Is Job Boreout As Bad As Job Burnout?

Being bored can be bad for your health...at least at work!

In the realm of workplace well-being, burnout has emerged as a significant concern, characterized by exhaustion, cynicism, and diminished performance according to the World Health Organization. Burnout is often triggered by a fiercely demanding workload with competing priorities and quick turnaround timelines for deliverables.

However, a lesser-known - yet equally detrimental phenomenon - is 'boreout', a psychological condition resulting from a lack of mental stimulation and fulfillment in one's job.

What is 'Boreout'?

While burnout stems from feeling overworked, boreout arises from feeling unfulfilled due to a lack of progressively challenging work, unstimulating work, or work that is overly challenging given your innate skill set. Recognizing Boreout Symptoms

Typical symptoms of work boreout, include being perpetually under-challenged, continuously performing monotonous tasks without variation, or lacking opportunities for growth.

6 Risk Factors Effecting Boreout 1) Inadequate workload, either quantitatively or qualitatively, leaves individuals feeling unchallenged and undervalued in their roles. 2) Simple and long "Repetitive Tasks" that one mastered can become monotonous and soul-sucking if they are an out-sized portion of your job. Routinely engaging in tedious work is a common recipe of boredom.

3) Unstimulating Work. Some work is innately boring in itself. Many wage slaves consider accounting, tax/insurance work, and banking to be sleep-inducing endeavors in their own right. Employees who are math averse or have short attention spans to process complex information that isn't fun or personally relevant will likely sink in such finance professions.

4) Poor Personality Match. Creatives, action-oriented people, and helping types often become bored in overly structured jobs with little novelty and unpredictability. In other cases, jobs that require too much bland information absorption - that workers have no personal connection to or inherent interest in - result in overly bored employees.

A surprising factor of "boreout", is a newer employment trend popularized during the 2020 - 2022 pandemic... 5) Remote Work can have an aura of environmental sameness that can be uninspiring if you don't leave the house much. Such home-bound workers can lose the physical benefits of Vitamin D from regular sunlight exposure and the healing effects of experiencing nature, if they rarely "touch some grass".

Also, one can feel socially isolated and empty - if they only see the same handful of loved ones. Your spouse really isn't THAT interesting 24/7, unless he or she is Diddy.

Losing out on the joys of forging fulfilling professional relationships outside the home can leave your social circle unbalanced and unsatisfying. Bonding with colleagues who share the same professional passions as you, can connect you with others - in ways your church group, sports friends, or fellow 420 enthusiasts - can't.

The Most Surprising Risk Factor for Being "Boredout" at Work

6) Work is Too Challenging. Ever tried to put together furniture from Ikea? Sure, it's challenging for novices to figure out where all the pieces go and in what proper order - to build sustainable furniture that won't collapse upon sitting on it. The problem is, when tasks are so challenging and above some people's skill sets, that they give up on such tasks altogether.

Similarly, the difficulty and repetitiveness of sales jobs cause workers to procrastinate out of frustration and boredom, rather than deal with yet another rejection. What Does Science Say About Overly Challenging Jobs? Research has shown that jobs that are excessively challenging and beyond an individual's skill level can lead to feelings of overwhelm, procrastination, and eventually boredom. When tasks are too difficult, individuals may struggle to make progress, leading to procrastination as a coping mechanism. Over time, this can result in feelings of apathy and disengagement, ultimately leading to boredom in the workplace.

5 Solutions to Mitigate Boreout and Promoting Well-being

• Communication and problem-solving play a crucial role in addressing boreout. Employees experiencing symptoms should openly discuss their challenges with their employers to explore potential adjustments with their workloads and workflows. Perhaps, some boring and repetitive tasks can be shared among the team?

  
  

  Get comfortable in speaking up for yourself. If you won't, who will?

  
  

• Accurate Employee Skill Matching. Employers finding a balance between challenging staff at their appropriate skill levels is crucial for maintaining motivation and engagement in a job.

  
  

• Proper Workload Distribution. Employers need to determine a workload that has an even flow, without too much downtime or repetitive busy work, to better maintain worker focus and stimulation.
  

• Employers Can Foster More Nurturing Environments. When employers create a supportive environment where individuals feel valued and motivated, it can significantly reduce the risk of boreout and enhance overall well-being. Contests, rewards, and other incentives for a job well done go a long way into breaking up the daily tedium of a mundane job.

  
  

• Goal Setting and Providing New Challenges. Engaging with employees about their career trajectories, providing new challenges, and setting interesting goals can reignite enthusiasm and a sense of accomplishment in work.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while burnout and boreout manifest differently, both have serious consequences on individual health and job satisfaction. By acknowledging the presence of boreout and taking proactive steps to combat it, both employees and employers can work towards creating a more stimulating and fulfilling work environment. The absence of intellectual engagement can lead to issues like disinterest, worthlessness, and even depression.

Empowering Through Engagement

To prevent boreout, employers can implement strategies to keep employees motivated and challenged, especially in remote work scenarios. By fostering a culture of growth, learning, and open communication, organizations can mitigate the risks associated with boreout and cultivate a more positive and productive workplace. Employee Emotional Well-Being is Not Optional In the relentless pursuit of productivity and success, it's vital to remember that mental well-being is not a luxury but a necessity. Addressing boreout proactively can lead to increased job satisfaction, higher performance levels, and a healthier work environment for all. Let's strive to create workplaces where creativity, growth, and fulfillment reign supreme.