Tips For Getting Out of a Nine-To-Five Rut

Sometimes I find myself at my desk, absent-mindedly staring out the window and asking myself important questions: like how many work emails have I actually sent in my working life? Or exactly how many cups of tea have I made in the office kitchen?

A set routine is incredibly helpful when it comes to planning our time and ticking off tasks but it’s just as easy to get stuck in your ways and feel like your energy plateaus. To combat this stagnant feeling, I have compiled some simple, practical steps to regain energy and motivation within the nine to five. 

Step away from your desk

If you work in an office you’ll only know how easy it is to lunch at your desk and waste away your lunch hour. Don’t get me wrong, I love an ASOS lunchtime browse but getting out of the office for fresh air and a change of scene can help improve concentration and give you some perspective, particularly if it’s been a busy or stressful start to the day.

Even if you aren’t job hunting, keeping your CV up to date is a great way of tracking your skills and progress and reminding you of your own strengths. And if you do then get the itch to apply for a new role, you won’t have to panic about updating your five year old CV against a looming deadline. 

 

Similar to my first point, it’s important to keep your Linkedin profile up to date – or setting one up if you haven’t already done so. LinkedIn is the go-to for networking so there’s no harm showcasing your experience and achievements. Following brands and companies in your industry and beyond is also an easy way to keep up with the latest news and trends.  

 

Whether it’s a blog, a YouTube channel or your very own small business, spending time on a passion project gives you a mental and physical break from your nine to five life. You could be running your own social media account, writing, organising an event or teaching a class, make it something you enjoy so you have a creative outlet alongside your day job.

 

Talk it out

Talk to colleagues (and if you feel comfortable) management or HR about your position (professionally and with realistic expectations). It may feel daunting to ask others to set aside time to talk about your role and career, but if your employer is commited to supporting their staff, they will do so. There’s no harm asking, you may be given more responsibilities or new projects to work on – maybe even opportunities to shadow senior team members or other departments. Even if you’ve been in a role for a few years, don’t assume there is nothing left to learn.

 

These days with so much information at our fingertips there’s really no excuse to stop learning or upskilling. Many employers offer some form of training but if not, there are tonnes of resources online, including many free courses – Coursea is a great example. It may seem overwhelming knowing where to start, especially if you’ve settled into a day job with a fixed routine but if you want to push yourself, pick one thing and set aside some time to dedicate to it.

 

These are just some ways that give me a boost when I feel my motivation wavering. Not only will they allow you to push yourself and continue looking for ways to better your skills, they may also help boost productivity at work. I hope you find them useful too!