What to Do When Bored at Work (And the Reason Why You Feel Bored)

对工作厌倦了，可以这么做！（顺便告诉你，你为什么会厌倦）​

文献来源：What to Do When Bored at Work (And the Reason Why You Feel Bored)

​It’s Monday again.

The annoying alarm breaks the piece of silence you are enjoying. You keep pressing snooze and don’t want to leave your bed. As the hour hand points to 8, every muscle in your body feels sore.

You arrive your office and turn on the computer at your seat. Everything seems so normal, except your mind wanders…

又到周一了。​

讨厌的闹钟打破了你内心的平静。你不想离开床所以继续小睡。​当时钟指向8点的时候，你身上的每块肌肉都觉得酸软疼痛。

你到达办公室，在座位上打开电脑。看上去一切都很正常，只是你的脑子​还在神游……

If this sounds familiar to you, chances are you feel bored at work, and you are probably here to look for ways to get rid of this dreadful situation.

​In this article, I’ll look into why you may feel bored at work, the little-known consequence of it and what to do when bored at work.

如果你觉得这样的场景很熟悉，碰巧你又厌倦了工作，那么你正巧可以来这里看看摆脱可恶现状的方法。

这篇文章里，我会为你分析厌倦工作的可能因素、忽视厌倦状态的后果以及当你厌倦工作时的对策。

——————TABLE OF CONTENTS——————

一、The real reason why you're bored at work

二、The little-known consequences of ignoring your boredom

三、What to do when you're bored at work

——————内容列表——————

一、你厌倦工作的真正原因

二、忽视这种厌倦的不为人知的后果

三、厌倦工作时的对策

一、The real reason why you’re bored at work

你厌倦工作的真正原因

Boredom reveals the potential problems you have at work:

厌倦揭示了你工作中潜在的问题：

1、A mismatch between your interest and your work

你的兴趣和工作不匹配（你对所做的工作不感兴趣）

It’s very common that our work doesn’t match our interest, but we might not realize it sometimes. It’s good for you to think about why you applied for this job at the first place:

工作和兴趣不匹配是非常常见的现象，但是我们经常没有意识到这个问题。你可以好好回忆一下最初是为什么应聘这份工作的：

Because the salary was attractive? Or you had no other options but this job interview? Or you just wanted a new environment?

因为诱人的薪水？或者你当时只有这一份工作的机会？又或者你只是想换一个新的工作环境？

If these are your major concerns, you need to reconsider your interests in this job.

如果这些是主要原因的话，那么你需要重新思考一下你对这份工作的兴趣。

2、Not using your capabilities fully

你的能力没有完全发挥出来

Everyone has their strengths and talents. When your capabilities are not fully utilized at your job, you may find the assigned tasks not challenging at all.

每个人都有自己的能力和优势。当你在工作中不能完全发挥自己的能力时，你会觉得自己的工作一点儿挑战都没有。

Worse still, you may start to question your value in your company and gradually lose motivation at work.

更糟糕的是，你会开始质疑所在单位的价值，并渐渐失去工作的动力。

3、Little opportunity for growth and learning

缺少成长和学习的机会

Imagine you do the same tasks for two weeks, or two months, or two years, over and over. How would you feel? I’m sure you’ll be bored to death.

试想你两个星期都在做同样的工作，或者两个月、两年、甚至更久（没完没了）。你会感觉怎样呢？我敢肯定你一定觉得无聊死了。

If your company doesn’t provide enough opportunities to grow and learn, and you can’t see any improvement, you will start to get disappointed and probably feel bored at your job.

如果你的单位不能提供成长和学习的机会，而且你也没有任何提升，你就会感到失望并开始厌倦工作了。

4、Too much idle time

太闲

It’s important to take breaks at work. But when you are too free, it is a problem.

在工作中休息非常重要。但如果你太闲，也会是一个问题。

When you have too much idle time, your mind wanders off to somewhere else:

当你空闲的时间太多，你的思维就会神游到其他工作之外的地方：

Thinking about where to eat, your relationship problems, or what your neighbor said this morning.

