Drop the Boring Routine and Start Excelling!

What’s another way to spell “boring”?

R-O-U-T-I-N-E.

When you work a typical 9-to-5 job, a certain amount of routine is necessary. After all, certain meetings must be attended. Things like status reports and QC checks need to be completed. Schedules have to be adhered to and deadlines must be met.

Structure like this keeps work moving forward in your organization.

If your work becomes too habitual or comfortable, however, you may be proficient in your job – but you probably aren’t making any real progress. To avoid the pitfalls of complacency, drop those boring and unnecessary routines. Use these tips from PrideStaff to shake things up and start excelling in your job:

Skip the screen time.

Are you the type who dives straight into your email or texts first thing? Try putting those screens on hold for a bit. Use the first 15 minutes of your day to be proactive, prioritizing and planning your activities. Then, use what you find in your Inbox, voicemail, etc. to adjust your To Do list. You’ll be more intentional and focused – and a lot less frantic.

Be an anti-procrastinator.

Block-off time early in the day for tackling your top priorities, and, yes, your most unpleasant (yet essential) tasks.

Find tools you never knew you needed.

Whether it’s a file-hosting service like Dropbox or a simple keyboard shortcut, new work tools can greatly improve your efficiency. Spend a few minutes each week investigating better ways to get work done.

Clean your work space.

Every day! A cluttered space = a cluttered mind. That’s no way to get ahead. Devote just 5 minutes per day to keeping your space organized, and you’ll see long-term gains in focus and efficiency.

Schedule career-planning time.

It’s easy to get stuck in a career rut when you don’t have a clear plan for growth. Carve out time at least once a month to take stock of your accomplishments, record the new skills you’ve acquired and revisit (and revise, if necessary) your career goals. By adding this new habit to your monthly routine, you’ll stay on track and keep moving forward.

Partner with a recruiter.

If you feel stuck at work, PrideStaff can help you get out of a boring job. Our expert recruiters can assess your skills, interests and goals, and then present direct job opportunities that offer the challenge and growth you want. Search jobs or register with your local PrideStaff office.