Does anyone get really bored at work? Isn't 10 years enough doing the same job?

Question

Probably got myself in a rut here but been an IT manager for a Law Firm for about 10 years and i have just had enough. Im bored of computers, bored of the Legal Practice I work in completely. Nothing seems interesting anymore, more so everything seems repetitive and mundane. Do i really have to carry on for another 30 years doing the same thing every day? How do others cope with the boredom and remain enthusiastic about their job?

I have a thirst for new challenges and learning but nothing seems to hold any interest in the workplace anymore as it all seems so predictable and simple but yet so many others seem so enthusiastic about it all.

Answer 1

10 years is obviously too long for you and that job to be together. You sound pretty young, considering that you think you may have to work for another 30 years. Start looking for other options and something that will make you happier than you are now. Maybe it's just a different legal practice that you need to try, maybe try to do IT for a totally different industry or maybe it's time to switch from IT to something else entirely. You are definately too young to be as miserable at your work as you sound.

I've worked at my job for nearly 10 years and I still totally love it and can see myself doing it for another 15-20 years. It makes getting up in the morning and going to work SOOO much easier, if you don't hate your job.

Don't waste another day - start looking for options and things that will make you happy right now.

Answer 2

Sounds like you need to seriously consider resigning. I feel exactly the same way about my current job after 2 years, and I'm outta here the minute I get a better offer!!

You ought to take a day off and go meet with some recruitment consultants. They can give you an idea of where you can go from here. I understand it's really difficult when you've got 10 years experience, you're very specialised and probably have a salary that reflects this, which you will not want to compromise. So it's not as easy as just saying "find a new job or career". You should go through your options through with people who know what they're talking about and can help you. (Although be wary of them trying to fobb you off onto jobs like the one you have now, they'll probably try this because they know the company will want you, even if it's not the change you're after)

And read through all the job ads for inspiration, see what interests you and think about how you can combine that with your specialties.

Answer 3

Try teaching.

Every day i wake up and actively look forward to going into school. I get to meet, on average, 150 pupils each day, not to mention the other members of staff. Working with people (especially kids) is unpredictable, so no two days will ever be the same. In addition, you're always teaching something new. You never teach an identical lesson, because although you may be covering the same topic, you are teaching a fresh set of individuals.

I can see myself doing this job until retirement, quite easily. Even if you were to get tired of a single school, it's relatively easy to transfer to another one. Or you could switch subjects. I guess as an IT manager you would start out teaching IT. You'd certainly be qualified!

There are also a number of branches you can diversify into. You wouldn't be stuck as a classroom teacher, if you wanted to move into other things. It's possible to assume a more pastoral role (head of year for example), or you could work towards seniour management. There are lots of opportunites. The pay isn't bad either.

The kids are great. There are so many people who tell me that they couldn't do my job because they would be concerned about the kids and thier attitudes - it's just not the case. If you have a sense of humour, and treat the kids with respect they deserve, you'll have no problems at all. Alright, there are always exceptions, but they are just that - exceptions. The majoirty of kids you come into contact with are great.

It certainly keeps you feeling young, and it keeps your mind sharp. Every day is a new challenge, and you are shaping the future of anywhere up to 600 individuals in a given year. Might be worth considering...

Hope this helps...

Answer 4

I've had a HUGE string of jobs in my past. I've been a grocery store checkout operator, a supervisor in the same store, an electronics technician, a consmetics factory worker, a Gas & Electricity salesman, a cocktail barman, a stand-up comic and now I'm a Casino Receptionist.

When I get bored of a job, I just up and leave. Having a diverse range of skills is an advantage in my opinion.

Answer 5

Bedhead, find out what's right for you and then do it. No one else knows what is the right job for you, only you do. I have been doing my job for five years and cannot believe the rapid transitions from how much I loved the idea when I was going into it to the total hatred I feel for my job right now. I am going to leave and do what I want to do within 15 months and that is all that keeps me going. No one could have told me that I was going into the wrong thing for me at the time, it was important for me to find that out for myself. I don't know that what I am going to do next is the right thing for me either - but I am going to try. What I'd hate is to be sitting on my death bed thinking "I wish I had done....". I'd rather be glad now thinking that even if I failed, at least I tried. Good luck.

Answer 6

Sounds boring! Of course you don't have to carry on, get out and do something else - save your soul. Just takes guts. There's a book called something like '101 ways to avoid being an accountant' it's a collection of unusual careers. Fantastic.

Answer 7

me so bored too 5 years making cyclodextrin think ill do a shot