比如想一想去哪里吃饭，想到感情问题，或者想起今天早上你的邻居说的那些话。

Although your mind is occupied, these thoughts are generated because you are bored.

虽然你的大脑被工作占据了，但这些想法还是会产生，因为你太无聊了。

5、You feel exhausted and tired

你感觉疲惫

You have so many goals to achieve in life or things to manage beyond work. It’s easy to shift your attention and energy away from your work because you are too occupied with other parts of your life.

你有太多的人生目标需要去实现，或者很多工作之外的事情要做。因为你考虑太多生活的其他方面，所以很容易将注意力和精力转移到工作之外。

While you pay less effort at work, the less motivated and interested you are in your job, which in turn bores you even more.

当你在工作中付出太少的努力，而且缺少对工作的激情和兴趣，那么，工作也会让你更加疲倦。

6、No clear goal

没有清晰的目标

People who have stayed in a position for a long time easily feel lost.

在一种状态里停留太久的人很容易迷失。

You start to get confused with what you want to obtain from the job. You get used to your repeating daily routine and gradually lose your passion and interests in your job.

你会对自己想要在工作中获得的东西感到迷茫。你习惯了每天重复的日常工作，渐渐失去了工作的热情和兴趣。

二、The little-known consequences of ignoring your boredom

忽略工作疲倦的鲜为人知的后果

You might think it’s okay to deal with your boredom later, but the longer you put this problem on hold, the more consequences you will face.

你一定认为晚点儿再去处理这种疲倦不要紧，但是问题积攒越久，你需要面对的后果越多。

Don’t ignore your boredom, it might take a toll on you!

不要忽视你的问题，他会给你重重一击！

1、Higher stress pressure

高强度压力

A number of readers of Stress Relief Workshop commented:

压力缓解团队的很多读者都提到：

（1）Boring jobs can be really stressful.

枯燥的工作会带来很大压力。

（2）Feeling like your skills are going to waste in your current job can be stressful.

感觉当前的工作是在浪费自己的才能，会增加压力。

2、Develop bad habits

养成坏习惯

Experts reckon people relieve their boredom by drinking alcohol, indulging in unhealthy food, or carrying out risky actions at work.

专家们认为人们会通过酗酒、沉溺垃圾食品，或者做危险的事情来缓解工作中的枯燥。

When you leave your problem unsolved, you might find stimulation elsewhere to override your boredom.

如果不解决自己所面临的问题，你可能会从其它任何方面来寻找刺激。

3、Poor mental health

影响身体健康

A study shows an upsetting fact young adults or fresh graduates may develop depressions or black moods, because they:“find themselves having to do work that doesn’t stretch them and keep them fulfilled.”

一项研究表明了一个令人不快的事实：年轻人和刚毕业的学生，会产生抑郁症和不良情绪，因为他们“发现自己必须去做无法吸引他们和让他们满意的工作。”

4、Low productivity

低效

Like I mentioned before, when you are bored and uninterested in what you do, your productivity drops drastically.

就像我在前面提到的，当你对所做的事情失去兴趣并感觉厌倦，你的效率会急剧降低。

三、What to do when you’re bored at work

当你厌倦工作时需要怎么做呢

It sounds scary when you don’t deal with your boredom but fortunately there are ways you can change the situation.

如果你不去处理对工作的厌倦似乎很可怕，但是幸运的是，可以按照以下方法来改变现状。

Boredom won’t go away unless you take the following actions:

只有采取以下的措施才可以改善工作疲倦：

1. Tell your boss or supervisor about your working situation

将你的工作状况告诉你的老板和上司

It’s always good for you to talk to your boss or supervisor if they welcome feedback. They should be the right people to talk to as they can understand and help you.

如果你的老板或上司是喜欢反馈的人，那么通常情况下，将你的情况告诉他们是比较好的选择。因为他们会理解并帮助你，所以他们是比较好的倾听者。

You can request for more challenging tasks or work that fit your interests. This can not only get you out from boredom, your boss will also appreciate your willingness to improve and learn.

