If you’re feeling bored in your current career situation, you’re not alone! It’s one of the more common causes of dissatisfaction in medicine.

When physicians tell me they’re bored at work, it’s often tinged with guilt or a sense of failure, “I hate to admit this out loud, but I’m bored with my job.” 

Boredom isn’t a failure or anything to feel guilty about. It’s information trying to get your attention.

You might be bored, or at risk for boredom if,

You feel stuck in the same repetitive tasks and routines.

You crave more creativity and/or intellectual stimulation.

Your career feels like it’s going nowhere.  

You feel stagnant and opportunities for growth seem limited.

You believe, “variety is the spice of life.”

Boredom has workplace and personal consequences.

Boredom can decrease workplace engagement, increase the risk of burnout, and adversely impact quality of care.

To alleviate unrecognized boredom, you might procrastinate or distract yourself with activities that are not in line with how you want to spend your time, like overeating, shopping, or scrolling through your social media feed.

How to address boredom.

First make the diagnosis!

Recognize the signs of boredom in yourself.

Give yourself compassion.

Boredom is a symptom, not a character flaw.

Pay extra attention to your work life.

Imagine you’re a 5-year-old walking into work. What can you marvel at, be amused by, or get curious about? Imagine you’re an artist and you want to paint the scene in your office, or write a poem about an interaction with a patient. What are the details you want to include? Curiosity and awe are effective antidotes to boredom.

Bring opportunities for learning into your current role.

For example,

• Talk to your boss about your career goals. Let them know you’re ready for a different challenge (maybe in leadership or administration).
• Volunteer or apply for a leadership or administrative role.
• Help solve a workflow challenge.
• Pursue a side-gig.
• Take a medical mission trip abroad.

Bring opportunities for creativity and play into your personal life

• Pursue an interest outside of medicine, like a hobby or an activity with your kids. Creativity and play are fun ways to alleviate boredom.
• Develop a new skill or area of expertise. For example, join the local Toastmasters to improve public speaking, learn a new language, or take a course)

If you’re someone who needs variety, consider a portfolio career that allows you to pursue multiple different areas of interest and income streams.

Final Words.

Boredom isn’t necessarily a signal it’s time to leave clinical medicine.

But if it goes unaddressed, it may lead to burnout and dissatisfaction.

If you’re feeling bored, recognize you’re not alone. Remember, curiosity, awe, and creativity are effective antidotes. Look at where you can add a challenge or learn something new. If your personality loves variety, consider a portfolio career.