alone. A full70% of U.S. employees are not engaged at work. And being bored or complacent at work isnt just badeanstalt for your productivity, its also damaging to your overall happiness.Keep in mind, though, that theres a difference between being unengaged because youre in the wrong job or companyand being unengaged because youre just in a rut.If its mora the first (thinkbad managerand / orcrappy company culture), then your solution is probably to look for a better job. However, if youre just dealing with bouts of boredom at an otherwise pretty good job situationthen your solution is simply to battle that boredom and find some inspiration.Dont waste another moment and instead, resolve to shake things up an d take steps to get inspired at work again1. Define (or revisit) your valuesWhen looking for a job, we often focus on the what of the job description rather than the how and why. The same goes for when youve been in the same routine for a while you focus on the surface level things and forget about what actually drives and motivates you.To gain some inspiration, reconnect with your why by thinking about your values and whether your current work fulfills them. Workplace values might include making a positive impact in society, being able to work independently, being part of caring great team, or using your creativity. If your current position doesnt align with your values, or if over time youve realized that your values have changed a bit, its time to think about new opportunities. Look around your workplace to identify other positions that better match your career values.2.Learn something newIn many organizations, on-the-job training or on-boarding takes just a few short days or wee ks. And when this initial necessary learning period is over, what typically happens is that unless your company has a defined long-term professional development program in place youre left to do your job without much additional opportunity to formally develop new skills. Its no wonder youre starting to feel boredom and complacencyYoure not alone either. Up to86% of Millennials say better career development opportunities would keep them from leaving their jobs. To combat this font of disengagement, look for opportunities to learn a new skill, especially those that would directly enhance your work-life and desired career path. Want to become more technically proficient? Take a coding class online. Want to pursue more responsibilities and work towards a management role? Find a leadership workshop or training session. Want to become a subject matter expert in a certain area? Join professional industry groups or attend a professional conference.3. Expand your professional circleMost of us work with the same small group of people day-in and day-out. Although this can build team camaraderie and cohesion, it can also lead to stagnation and, yes, boredom. Combat this by making an effort to branch out of your usual professional circle.Simple things you could do are consulting a colleague from a different department about a project youre working on or introducing yourself to someone new in the break room. You could even take it a step further and join (or start) an interest group either within your company or outside of it, which connects you with other people with similar interests. Any of the above will help you generate new ideas and a sense of new inspiration.4. Identify the mismatch between your talents and your workWhen were feeling uninspired at work, its usually because our abilities are not being used effectively. Only1 in 9 employees say their talents are being used to their fullest potential. Unfortunately, many of us wait for our managers to see our unique talents, rather than engaging in a little self-promotion. If this sounds like your situation, its time you make a plan and get proactive about it.Start by making a list of your skills and talents. Then, make a list of the daily tasks you do at work. Identify areas of mismatch and also think of opportunities to fill in the gaps, and bring them to your manager. The point is not to simply tell your manager how unhappy you are but to come with ideas to alter your responsibilities to better draw upon your unique talents. You may not get everything you wish for, but sometimes small tweaks to your daily routine can make a big difference in making you feel appreciated.5. Take on a challenge.If your workplace routine has left you feeling stifled and bored, chances are you need to challenge yourself more. Shake things up by saying yes to a new opportunity that comes your way, even if it seems daunting or over your head. Giving yourself a chance to get out of your comfort zone by taking on a n ew responsibility is one of the best ways to get inspired again. If your manager doesnt offer any projects that catch your eye, pitch one of your own6. Cultivate better work-life balanceTheres more to life than work, yet many Americans find it difficult to balance their personal and professional lives. Unfortunately, the more pressure you feel to put in long hours at work, the less productive youll be.Workers who are satisfied with their work-life balance are21% more productive than their peers. Instead, take a step back. Figure out ways to boost your productivity at work while remaining committed to a fulfilling personal life. Advocating for flexible work time or work-from-home opportunities can help you recharge and feel inspired again.This article was originally published on Kununu.