There are many pitfalls when managing a workplace, but did you know that your employees being bored is a threat as well? This is something called a boreout and it can lead to significant issues in your business.
Today, we're going to look at what boreout is, how it affects your business, and what you can do to prevent it.
What is boreout?
Boreout is a condition that can be just as insidious as burnout. It is characterized by chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.
It has been on the rise partly due to the blurring of work/life boundaries many have experienced while working from home during the pandemic.
Boreout is a common complaint at work, and it can be really frustrating. When you're stuck in a job that's not stimulating, it can be hard to focus on your work.
You may find yourself daydreaming or zoning out. And if you're not getting the job done, that can lead to frustration and a feeling of being stuck. Extreme boreout or chronic boredom in your employees can lead to a lack of motivation and those employees eventually leaving you.
Can you recognize the signs of boreout?
When experiencing boreout, it can have a negative impact on your work performance and day-to-day life. Early signs of boreout may include feelings of sadness, anxiety, and depression.
You may find that you're feeling bored at work, or that the work you're doing is mundane and doesn't offer you much opportunity for social interaction.
If this is the case, you may find that you're feeling underwhelmed with your job, and this could be harming your productivity and enjoyment.
When you're experiencing significant boredom with your work or life, there are some warning signs you may be headed for boreout. Five common symptoms to look out for are:
- Feeling restless or bored all the time
- Feeling like you can't focus on anything, despite having challenging tasks
- Repeating tasks or activities over and over again, but still having feelings of boreout
- Lost interest in your hobbies or activities in your personal life
- A decrease in productivity or motivation and a poor work life balance
The management team in a company must be very conscious of the fact that boreout can turn into a very serious issue with employees who continue to work from home and have little intellectual stimulation.
A major challenge could be finding the right balance between workload and motivational factors that can keep an employee working from a remote location focused on the work.
Likewise, employees working from remote locations will have to find ways to keep themselves occupied to avoid boreout.
Boreout vs burnout
The terms "boreout" and "burnout" are frequently used in the workplace, but what do they actually mean?
Boreout: A state of intense boredom, suffocation, or ennui.
Burnout: A state of extreme exhaustion and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged stress or overwork.
So, boreout syndrome is a feeling of being overwhelmed and suffocated, while burnout is a feeling of being emotionally drained. In general, boreout is more harmful to your health, while burnout can lead to career-threatening consequences.
There are a few key differences between boreout vs burnout that can affect your productivity.
- First, boreout syndrome is more likely to result from repetitive tasks that are not interesting or engaging. This can lead to a feeling of detachment from the work, which can make it difficult to focus. Burnout, on the other hand, is more likely to result from tasks that are challenging but also enjoyable. This combination can lead to a sense of satisfaction and motivation, which is essential for sustained productivity.
- Second, boreout syndrome is more likely to result from prolonged exposure to stress. This stress could be due to being under-challenged at work or just having to work on a repetitive task over and over again. Such employees could nurture the feeling that there is very little opportunity to experience variety in their work. Burnout, on the other hand, can be the result of any amount of stress.
- Finally, boreout is more likely to lead to emotional exhaustion. The symptoms of boreout usually indicate a psychological disorder that more often than not leads to a physical illness. Burnout, on the other hand, is often accompanied by feelings of anxiety and anger.
So, if you're feeling overwhelmed and suffocated at work, it's important to take a step back and assess your situation.
If you're feeling emotionally drained, it's time to take some time off to replenish your energy. Either way, it's important to seek out help if you're feeling like you're on the brink of burnout or boreout.
How to deal with boreout?
When you find yourself feeling bored at the office, you may be experiencing boreout.
Boreout is a common feeling of being drained and exhausted after being surrounded by similar people and doing the same thing over and over again.
To avoid being bored at work, here are some tips:
- Break the monotony. Change your work routine and explore different areas of your job. This will help you to stay engaged and excited about your work. Add some more meaningful tasks or simply change the volume of tasks you work with daily.
- Set boundaries. If you find yourself getting bored or stretched thin, set boundaries. Say to your boss that you need more time to complete a task, or that you need more variety in your work. Let them know when you're showing boreout signs, and be upfront about what you need help with.
- Take on new challenges. When you feel bored at work, it can be tempting to stick to the same tasks and routines. But taking on new challenges can help you feel engaged and motivated. Try to push yourself to do something that's out of your comfort zone. This will increase your chances of succeeding and sparking your interest in the work.
- Get creative. When you find yourself feeling bored at the office, it can be tempting to take a break and relax. But sometimes it's helpful to get creative and explore new ideas. This will help you stay engaged and motivated about your work.
- Seek out new sources of stimulation. If you can't find what you're looking for at work, look for sources of stimulation outside of work. Check out new blogs, watch new TV shows, or read new books. When you have something new to look forward to outside of work, you'll be less likely to get bored and your leisure time will keep you mentally healthy.
- Take a break. When you're bogged down at work, just take a break. Go for a walk, take a break for lunch, or step away from your computer for a few minutes. When you come back, you'll be refreshed and ready to tackle your work again.
- Seek out new opportunities. If you don't enjoy your current job, look for new opportunities. Ask your boss if you can shadow someone else in the office, or attend a training session to learn more about a new area. If you don't feel like you can change jobs, consider looking for ways to improve your work experience on your current assignment.
- Talk to your supervisor. If you find that you're feeling really bored or drained at work, it might be a good idea to talk to your supervisor. This will help them to understand the signs of boreout and may help them to find a solution.
- Be open to new ideas. If you find yourself struggling to come up with new ideas, be open to new ideas. If your boss proposes a new project idea, try it out. If a coworker comes up with an innovative solution to a problem, listen. Boredom at work is often the result of not trying new things.
- Identify your strengths. You can identify your strong points in several ways. What comes easily to you? What are those hobbies or events that draw you naturally toward them? Talk to your friends, family, and co-workers. Ask them what they think you're good at. You might be surprised by what they have to say.
If you find yourself bored at work, try to take some of these tips into account. By doing so, you'll find that you can stay engaged and focused on your work.
The only way to deal with boreout is to make changes in your life and career. We hope that our blog helped you find some new ideas and inspiration for your career.
And if you need an easy way to keep track of your schedules at work, here is a popular work schedule maker you can use online.
Wrapping up
Boreout can be a simple problem with complex and far-reaching consequences. If someone is bored at work, this can influence their mental health and their entire career path. It's up to the employer to make sure that this never happens.
If you run a business and want to make sure your employees do not have a lot of downtime, try tracking their time for the tasks they perform. Try Unrubble today for free and let your entire team track their time with just one click.
