What to Do When You're Bored at Work

Not sure what to do when you're bored at work? You're far from alone. Statistics indicate that anywhere from 43 percent to 53 percent of employees are bored on the job, and one study indicated that two in five employees (40%) said it's likely they'd quit their job if they felt bored at work.

But workplace boredom isn't always a sign that your brain is rotting; in fact, it's perfectly natural to feel bored at work from time to time.

What really matters is how you choose to spend your downtime—you can waste it away scrolling through Instagram, daydreaming, or playing games on your smartphone, or you can use it to make yourself a better worker.

If you're struggling with what to do when you're bored at work, tackling these tasks will help you stay engaged and make you more productive.

Tidy Up Your Workstation

Having an organized desk can increase your efficiency. And, if your workspace is a total mess, you're probably wasting a lot of time searching through clutter to find things when you need them. (“Where in the world is that expense report?!”)

Another reason to tidy up: People with unorganized workspaces are viewed by their bosses and colleagues as being more neurotic and less agreeable than employees with neater desks, a study by the University of Michigan found.

Facing a mound of paperwork on your desk? Try this approach: Make a “toss” pile, a “store” pile, and a currently active “to-do” pile. That take-out menu from the bankrupt sandwich shop across the street? Throw it out. The budget report from 2017? Pop it into your filing cabinet. A printout of the presentation you're giving on Friday? Keep it on hand.

Take Stock of Your Recent Accomplishments

Keeping track of your career achievements is a smart move because it makes it a lot easier to update your resume. It also just feels good to see how your hard work is paying off.

Some of the most compelling career wins are the accomplishments that show you achieved measurable results, (e.g., “raised $1 million in donations over the past year, the largest ever received by the institute in a one-year period”).

Dust Off Your Resume

Still using your CV from four years ago? Use some of your free time at work to update your resume. After all, you never know when the next awesome job opportunity will arise. Having your resume ready to go is a must.

Reconnect With Professionals in Your Sphere

We know networking may not be your idea of a good time, but it's better than being bored at work. Plus, it's a crucial step if you want to excel in your career. Have 30 minutes to kill? Reach out to three people who have played a role in your professional development. Drop them each a note of appreciation for being so good to you. Random acts of gratitude go a long way.

Work on Your Professional Development

Searching for opportunities to further your professional development is a lot more productive than wasting time looking at your Facebook feed. Research professional seminars, conferences, or industry networking events—in-person or virtual—that you can attend. If your department is strapped for cash, look into free webinars on hot-button topics in your field.

Lend Your Coworker a Hand

Helping out a peer does wonders for building goodwill, while also improving your well-being and squashing that feeling of being bored at work. It's also key to establishing a reputation for yourself as a team player, which is no small thing—in fact, roughly 81% of hiring managers seek job candidates who demonstrate strong teamwork skills, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook survey.

Tame Your Inbox

Email can make workplace communication faster and more efficient, but it can also be overwhelming. On average, office workers spend over three hours a day checking work emails, according to Adobe's Email Usage Study. That echoes a McKinsey survey that found the average worker spends an estimated 28% of the workweek managing email.

To make your inbox more manageable, use some of your free time to cut down on the number of emails that you're receiving. You can do this by unsubscribing from newsletters, advertisements, and other unwanted emails. Pro tip: You can automatically unsubscribe from dozens of subscription e-mails at once by using Unroll.Me.

Look for a Less Boring Job

Now that you know what to do when you're bored at work, you can take some steps to conquer the humdrum. But if the boredom is pervasive, it may be time to find a job that's more stimulating. Need some help with that? Make a profile on Monster for free today. We can send you job search tips and available positions that would be a good fit for your skills and experience. Don't let a boring job cause your talents to go to waste.