Not Feeling Challenged at Work?

It’s become a bore. Every commute is an uninspired trudge, and every day unfolds as dragged-out grey tedium, punctuated by yawns and the constant checking of the clock.

Well, maybe it’s not that bad. But you do feel underutilized and unappreciated. You need room to stretch your talents and develop your skill set, both to push your career forward and to feel fulfilled by your day-to-day work life.

You need to break out of your professional purgatory. But what can you do? Here are a few steps you can take if you don’t feel challenged at work:

Look in the Mirror

Think of the classic breakup line: “it’s not you, it’s me.” That might be the case here. If you’re phoning in your performance at work, time to take stock. You could represent a major source of the problem.

Before making major life changes, examine your own input into the situation. Breaking out of the funk might only require a change of attitude.

Set Goals

What’s the difference between an engaging story and a meandering, rambling bore? Direction.

Even the most routine tasks become more interesting when they are invested with meaning when they fit into a larger plan. Make goals to provide motivation. This includes short-term targets (like increasing your productivity by 10%) and longer-term ones (become a manager in three years).

Look for Advancement

Your current job might offer little excitement, but it can still represent the gateway to something more fulfilling. See what opportunities you can find within your company.

If you can leverage your current position into longer-term career advancement, your day-to-day might not seem as dull or inconsequential. Map out possible ways to land a in a more interesting situation at your present company.

Tell Your Boss

The fact that you don’t feel challenged isn’t just a problem for you. It suggests that your talents are not being used to the full potential. Your company should want to rectify that. The more value your employer can coax out of you, the better it is for them.

With that in mind, talk to your boss about your issue. They might have more challenging work you could take over. Or, they can let you know how to work towards a higher position.

Look Outside

It’s possible you are just in the wrong place. You may need to look elsewhere to find the challenges you seek.

There are many ways to engage in interesting outside pursuits that also help your career development. One option is to enroll in some classes. This should provide sufficient challenge while increasing your skill base. You can also look to add freelance assignments. These outside contract jobs could provide a needed source of fulfillment.

Or it might be time for a new position altogether. If you’re ready to start testing the market, team up with a strong recruiting partner, like SmartTalent. They can put in you in a situation that will challenge you and set you up for long-term advancement.

Contact SmartTalent today to find out more.