While Russian economists are looking for a way to increase labor productivity in the country (in terms of its level we are noticeably lagging behind almost all countries in Europe and Asia), American psychologists seem to have been able to explain one of the reasons for the rapid drop in this indicator. And the reason is boredom.

No matter how trivial and pseudoscientific this conclusion may seem, nevertheless, multiple studies have shown that it is the boredom that overwhelms both ordinary workers and highly qualified professionals that can lead to the disruption of plans and projects, the cancellation of transactions, meetings and important negotiations, the shifting of cases. less competent workers and even industrial sabotage. These observations made American HR professionals wonder: Is boredom worse than stress?

- As soon as a person gets bored at work, he “turns off” from the work process partially or completely, that is, as if forgets about what and how he should do, - says neuropsychologist Richard Chaifetz specializing in HR and motivation programs... - The consequences of this can be literally disastrous. From a drop in overall performance to critical errors and even accidents.

Happiness is not in bonuses

According to a 2011 Gallup study, 71% of working Americans had little or no interest in their jobs. At the same time, the least labor enthusiasm was demonstrated by people with higher education, between the ages of 35 and 50.

- The issue of motivation in this case is quite controversial, because the main thing is that a person does what he loves, - says Chief Editor of the Rabota.ru portal Alexandra Gross... - No insurance or additional food - in general, no, even the most super-sophisticated social package - will not "cover" you the damage from the fact that you are doing what, in fact, hate. I myself had to deal with job seekers who worked in very high-paying positions, but at the same time felt deeply unhappy people and dreamed of leaving somewhere.

Research conducted by employees High school business at the University of Arizona (ASU) have also shown that money and material bonuses have little or no effect on employee engagement. As told in an interview with Forbes ASU professor Angelo Kinicki, pathological boredom can overcome absolutely any employee, regardless of his position, competence, size personal account or salary. Basically, the reasons are as follows:

- Firstly, these people do not see the meaning and any ultimate goal of what they do, - says Kinicki, - and secondly, their daily duties are too monotonous. The constant repetition of the same thing introduces a person into a state of dullness and apathy - even if he is a taxi driver, as general manager.

Another "killer" of enthusiasm is, oddly enough, excessive freedom and lack of control. According to Kinitski, when an employee feels a complete lack of attention from his superiors - both to his mistakes and to his exploits - he is less and less afraid to allow the first and less and less tries to do the second, that is, he works "slipshod".

- The relationship in the team - both between employees and with the management - is one of the most important motivating factors, - says Alexandra Gross. - According to our survey, this factor is somewhere in the first five out of 25-30 such factors, so the attention from the groans of the bosses and good, comfortable communication with colleagues, often become the only thing that actually makes people work.

Chained to chairs

Among other things, each employee should be aware of their importance for the team and for the company, adds Kinicki. If the enterprise operates according to the principle of "there are no irreplaceable", the interest and, as it is fashionable to say now, the "corporate spirit" of the team will slowly but surely tend to zero.

“You have to understand that if a person is bored at work, this does not mean at all that he has nothing to do,” explains Chaifetz. - You can get bored also from the fact that your work is too easy or too “mechanical”. Lack of difficult tasks in the same way leads to a drop in "involvement", as well as excessive workload (in the case of increased stress or "burnout".

- The saddest thing is that even best employees- who, in my memory, have always been full of strength and enthusiasm - gradually come to disappointment and boredom due to the financial crisis, - says

Mark Royal, CEO of Hay Group and author of The Enemy of Enthusiasm

... - Changing and looking for a job is becoming an increasingly risky business in an unstable economy, so many are forced to sit in a hated place simply for fear of being unemployed. Naturally, this leads to a feeling of hopelessness and helplessness - what kind of work enthusiasm is there?

However, the situation on Russian market Labor looks very different, says Gross. According to the expert, the most difficult times of crisis are over, which means there is no need to be afraid; and most importantly, you don’t need to voluntarily make yourself a hostage to work you hate and not interesting.