你可以请求完成与你兴趣相匹配的更具挑战的任务和工作。这不仅会让你跳出枯燥，你的老板也会更加欣赏你学习和上进的积极性。

2. Try to do more than you are expected to

尝试比期望值做的更多

To use your ability and time fully, try to do more than what your boss requires. After you finish the repetitive or unchallenging tasks, spend some time to take on tasks that are beyond your responsibilities.

充分利用你的能力和时间，尝试比老板要求的做得更多。在你完成重复的没有挑战的工作之后，花一些时间去做职责之外的任务。

As time goes by, your boss will notice and recognize your work ethic. You may get interesting tasks in the future to keep you going!

坚持一段时间，你的老板会注意到并认可你的职业精神。你可能会得到感兴趣的工作并带动你继续进步！

3. Learn new skills when you are free

利用空闲时间学习新技能

If you have too much downtime, expand your knowledge and learn something new. A well-equipped person is always the gem in a boss’ eyes.

如果你有较多的停工期（空闲时间），去拓展你的知识并学习一些新的东西。一个具有较多技能的人经常会是老板眼里的佼佼者（技多不压身）。

For example, if you work in the design team but are not familiar with the use of design software, it’s a good chance for you to have some self-learning time.

比如，如果你在设计团队工作，但是对设计软件不是很熟练，那么这就是你自学的最佳时机。

4. Know what you want from your job

弄明白你想从工作中得到什么

This is important — when you know your goal, it can motivate you to work!

这点非常重要——当你知道自己的目标，他会激励着你去工作！

It’s fine to take some time to discover your goal and passion. But please remember to jot it down on a note and stick it on your desk as a reminder.

最好花点儿时间找到你的目标和激情。但是记得要将它写下来，并贴在桌子上时刻提醒自己。

You may also consider some career advice if you need help.

如果需要的话，你也可以参考一些职业建议（做职业咨询）。

5. Take breaks to fight exhaustion

休息一下来缓解疲惫

Taking rest is a preparatory step for a longer journey ahead. Don’t ever hesitate to take a break. You need it!

休息是一段长久旅行的预备动作。千万不要纠结要不要休息，你需要它！

It’s crucial for you if you want to achieve more. Just get back to work when you feel ready. Don’t underestimate the power of a short break!

如果你想得到更多，这点非常关键。当你准备好了再回到工作中。不要低估了短暂休息的作用。

6. Quit your job if it’s holding you back

如果实在忍受不了，那么，辞职吧

If you still find your work boring after trying every single method above, you should consider quitting your current job.

如果你在尝试过以上每个方法之后，依旧厌倦工作，那么你应该考虑辞掉当前的工作。

Opportunities are everywhere, there may be a better job waiting for you.

机会到处都是，一定会有更好的工作等着你。

Make a change in your life and treat yourself better!

改变一下，对自己更好一点儿！

New words：

annoying 讨厌的                snooze 小睡                   wander 漫游                 dreadful 可怕的

idle 空闲的                        occupy 占用，使用          toll 毁坏，敲击              reckon 认为

indulge 纵容，沉溺              override 否决，优先于            depression 抑郁症        

drastically 急剧地                  scary 可怕的                     work ethic 职业精神     

downtime 停工期                  gem 宝石，精品                 self－learning 自学          

 jot down 草草记下             preparatory 预备的

Good words:

be bored to death 无聊至极                 reconsider 重新考虑             

wander off 走散，偏离                         at the first place 当初    

shift your attention and energy away from 将你的注意力和精力转移开

in turn 相应的                                        feel lost 迷失，茫然       

take a toll on sb. 产生恶果                   black moods 不良情绪

fresh graduates 应届毕业生                like I mentioned before 就像我前面提到的那样

request for 要求，请求                         beyond your responsibilities 超出职责之外 

as time goes by 随着时间的流逝         a well-equipped person 一个装备精良的人