Not Enough to Do at Work: 10 Ways to Stay Motivated

There would come a time when you don't have enough to do at the office. Whether you become too good for your position or circumstances put you (and your colleagues) at a disadvantage, you have no other choice but to stay motivated. And it's a real struggle.

This is not uncommon in a professional world, no different from an employee who is struggling to be enthusiastic about a job for five years or more. (A professional's civil status is hardly a factor here.) You must take a risk, which is not an option at all. It may not be a sensible thing, as you insist that you still like what you're doing. It's an encouraging thing (to hear), yet you would notice the negative impact sooner or later. It doesn't matter if your energetic side didn't waver all these years or aging would prompt you to let your younger (and more ambitious) workmates pass you. It must be resolved right away.

Look at this situation as a golden opportunity.

How to Make the Most Out of This Chance

Meet your neighbors. If this is not a serious problem, then you might need an outlet. Your neighborhood might have a social gathering every weekend, if not a weeknight. It should help you to forget about the office, as you reconnect with people who live next door. It's a shame that you don't have the time to know them, but there won't be any excuses anymore.

Revisit your hobby (or hobbies). You want a distraction, and your hobby should provide you with a good excuse. You don't have to be obsessed about it unless you're thinking of turning into another source of income. You should talk about it to your HR (if you're allowed to do such a thing). Make sure that it won't affect your work schedule.

Learn a new skill. This may put you in dilemma, if not conflict with your work. Then again, you would suffer if you don't consider this course. You can ask your HR, if not your boss, about training course(s), and if it's possible to enroll in it. Take a stock of what you have learned during your tenure in the company, and what you must do to be better. In this regard, you should imagine yourself working in another company, but in the same industry. There's nothing wrong about it, as you're not contemplating resignation.

Think of positive thoughts. This should be beneficial to you when your company would undergo an organizational change. There would be a downside, which the lower ranks should feel right away. If you're one of those people, then don't feel bad about it. Nothing is permanent. Perseverance should help you overcome the negative feelings.

Go to the gym. If you're having trouble with keeping up with a positive mindset, then go to the gym. Getting fit may not be a challenging task at first, but becoming consistent about it might be the ultimate challenge. The solution may be found in the next item.

Rejoice on your minor achievements. You need to be proud of having to finish minor tasks, as it can be a confidence booster. It should make you feel good about your chances of doing the required tasks on a particular working day. Don't ever do all of it, as it can wear you down.

Catch up on your reading. Communication is a vital component in business. If you're serious about improving on your written (or oral) skill, then read a book. It would be better if you choose a genre that you fancy, if not an author whom you look up to. This should keep you glued to your seats (and the book) during the brief, idle moments.

Ask around and see if anyone needs help. Your workmates would like you.

Walk around every hour or two. Being under worked can be stressful as being overworked. It's your employer's responsibility, and you must not get to that stage when you're losing patience (and have the urge to snap at your colleague). Exercising does wonder, even if it's only a small amount of time.

Write to your long-lost friends. They might be missing you, and you should be the first to reach out.

A Case of Downsizing

You must not be shocked if you think that the company is about to undergo downsizing, if not redundancy. It’s not uncommon in the professional world, and it’s not hard to notice the signs. (This is the reason why it’s not right to be too absorbed on one’s work.) No one forbids you to talk to your colleague about it, but don’t do it during working hours. It won’t help if you keep on talking about it, as you have one more option.

If all the above doesn’t motivate you, then you must assess your skills one more time. Look at your resume, and see what updates must be need to make. It may be high time to look for opportunities.