- Today in Russia there is a candidate market. And it did not come even last year, but probably at the end of 2010. This means that people are not at all afraid to enter the market; they just do not quit, but continue to work and at the same time constantly look out for other options for themselves. The fact that their resumes cannot be found on recruiting portals or in the databases of applicants does not mean at all that they are not looking for a new place for themselves, says Gross. - They are open, they know that there are other opportunities, you just need to make at least some effort to find them.

Alena Vladimirskaya, founder of the PRUFFI recruitment agency in Runet:

- There is a widespread opinion that the job should be changed every 3 years. Personally, I believe that work should be changed when you feel an inner readiness for it. Usually, this comes when you have grown to a career impasse that you either cannot or don’t want to overcome in your current company. However, for a start, I would advise you to contact your immediate supervisor and say that you see yourself in such and such a position in six months. More often than not, employees leave because their bosses have no idea that they want to grow somewhere.

A considerable number of people today sit in offices all day. And, as a rule, this is a routine, monotonous and rather boring job. And being bored at work is not only unpleasant, but also harmful, because it has been proven that constant boredom at the workplace can lead to clinical depression. Therefore, we begin to figure out what to do at work when it’s completely boring or when we have free time.

Nothing to do at work

A lot of working people are faced with this. The reason is improper planning of workplaces by the management, incorrect distribution of duties or work intensity over time. Less often, the reason for the absence of an occupation is the specificity of the job.

If you feel like you have nothing to do at work, think about it again. Perhaps you can make some suggestions and discuss them with your superiors. For example, it can be proposals for improving the work, creating a working group on a topical issue.

An excellent solution is to look for additional employment. If it so happens that most of your work time is boring and you have nothing to do, take additional work... And you will solve the problem, and the bosses will surely appreciate it.

What if you get bored at work?

It also happens that the options already listed are impossible. In this case, we are looking for an occupation that has nothing to do with work. There are many options: self-education, additional part-time work, entertainment, and even gymnastics or self-care.

“I don’t do anything at work” is a popular phrase that often describes the virtues of the workplace. In fact, there is nothing to be proud of here. So much time is wasted. Modern technologies and the widespread use of Internet networks makes it possible to even receive additional education without leaving the workplace.

For example, you can take formal courses in distance learning programs. Or do self-study questions of interest. We have dreamed of learning Spanish for a long time - even an hour a day will make you a connoisseur every day.

What else can you do at work if it's really boring? Make it as fun as possible. If you are working alongside other employees and they are bored too, help each other. Think of something that will add a playful element to your daily routine. For example, transfer information to each other in ciphers and codes. It is both fun and develops intelligence.

If bosses are loyal to discipline in the workplace and encourage fun, then the question of what to do at work should not be a problem at all. If the team is young and not conservative, sometimes arrange the craziest antics. For example, play your own domino principle. Many interesting ideas can be taken from a variety of videos on the internet.

What to do in a boring job if you still have a job?

If you still have work to do, but there is no desire and mood to fulfill them, then everything can be corrected. Often the reason is not in the work itself, but in the organization of the workplace. Clean up your desk, get rid of all unnecessary things. Throw away everything that is tired. If that doesn't work, start decorating. Add bright juicy colors: stickers, small stationery. These are small things, but they will cheer you up, and it will not be so boring.

Not used to wasting time? Do gymnastics right in the workplace. An example of one very effective exercise... To make your butt beautiful and fit without getting up from your chair, tighten your gluteal muscles. Start with ten reps per set and gradually increase the load.

Another option for what you can do profitably at work is keep a home budget. It's simple and very helpful. As a rule, after work or on weekends, there is no energy left for this. But in your free time at work, if there is a lot of it, you can do it. Plan expenses, analyze expenses, look for ways to increase income.

It happens that there is stagnation at work. There is no work, or I somehow completed all the work planned for today very quickly, and there is still more than enough time until the end of the working day. And now the question arises - what to do at work? You can't just get up and leave, because you have a normalized working day. To sit frankly and do nothing - conscience does not allow, because all around people are working, andit's boring at workthis is. So what to do in this case?

