Dealing With The Doldrums At Work

3 mins
Published on April 09th, 2014By The Survey Initiative

Just being able to get through the day is just one of the motivational problems that people encounter at work and it can have an adverse effect on employee engagement levels and productivity won’t exactly be at its peak. So, just how do you deal with the problem of boredom?

Of course, there are the more obvious and sensible ideas, such as making sure there is enough work to keep you busy and creating interesting and inspiring tasks.

But here, we’d like to offer 10 alternative, creative and quirky ideas to prevent the boredom from setting in:-

Write a blog

A great idea for when things are slow at work. Write down lists, thoughts and ideas. This will help give you topics to write about. Make sure you write about things that interest you, things that you are knowledgeable about and things that other people may be interested in.

Meditate at your desk

This is not a fancy term for taking a sneaky nap, the key is actually not to fall asleep. Closing your eyes and concentrating on your breathing brings your focus back and relaxes you.

Crank up the tunes

Playing some upbeat tunes might just do the trick. Music makes work fun. Either play it on your speakers if your colleagues are in agreement or plug in your ear phones.

Call a friend

When there’s nothing better to do, why not call someone to catch up or just to say hi! It’s a great way to stay connected and can leave you feeling happier.

Do some push-ups and crunches

You might as well start getting in shape if you’re bored. You can do push-ups and crunches right there on the floor next to your desk or walk up some steps, or do squats and lunges without weights, or dips in your chair. Not only will this increase your energy levels, but your employer will be happy that you’re looking after your own well-being.

List your life goals

What is it you want to achieve and accomplish in life? Not just with work, but personally? If you’ve made a list in the past, update it. Then choose one of those goals to achieve this year. Now think about what you can do today to move closer to that goal, even if it’s just a small thing. Get the ball rolling!

Choose a new desktop picture

Go online and browse around and find an interesting, inspiring, soothing or funny picture to display on your desktop. Make this a weekly or monthly task – it’ll give you something to look forward to.

Drink some water

Dehydration can make us tired, sluggish and lethargic. Water refreshes us. Make sure there’s a continuous supply throughout the working day.

Carry out an errand

This can either be in the office or outside the office. It gets you moving, and it gets you away from your boredom for a short while, and accomplishes something useful.

Or just get wild!

Why not just let loose. Start singing at the top of your voice or have a little dance around the office or shop floor. Sure, people might stare or laugh, but a little fun in the office isn’t a bad thing.

Whatever idea or ideas you choose to help alleviate boredom and apathy at work, it will most definitely inspire employees to be more engaged, motivated and more productive at work.

So, if you’d like more ideas on how to encourage better employee engagement in your organisation, then why not give us a call on +44 (0) 1255 850051 or complete our online web contact form.