Boredom and distraction at work.

What relationship does boredom have with distraction or lack of concentration? And, what can we do to re-motivate ourselves at work?

It is not uncommon to enter periods of low motivation and energy within the work area. Even more so in jobs with automatic and repetitive tasks that in many cases can generate a feeling of emptiness and disinterest.

When you enter these cycles of boredom, it seems that nothing sparks enthusiasm, we do tasks in disconnection with our desires and interests and, in many cases, the same boredom produces procrastination and distractions that prevent the development of activities.

There is much to say in these cases, and depending on the situation, the reflection will probably reach different areas. In many cases, this boredom that appears and remains sustained over time is an indication that something has to change. Either work ceased to be a space in which we wanted to grow or associate our desires for development, or simply our interests changed and we would like to go in another direction. Sometimes we force the support of a stage for fear of change and the economic consequences of leaving a job. But these signs must be warning signs to be able to manage these changes in the best possible way.

In many other cases, boredom comes as a correlate of an internal state. Frustrations or emotional issues can cause a loss of interest in everything around us and a lack of motivation. For this reason, and depending on the reason, the possibilities of generating changes will be different and different decisions will have to be made.

Boredom is directly associated with a lack of real connection with what we do. When the desire is not associated with work, for example, boredom will easily arise, because it is difficult to link ourselves motivationally to something that we do not like. 

This boredom can also occur in cases where, for some reason, the work environment does not offer this motivation or there is little recognition of achievements. The person may have learned in this setting that whatever he does "doesn't matter," so he loses the enthusiasm to get involved and try harder.

Low tolerance for frustration also often accompanies boredom. Trying and undertaking always involve a share of risk that sometimes wants to be avoided. In this context, boredom comes from not doing and the fear of failure.

Distraction, on the other hand, is to a greater or lesser extent associated with the same thing. Distractions can manifest for many reasons, but they usually intervene when there is no motivation at work when we are emotionally or mentally "elsewhere" when there is anxiety, among others.

As we can see, there are multiple contexts in which boredom and distraction can manifest. Both usually go together. Boredom often leads to distraction. In most cases, we look for ways to distract ourselves when we are not motivated by what we have to do. That is why it is important that strategies intervene in the work environment that helps to motivate and generate a more genuine commitment to the place one occupies.

For those who work in a dependency relationship, it will be important that those in a leadership position generate creative strategies to maintain the motivation of workers, offering recognition and goals that accompany their own aspirations.

For those who work independently, it will be a personal challenge to rethink and find new strategies to find motivation. Changing dynamics or routines, getting inspired, joining others, building new goals or projects are fundamental at certain moments of the journey.

In both cases, it is important to record whether this state is recurrent in order to make decisions that help us find or rediscover what we truly want at work. 

 

Thank You