In fact, there are many options for how you could occupy your time when there is nothing to do at work.

The most useful isself-education... You can self-study by purchasing some educational materials... Fortunately, today's market provides a variety of literature in any area. And it doesn't matter what it will be - a simplified accounting course or learning a foreign language. Any subject you choose and mastered will only give you more value in the eyes of any employer (and in the future, perhaps, it will help you achieve significant success, or, at least, a solid increase in your salary).

If you want to build your credibility or increase your popularity (positive) rating among your colleagues, then you can help them sort out their own affairs. This, of course, is fraught with the fact that they can sit on your head and take it for granted, so here you need to act skillfully and immediately make it clear that your desire to help is caused, in addition to the desire, by an abundance of free time (or, rather, by your ability very quickly and efficiently cope with their tasks), which in the future, most likely, is not foreseen, so this help is one-time.

And if the work allows, you can easily begin to carry out the work planned for the near future (preparation of new contracts, for example). Or organize and put in proper form your workplace and documents. You can start looking for clients if your occupation involves doing this business.

If you are a creative person, you can start writing your own book. It is unlikely that it will come to its publication and publication, but for their descendants it will be no less valuable than the "Notes of a Hunter".

If you are not completely satisfied with the payment of your labor, then great option for you - a part-time job. There are countless proposals related to remote work (or piecework), which you can do right from your work chair (of course, if you have free time). For example, if you are friends with foreign languages, you can undertake translations or control works in a foreign language that you speak.

The classic version of doing nothing (useful, by the way) is reading. Not necessarily professional literature, take the classics, because what could be better than re-reading the good old Stendhal or Pushkin? Enhance yourself in your own eyes.

If you have not yet learned this, be sure to engage in self-study of the blind method of typing on the keyboard (if you have a computer). This will increase your productivity, and it looks stunning from the outside. Immediately inspires professionalism. Teaching diagonal reading can be added to this point. Of course, it is not worth reading serious literature in this way, but if you need to quickly scan large volumes of documents or grasp the general meaning, then this knowledge will be irreplaceable.

If you are a family person, you can start compiling and organizing family accounting (counting family budget, simply put). The thing is necessary and useful. Indeed, with the help of this simple science, you can reduce your costs. And as they say, rich in the one who has a lot of money, and the one who has enough. If this does not give in to you, you can draw up a menu for a week in advance - this will save you time in the future, you will not have to sit at home and puzzle over how to feed your family.

Gymnastics at work.

Well, the most useful activity for anyone is of courseexercise at work... You don't have to do it in such a way that you build a lot of muscles. Just a couple of exercises are enough to simply keep your body in good shape. This remedy for boredom is especially indispensable for people who have a sedentary job (at a computer or at papers). As some pointers, here are some tips:

Remember your posture, don't slouch.

In order to make your ass beautiful and elastic, while sitting, without getting up from a chair, strain your gluteal muscles. Start with low reps, gradually working up to 100.

In order not to numb the neck, periodically train it with the help of bends in different directions, circular rotation. By the way, if you want to get rid of a double chin, you must strain not only the muscles of the neck, but also the mouth. So, to strengthen this type of muscle, you must pronounce the sounds (I-O-O-S) tensely.

Perform all exercises not in an intensive mode, but in a calm, moderate mode, otherwise you will sweat quickly, and not everyone at work has the opportunity to change clothes and take a shower.

If you have the opportunity to bring some gym equipment with you to work, that will be great. Start with a fitball exercise. This will strengthen the muscles in your back and glutes.

Another good and not bulky gymnastic apparatus is dumbbells (or something adapted for dumbbells, for example, liter plastic bottles with water). They will strengthen the muscles in your arms, chest, and some part of your back.

The usual rotations of the body, first to the left, then to the right, as well as tilting the body back and forth, then in a circle, will also have a good effect on the general condition.

