Are you feeling a lack of focus, energy, disconnected from your life, job, family, and friends? Perhaps you are feeling a bit negative, cynical, or impatient? These can all be the symptoms and signs of burnout. After all, look at what the last 1 ½ year has been like.
I want to invite you to consider a slightly different perspective on the uncomfortable feelings or symptoms you may be experiencing.
There is no doubt that even the most exciting and rewarding jobs and professions can feel mundane after a while. Although adversities can add a bit of challenge and adrenaline to work, they can easily take the feelings of frustration to another level. Lately, these are very common complaints that educators and people in the health care industry have shared with me.
Putting all the latest adversities aside, what if the challenging feelings you are experiencing is boredom. Yes, the state of feeling bored. I can assure you that I have never met anyone who ever desired or set a goal to feel bored. Quite the opposite, people long to feel engaged, excited, passionate, and invested in their life and work.
So, what is keeping you from feeling alive? And, before you decide to quit your job, leave your partner, or throw it all away, is there anything you can do or add to your current life or work that can resurrect positive feelings?
Sometimes the feeling of boredom is an invitation to grow intellectually, emotionally, spiritually? Sometimes it's a calling to add a different or new dimension to the work you are doing. Often this uncomfortable feeling requires a need to be a bit vulnerable. And as Brene Brown has so eloquently taught us, it is through vulnerability that we grow and carve the path to living a more authentic life.
For many years I worked at a world-renowned health resort advising guests on ways to maximize their stay and, more importantly, on how to set personal intentions--creating experiences that would support achieving the healthiest and most authentic life.
When I first started this new job and career over 30 years ago, it was the most exciting environment and work I had ever had. I was learning something new every day and skillfully imparting that knowledge to dozens of people every week. The work felt so empowering, and as a result, my life changed, and so did many of the individual's lives I touched. But after a while, even the positive impact that I was making became mundane. My soul wanted more. I could have changed direction and left the job, but instead, I decided to pivot a bit and became the department director.
Soon my expertise became even more valuable, and I became a company trainer, teaching and mentoring what I learned. The flexibility I earned was perfect timing because I was simultaneously starting a family. The skills, knowledge, and competency eventually led me to my ultimate passion, this awesome career as a Life Coach. I work with individuals worldwide, helping them clarify intentions and make changes that support living their most authentic life -- frequently doing this work not just with individuals but also in front of large audiences! From here who knows what will evolve? However, I now know that if I start to feel uncomfortable, it is usually a sign of boredom, and it is usually time to assess, grow and pivot.
With this in mind, is it if it is burnout or boredom that you are experiencing? The answer to this question can invite a new sense of awareness, and with right action, you can reengage your soul and ignite passion.
Ask yourself...
Where are you bored in your life?
What are you willing to look at?
What obstacles have you convinced yourself are getting in the way of change?
What options might there be?
Do you need help?
If you try to sweep these feelings under the rug and deny them, a few things are true.
You can't because that discontentment will ooze through your pores and impact other areas of your life, such as your health and relationships.
You'll undoubtedly bring a negative impact to your environment, work, and home.
Often, bored people eventually cause trouble as a way to force change.
Be brave and make the change your soul longs for from a place of power and not a crisis. And if I can help, let me know; I would be happy to offer you a free chat and explore some ideas.