Underload in the job - boreout
It is a topic that has so far been little discussed: under-demanding in the job or also called "boreout". You do your job, but you still have additional contingents. But how does underloading in the job actually express itself - when are you under challenged - and what can you do about it?
Challenging at work is an exception. We pay attention to balance, stress in the job and that we drink enough, have sufficient productivity. But among all these things, one thing is often forgotten: What if it gets “bland” in the job and you feel underwhelmed instead of overwhelmed?
When am I challenged?
From when exactly you are under challenged can of course only everyone decide for themselves. For many, however, it expresses itself in that you can do all the tasks in your sleep and no longer have to make an effort - you only do routine work. But is it really advisable if at some point the professional challenge is completely missing?
What seems like heaven on earth to the outside world can also be hell for the person concerned - even if outsiders may not be able to understand it.
Under-demanding and boredom in the job can be just as stressful and draining on one's own strength as excessive demands and permanent stress. The consequences are similar: dissatisfaction, lack of drive, persistent doubts and the question of whether the current job is really the right one. In particularly dramatic cases, you can Depression occur.
Fortunately, it doesn't have to get this far if you react early and don't let yourself be lulled by the underchallenge. Of course, it is understandable that you may even have felt comfortable at the beginning. Less to do, rest instead of hectic and stress. This may be nice for a few days, but undercommitment should never become permanent.
Don't fall into the misconception that the underload will go away on its own. Inactivity doesn't get you anywhere. It can take many months or even years for your tasks to change so fundamentally that the job is finally fun again and you feel challenged.
If you can no longer bear the underchallenge and finally want to do something, the following tips can be helpful:
Find the open conversation
Job demands are often concealed. Instead of standing up for it, workers try to cover it up so as not to give the boss the wrong impression. A big mistake, because it puts you under even more pressure and makes the situation even more difficult. As soon as you realize that you are underwhelmed, you should therefore start a conversation with your manager.
Only if your boss knows that you want more responsibility or more challenges in the job can he respond. Therefore, not only make it clear that you are underwhelmed, but also try to find a common solution that can be implemented after the conversation.
Analyze the causes
The cause can be as individual as perceived as a challenge in the job. But only if you understand the reasons for your undercommitment can you really tackle the problem at the root and achieve an improvement. Analyze what exactly is boring you about your job, where you would want something different, and what the change might look like.
It is particularly important to differentiate between quantitative and qualitative underchallenge (also called intellectual undercharge). In other words, do you simply not have enough tasks because you are finished too quickly? Or is it the tasks themselves that do not offer enough incentives and, in your opinion, are simply so easy that you immediately switch to the autopilot?
Create a sense of achievement
In addition to sheer boredom, a feeling of being under-challenged in the job often arises from the feeling that you are not really contributing anything and that you have a share in the result. On top of that, the praise goes to a colleague, although you are sure you would have done better - if only you had been given the chance.
It can be helpful if you create a sense of achievement and make yourself so aware that you are an important part of the team and make a decisive contribution to mutual success. This can be achieved, for example, by repeatedly setting yourself small goals. But an understanding of the overall picture of the company is also important. This is how you can see exactly how your work is impacting.
Change employer
In the end, you have little else to do and sometimes it's the only way to escape the underchallenge. If your current employer no longer offers you opportunities and you do not see a chance that it will change in the near future, the best way to finally use your full potential is to switch to another employer.
From the start, be careful not to find yourself in a similar situation in your new job. This can never be guaranteed in advance, but by using the job description and are very attentive in the interview, you already get a pretty good impression of the tasks you will face in the future.
In the event of being underused or underutilized, the problem often lies in the fact that it is not addressed and the reasons for the dissatisfaction are not addressed. The fear that your own job appears to be saving and you lose your job is often too big. It is important to make a clear distinction here: those affected are generally not lazy, but have been slowed down too often in the past and are therefore underwhelmed.
Doing nothing is only fun when you actually have a lot to do.
Noël Coward