Finish your exercise with eye gymnastics. All of us at school did simple exercises - look in shifts to the left, then to the right, then up, then down, make a figure eight with our eyes, circular movements, close our eyes tightly and open them wide. Each movement must be repeated several times. In the end, just sit a little with your eyes closed.

All of these exercises will help you stay alert and efficient throughout the day.

What to do at work when there is nothing to do? Oh, this question is surely troubling the minds of many people. It often happens that there is simply nothing to do at work or at home. We are sitting in front of the TV, the computer monitor, staring at them with blank eyes, thinking about something incomprehensible.

Introduction

You can enthusiastically do the same thing for several days in a row. For example, download a computer toy that will really addictive to you. However, a couple of days pass, the game seems not so interesting anymore, and then sadness rolls over. I don't want to do absolutely anything. Worse if it happens in the office. So what to do at work when there is nothing to do? Let's try to answer this question.

Paradox

Perhaps this should initially sound contradictory. It would seem how? After all, you are at work, you should be engaged in it, and not look for some alternative options! In fact, things are a little different. It is possible that the case has already been agreed with the customer, the report has been submitted, and the meeting has been made. All letters have been reviewed, the necessary answers have been given. There are no clients, but the work schedule has not changed after all. That's why he and the schedule, that everyone should come and go at a certain time.

At such moments, you involuntarily wonder what to do at work when there is nothing to do. How can you pass the time, what to do with your beloved / beloved? First of all, you can think about your future life. And not in the philosophical sense of the word, no. Imagine what you would like to do in the next week, month. You can plan your affairs. In parallel, you can write a list of goals and tasks that you dream of achieving, you want to accomplish in the very near future.

A little about misconceptions

Perhaps to some, this pastime will seem meaningless. However, this is a misconception. Setting goals for yourself will not only be an answer to the question of what to do at work when there is nothing to do. So you will be able to identify the primary path that will need to be passed, and in your free time from work, after a certain period of time, you can think about the intended goals with a fresh mind and decide which of the tasks you really need to accomplish, and what has become just a momentary desire. It turns out a kind of two-in-one mix - business with pleasure. On the one hand, they reduced the time at work, on the other, they outlined what needs to be achieved or what needs to be done.

Schedule and complete tasks continuously

Doing this at work (not to the detriment of herself, of course) can be repeated many times. Repeat, each time note what you really achieved, which of the tasks set in the past times you solved. This will help you start believing in yourself more and more. It will become good example yours without exaggeration endless possibilities that you just need to develop. You just have to believe in what you are doing, and then with each new time you will notice that the old goals, which previously seemed unattainable, have already submitted to you, and the new tasks are as solvable as their predecessors.

2 in 1

In addition, it will be nice to know that you nevertheless found the strength to solve problems, coped with the goals, and achieved what you wanted initially. Thus, you will not only discover new possibilities by believing in own strength, you will become more successful or successful, but you will also be able to distract yourself from the depression that often occurs at such moments. Depression, according to polls of sociologists, is enough common reason why people wonder what to do when there is nothing to do at work or at home.

Earlier it was said about what you can do in the office. But it was about what to do at work when there is nothing to do and there is no Internet. And what can you do if you have one? You can use the browser to watch the new releases that have arrived at the cinema rental. It will be interesting to see concerts performed live by your beloved musical group or singer / songwriter. This will also be useful, because after watching this at work in your free time (we are talking about the repertoire in the cinema or theater), you will no longer have to do it another time, but you can immediately go to the cinema to watch the film of your choice.

Immerse yourself in good memories to motivate yourself to work

All these listed methods are the answer to the question of what to do at work when there is nothing to do. Taking photos will also be good fun. You can see your photos with children, from the events in which you participated. In general, from all pleasant events for you. This will help you immerse yourself in the atmosphere that prevailed before. It is possible that this will also give you an incentive, push you to work.

If you need to buy a particular product in the near future, but you doubt it or choose one of several offers at once, then comparing products at work will be a great way to kill time. This will help you make the most of your time because, like a movie theater, you don't have to do it at home. So, choosing a product for purchase will not only become an answer to the question of what to do when there is nothing to do, but will also save money. How? And the point is this: knowing what exactly is needed in the store, you will not give the consultants a reason to subtly persuade you to buy absolutely unnecessary goods.

