Wibu to stay in a job where I want to bang my head on the desk in frustration/boredom?

[Newjobtime1]

Trying to decide what's more important, a job that is mostly enjoyable or good work/life balance and progression?

Would you stay in a job that you thought would be challenging and enjoyable but found that it really isn't. It's a good job with training and professional exams/development but I'm so ridiculously bored. It works perfectly for my family because it is no pressure/stress for 2 years until I sit my exams. Fairly easy to get time off and the team are lovely. My youngest starts school in 2 years so in terms of stress and flexibility it's great but it's nothing like I expected it to be and I feel like the skills and knowledge I have are being wasted.

Would you stay in a job that was boring just because it works well for 2 years and it will provide a good route to progress. Or is being happy and fulfilled more important?
Wibu to leave a stress free job when my baby is young and look for something more full on when I am lucky enough to have a 'good' but boring job?

When you are a parent, and working, everything becomes about the 'balance'.

I really, really, wouldn't minimise having a lovely team and employers that make it easy for you when you need time off.
That said, I would hate to be bored at work.
Not so bad though, when you know it is for a fixed period. I think it is easier to put up with something when you can count off the months or weeks until you can stop doing it.
That said don't underestimate how much more complicated childcare gets when your dc get a bit older and need moving from school to afterschool activities, or friends' parties, etc.

Is it likely to lead to something more interesting? If yes, then it might be worth hanging in for a while. If not, I'd think about looking around.

Surely you can make something interesting out of the job by asking for other duties, working with other people/departments, taking on more interesting training specialisations? Talk to your boss.

Having a lovely positive-environment stress free job with decent co-workers is something you'll look back on as halcyon days when it all goes to shit in later years!

stay in the the job. if nothing else, you're learning how to deal with boredom.

I'd stay. Flexible working and a good team spirit makes it valuable. You never know whether the job will grow in the future and provide you with more opportunities....

I've been in a boring job for 8 years partly because it fits in around the kids. I like the company but there's very little variation.

Flexibility is great. Could you do extra work placed reading/courses when your bored?. I understand I started a new job a few months ago. I'm not busy all the time. I wish I was. I end up listening to books on audible.im a PM. I have 6 projects and have actually asked for more work today. I've been given 2 projects from 2 colleagues. Who are having problems with more than 2 projects. Maybe you just work quicker than others or are more effective?

There are days we're I'd give anything for a boring job.

At least that way I'd have some energy left for myself and my family.

Depends if it's boring but still busy. Bored because you're not busy enough is really draining.

The grass is always greener. I think the time you'd regret leaving would be when you are juggling making an ear!y meeting with dropping dc off...then one of them throws up over you...
As you say as well, it's for a finite period anyway.

What has management said when you've put forward your ideas on how to expand your role or get involved with more challenging projects?

BackforGood that's what I'm thinking and I should make the most of the good balance and appreciate that it's stress free rather than wish it was more challenging. I have two order dc, one in high school and one in primary, so we already have the mad juggling of everything. The baby is the easiest bit

It isn't the kind of work where I can ask for more challenging stuff or to get involved in other projects. My whole department do the same thing I'm doing. I can see that it doesn't get any more challenging or interesting even after my training is complete. But it can lead to progression on to other roles.
I haven't worked for 8 years so it's hard for me to know what to do about getting good balance between knowing I can do the job fairly easily and progress and wanted something that pushes me more.

Giraffeowlllama the job we do doesn't really get busy/not busy. There is always a steady stream of work but it's the actual work I find boring and repetitive.
It's strange because everyone in the department keeps saying things like 'it's so much more complex that it seems isn't it' and ' I found it so hard to understand when I started'. They are a really lovely bunch but I just nod along thinking it's not complex at all and a lot more basic than I expected. Part of the problem may be because I have a qualification related to the field so I understand what I'm reading. Whereas all the others there ended up in our department without a background in our field and worked their way up so they had to learn a lot initially to understand the work whereas I have a good understanding already.

Keep the job! Toxic offices are rife and work life balance is very valuable
Use the lack of work to do boring life admin (cheapest energy suppliers etc) and elaborate holiday planning 😍

Not to long ago I swapped a similar role for a more challenging one. I’d been in my old job 10 years and despite lovely work mates and amazing flexibility I was unbelievably bored. I tried everything to make it more interesting but I didn’t have anyone to help push or manage me so it was all self driven.

I swapped it for a job where I technically work the same hours and the job is much more interesting. But I end up working a lot more hours and the mental load from being constantly mentally challenged is a lot more tiring than I factored in.

I think I’m about as happy as I was before but have swapped one downside for another! I don’t regret the move as long term it’s better for my career but I am missing the flexibility a lot!

I am in the exact same position. I have been in my job 5 years now and it is the easiest, most stress free job I have ever had but I am mind numbingly bored. I was sticking to it as my partner and I are TTC, benefits are fab, work team fab etc etc etc. However now, out of the blue we will all be made redundant come the new year!
I've always thought I should leave for something that actually uses my brain - well now I'm not getting a choice! Despite your boredom I think it is actually relatively worth it when you have a family x

If you decide to stay you can "gameify" things to add a bit of silly fun.
Buzzword bingo e.g. when you get a particular client name
Give yourself virtual (or real) prize for doing x pieces of work.

Or depends on how much concentration the work takes but can you treat the work as a kind of repetitive meditation thing- use 50% of brain for task and 50% to think of relaxing things.

I’m having exactly the same dilemma. Safe easy job for 5 years now, great flexibility and no stress while my kids are still at primary school...

Except it’s actually so unbelievably stressful being bored to tears every day! Pair that with feeling that my skills are wasted here and constantly being undermined by work colleagues is making me literally desperate to leave!
I’ve applied for a promotional post where I used to work before, it’s full time but I don’t even mind. I just have to get out of here before I die of boredom or murder a colleague

Personally I find being bored at work absolutely soul-sappingly awful, so if I were you I’d be giving myself a hard deadline for looking for new things if it will lead to opportunities elsewhere after you’re trained up.

You sound over qualified can you apply for promotion?

Stay for now.

Low stress, flexible and a nice team are really important to overall happiness.

Use time at work to get involved in additional projects or initiatives, get yourself out there in industry events and network etc

I'd also say stay in the job. A good team and good management are rare. You may end up with something more challenging, but you will end up kicking yourself if you have to work with people you don't like and a nightmare boss.

What I would do in your case is be honest about the fact that for you the work is not complex, which is understanble given your qualifications. Let your coworkers know that if they struggle with anything they are welcome to come to you for help. This way you profile yourself as an expert, which will look good come promotion time. Furthermore, you can use your qualifitcayions to make yourself indispensable.

Just make sure you don't talk down to your coworkers.

In your position I would stick with the job as it will only be for 2 years and it will ultimately progress your career. I have been in my job 5 years and have spent the last 2 years trying to move to the next level but I am unable to work full-time and there are no part-time opportunities. I was over-qualified for the role when I took it 5 years ago and I am now really bored and feeling extremely stuck.

Seems like the consensus is to keep at it. I'll carry on then and be glad of the stress free and lovely team aspects. But keep my eye on possible promotions when the time comes. Thanks all