My boring boring job - need to motivate myself

[MamaDuckling]

I’m so bored. It must show on my face in these endless, circular Zoom calls.

I now have another call with my lovely boss and need to feign some enthusiasm despite being on the edge of a burnout (through lack of challenge, reward, motivation and interest I think)…

Anyone else just going to through the motions doing the minimum required and trying not to get fired??

Yes, completely understand OP. Don't have an answer to it though unfortunately.

I really struggle to motivate myself but then if we have a deadline I end up having to work late to get finished. Never had this problem in previous jobs.

Doesn't help that we have to do timesheets either.

So fed up but I'm also terrible at interviews, so looking for a new job is very stressful for me.

Yes I can sympathise. my manager is good at heart but terrible at managing. Never makes time for me, have asked and asked for more work and substantial tasks and things are always promised but never materialise. He seems happy for me to sit twirling my thumbs but then I feel guilty. Bored but also have two under 3 and cannot face trying to job hunt and prove myself in a new role with all the home stress. At least it’s only part time.

Can you identify why it’s boring? Lack of work, repetitive work, no chance to chat to colleagues, no chance for promotion?
Once you have identified why it’s boring are there any changes you can make it your current job?
If not at least you will know what you are looking for in your job search.

It’s just so rubbish isn’t it. I’ve had a couple of interviews elsewhere but always get popped to the post by one apparently. Now I’m in such a rut I can’t even motivate myself to job hunt. And I need p/t too which makes the search harder still!

I honestly think I’d be better in a shop/service industry job where I go in, talk to people, do the job and come home. Like you @DirectionToPerfection I procrastinate then work late getting stuff done. Don’t think I’m cut out for virtual paper pushing anymore!

Is there anything that would make your job more interesting? I often feel like this in January because it goes quiet but when things start picking up I feel better.

@Findyourneutralspace job has been like this for ahead unfortunately.

I realised that I work better on short term projects/tasks, hate the long burn of papers/strategies etc or repetitive work - mine has become both unfortunately.

@MamaDuckling I'm exactly the same , god I'm bored , I have lots to do but I'm not interested in any of it .

I think I could manage boring if it wasn’t taxing… my work is both boring and mentally demanding though, and it just sucks all the life and energy from me even thinking about doing any of it.

Even writing this down and re-reading it makes me realise I definitely need a change.

Mine can be a bit taxing but generally not . Are you actively job seeking or looking half heartedly ?

Here's what I've been doing:

• Found a course related to my job and studied in my own time. Applied what I learned to work.
• Applied for a Government Skills Bootcamp for a particular skill. In progress.
• Kept work informed about what I was doing. Made sure work was done to the standards I was learning. (you might be able to get work to sponsor this)
• Applied for jobs, pushing the new/continued learning.

Either my job will be desperate to keep me and up their game (not going to happen, management are shite), or I can apply for new roles.

But sticking with the same employer is not the best route to progress. People who move jobs get higher pay and progression than those who stay.

I too am bored to death with my job. It's now just phoning
people all day trying to recruit them. Many are just not interested and that's even if they answer the phone. It's 100% WFH and zero hours. I gave my a manager notice in the summer and have now reduced my hours to virtually zero but struggling to motivate myself to find something else. I might have stayed if there was more variation but that wasn't forthcoming. Not sure what I want to do and am late 50s.