Conclusion

Generally speaking, choosing a business to while away your time at work depends on whether you are allowed to use the Internet for personal use in your workplace. If so, then you can devote a little time to your stay without a twinge of conscience. social networks or communicating with a loved one using e-mail.

Using the Internet access, you can solve some personal problems that relate, for example, the need for some household appliances... That time can be devoted to a detailed analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of each model, and then the choice the best option based on this, it was explained earlier.

And what to do at work when there is nothing to do on the Internet? This was also discussed. For example, you can start making a list, which will outline the goals that need to be achieved in a certain near future. Sports people can also consider their training schedule. And hardware lovers who devote their free time to gyms and gyms, fitness clubs and fitness centers can also write for themselves what exercises and how much they would like to perform, outline the dynamics for themselves in classes, think about nutrition and etc. In general, everything is in your hands. It should only be noted that third-party activities in this case should not go to the detriment of work. Otherwise, you may have problems with your superiors. You should go about your business there only if the work was actually done. Otherwise, you should look for motivation to urge you to return to a capable state. But this is already a slightly different topic, so we will not consider it in this article, and the answer to the question of what to do when there is nothing to do at work has been given.

What to do at home when there is nothing to do?

• Hobby. Trivially. It's corny. You've probably already thought about this. But nothing will cheer you up and pass the time like being carried away by your favorite business. Now is the perfect time for things you love that have been put off for a long time.
  - Start painting a picture by numbers? Yes.
  - To embroider a beautiful picture with a cross? Please!
  - Watch a new movie? Hurry to turn it on!

You can even combine several of your favorite activities together.

• Useful things. Getting rid of boredom goes well with doing household chores that have been continually put off until later. Sort the items in the closet, sort the photos for printing, wash the flowers and window sills, etc.
• The beauty. Take care of yourself - soak in the bathroom, apply a sophisticated face mask, or invite a manicurist or masseur to your home.
• Cooking treats. If you enjoy cooking, then it's time to choose a new recipe and delight your family with an exquisite dish. We make a list of products and run to the store!
• Planning. Make a plan for the next week, year, or month. Define goals for yourself and engage in their implementation. If it comes to the end of the year, look at the 365 days lived from the outside. We advise you to read:
• Communication with loved ones. Haven't you seen your grandmother for a long time or have you gossiped with a classmate? Call them and invite them over. While you are waiting for guests, you can bake a cake or pie.
• Music and dancing. If you are bored and have nothing to do, then arrange incendiary dances to your favorite compositions. This activity is not only pleasant, but also useful for the figure. You can dance while you put things in order in the apartment. And if you have Small child asleep, then put on your headphones and Let’s dance!
• Help. Make time for someone who needs help. They can be household members, relatives, or strangers. Go through things, and donate unnecessary clothes in good condition to a charity. Offer to help an animal shelter.

What to do at work when there is nothing to do?

• Plan your vacation. Even if you are just from there. Look at new places on the Internet, calculate how much the trip will cost you. Calculate what you can save on to visit a particular place or visit two cities. Find out about couchsurfing. Make a plan for each day of your stay in a new city.
• Reading of books. For situations when all things are redone, and there is still a lot of time until the end of the working day, have a book of your favorite writer or genre in stock. Don't want to read? Download an audiobook to your phone.
• Painting. If you have sheets and pens with pencils at hand and you have talent, then get creative. When the superiors appear, the accessories can be easily hidden.
• Entertainment on your smartphone or computer. The internet is full of different ways have fun - games, tests, videos, etc. If access to websites is limited at work, then download interesting applications to your phone at home.
• Crosswords. Buy magazines and newspapers with crosswords, sudoku, charades. Solving puzzles helps pass the time and trains the brain.
• Charger. Office workers spend a lot of time sitting, which is bad for their health. Hence laziness, drowsiness and non-work mood. Exercise and warm up every 2 hours - this will relieve boredom and bring the end of the working day closer.

