11 ways to make your job more interesting

Occasionally professionals may experience moments when work is not moving like a wave. Even a dream job may appear less dreamy, boring, or repetitive. This could be at various times throughout the year - after a holiday, during summer, lengthy career or at other times and for other reasons. Re-lighting that passion may increase job satisfaction and make your role more interesting. Here are 11 ways to make your job more interesting.

1. Attending lunch and learn sessions.

Some workplaces may offer lunch and learn sessions and allow for learning new topics. This could be an option to learn something new, network, socialise and learn more about the organisation. Typically, this is organised during lunch hours. The sessions could be on diverse topics and attended by different people from the organisation. Occasionally breaking the workday routine could allow for a breadth of fresh air and re-energise the workday or week.

2. Upskilling: optional additional internal training

Often professionals enrol in optional or compulsory additional training at work. Optional training could be on variety of topics and often on areas related to the profession. Learning new skills and improving knowledge in a chosen field may re-lit that passion once again. Potentially this could allow for taking on different, varied or more interesting work or having an ability to tackle problems with the newly acquired knowledge. Enrolling in optional and additional training and learning may increase the possibility to learn more about your profession and start to enjoy the role more.

3. Secondment - internal / external

Taking on a secondment within the organisation could allow for a breadth of fresh air and learning more about different areas for a specific period. Meeting new people and taking a step back from the current work to return with enhanced viewpoints, skills, or energy.

Another idea is taking on an external secondment with another organisation. If the company allows for this option, you can potentially experience the same role but in a different environment or organisations.

4. Diversifying the workload and activities in a day / week

Breaking the workday routine with varied work is also another idea. Depending on work style and preferences it could be an option to block time for different work. Depending on what you do and if this is possible, mixing the work tasks may diversify the workday or week. This is not multitasking but working on different work, scheduling time for alternative work and switching projects.

5. Taking a sabbatical

A sabbatical is an interesting idea if allowed and supported in a company. The possibility is that after a certain period an organisation may allow for a sabbatical. An extended leave to pursue long term travel or other personal projects and ideas. An extended leave may allow for personal reflection or working and pursuing other activities. Coming back with a fresh perspective and new view of your role and the day to day.

6. Career goals for a specific period

Setting career goals for a specific period could be another option. If a role becomes boring or not interesting, setting career goals is a feasible way to create objectives and steps to re-invigorate the passion. Things you could achieve professionally for the next six months, twelve months, or another period. A promotion, completing a new project, gaining unique experience, or something else professionally.

7. Pursuing a new hobby or activities

Sometimes pursuing activities outside of work could be reenergising and rejuvenating. Going to a theatre, art exhibitions, fitness, cooking classes or other activities you enjoy. Breaking work with personal activities could rejuvenate the work week and spark new energy in the day to day.

8. Networking or getting to know colleagues and their work.

Sometimes networking or speaking with colleagues could make work more interesting. Sharing ideas, communicating, or going for a lunch could give a new perspective in the day or the work week. Potentially if you work in the same field, you can gain new perspectives and reignite the passion for the profession and the work.

9. Asking for advice

Depending on the situation and circumstances you can also consider asking for advice inside the organisation. A colleague, a manager, a more experienced colleague who works in the same field or someone who may offer advice.

10. Tracking your progress or achievements

Often it could be easy to forget what you have done so far and how much you achieved in terms of:

Career; Knowledge; Development; Clients served.; Revenue generated.; Awards won.

Or something else that is relevant in your role.

Tracking important milestones and achievements is a straightforward way to remember that the role is indeed interesting, and things are happening.

11. Organising the Christmas party or other social activities

Sometimes organising a social activity or getting involved more could create stronger bonds or perhaps allow for additional socialising and getting to know the organisation, colleagues, and their work.