• Snack. Drinking tea with sweets at work is a very pleasant experience and helps to kill 10-15 minutes of time. It is recommended that you make a choice towards healthy and healthy snacks so as not to accumulate a few extra pounds.
• Trainings. Choose the online training you are interested in and improve yourself. At work, this is doubly beneficial - you earn money and gain new knowledge.

What to do outside the home when you're bored?

• Shopping. Many people like shopping and buying things they like or need. You can wander around shopping centers looking for discounts or bargains. But do not forget to first make a list of essential things, it will take another 10-15 minutes.
• Cinema. Why not get acquainted with the latest in the film industry? Invite a friend or visit the hall yourself. In any case, there will be many people around, and you will not feel lonely.
• Walk around the city. Walk along familiar streets, visit landmarks, take pictures of beautiful places. The activity will be even more enjoyable when your favorite soundtracks are played through the headphones.
• Courses. The ideal lesson that allows you to while away not only the current time, but also other boring moments is enrolling in courses. Learn a foreign language, go to fitness, pool, etc.
• A cafe. You can relieve boredom in a cafe with a pleasant design and live music. Try a new dish or simply order a cup of aromatic coffee.
• Attractions. Why not remember your childhood and go to an amusement park? There are many adult attractions to help you relax and unwind.

What to do if you get bored on the road?

• Acquaintance. This option will do to you if you are using public transport. Meeting new people is a great way to while away the time on the road.
• Dream. If you are comfortable sleeping in a sitting position, then sleep. You will get a boost of cheerfulness and will not notice how you arrive at your destination.
• Creation. Take knitting and embroidery with you on the road. Creative work helps out well on a train or plane.
• Movie. Download several films that you have long wanted to watch and you will not notice how time flies by. This is especially true on long trips and flights.
• Dreams. What could be better than driving, looking out the window at the flickering landscapes and dreaming? The road helps well to rethink current events and calm down.
• Acquaintance with the route. If you are going to visit a new city or country, try to find out more about them using the Internet or other resources. Read up on information about attractions and look for new places of interest.
• Observations. Surreptitiously look at people who are in the same vehicle with you. Imagine how they live and where they go. Eavesdrop on someone else's conversation. Write down what you heard in a notebook and use it as a basis for the story.

What to do at the computer when you get bored?

• Earnings. There are many options lurking on the Internet for additional profits. , website development, etc. Choose an activity you like. Do not overlook this option if you do not have the appropriate skills - if necessary, you can find training materials.
• Games. Sites with flash games will save you from boredom, and if you are not impressed by their graphics, then download an interesting and exciting client game. There are tons of free and paid games out there.
• Video communication with loved ones. Call and chat via webcam and skype with friends and family. You will experience a lot of positive impressions, especially if they live far from you.
• Search for a soul mate. There are many dating sites that can help you find a life partner. Fill out the form, and feel free to go in search of him. We advise you to read:
• Entertainment resources. You can find things to do by taking a fascinating journey on the Internet and visiting various sites.

Frivolous activities for two bored people

1. Celebrate a non-circular anniversary of your relationship. Are you together for 3 months and 11 days? The perfect occasion to celebrate. Although 101 days sounds more interesting :)
2. Let the guy put on his makeup.
3. Take a rubber ducks bath.
4. Create a fictional pedigree for your pet.
5. Visit the store and completely renew your look, and then go that way to the cafe.
6. Prepare each other's favorite childhood meals.
7. Go to the movies and pull up your T-shirt when no one is watching.
8. Chat with quotes from books, movies and songs.
9. Take a catalog of clothes or underwear and add tails and horns to the models.
10. Build a tent from available tools and spend the night in it.
11. Have a pillow fight.
12. Take a picture of you making faces and order a mug with the best picture.

Boredom is a state of lack of interest and motivation. Anyone must fight him in a convenient way... You can allow yourself not to do anything for a while to get your thoughts in order. But then come back to a fun and fulfilling life again.