There is always talk of techniques to combat stress, to avoid being overwhelmed and saturated and to be more productive; But the opposite case is not so much talked about, when you don't have enough stress.
Stress is something that in its right measure is beneficial, it gives you energy, keeps you motivated and enthusiastic. Of course, in excess, stress can affect different areas of your life and even be harmful to health. But also the opposite case has consequences, the lack of stress; that can generate frustration, discouragement, demotivation, boredom, apathy, lack of energy…
These are the cases in which you do not have enough workload and you get bored, or when the work is very repetitive and you could do it even with your eyes closed. When there are no challenges in your life and time becomes eternal. In many cases it is temporary, but the problem arises when the situation lengthens; This is when apathy, lack of motivation and reluctance appear. What can you do in these cases? (And before continuing to remind yourself that if you have symptoms of depression or serious self-esteem problems, you need to contact a professional therapist, not a coach). Aim:
Determine the source of your dissatisfaction. Is it work, your life in general, some people you deal with…? Also think about what you lack: fun, getting out of the routine, more work, creativity, putting your talents to use, more challenges… If you don't know what the problem is, you won't be able to solve it.
Find activities that fill you with energy. For a time, observe that activities or people make you feel good and fill you with energy and motivation. Aim to spend more time with them.
Don't overload an area of your life with responsibility. It's easy to fall into the trap that your job (or any other area of your life) has to fill you up completely and supply all your needs and ambitions. Although it would be ideal, it is not realistic to expect that. If there is something your job doesn't cover, look it up in other areas of your life. Maybe a hobby can bring you that dose of risk or fun you need. The point is that your needs, ambitions and values are covered among all areas of your life.
Flee from the comfortable. As I mentioned before, this type of situation can generate apathy that makes it difficult for you to take action to change things and so you enter a vicious circle. Ask yourself from time to time if you have what you need to feel active and energetic or if, on the contrary, you are bored or stagnant; and think of ways to get out of that situation. What could you do to recover energy? Sometimes it is not that the problem is difficult but that you have not stopped to ask yourself the right questions. What can you change to improve your situation?
It changes. If your situation doesn't fill you up, if you feel like you're wasting your days, change something! Stop to think what you need to change that situation and try different things. Do not expect miracles, if you keep doing the same things will not change. You don't have to start with a big change, start with small things if necessary; But get used to change, to always ask yourself if what you do fills you or not and to try new things. No one says it is easy, but if you want a change you have to make the effort.
Although there are many things that are beyond our control, we are responsible for much more than we admit and this is one of those things. If your job or any other area of your life doesn't fill you up and you feel like you lack challenges, change something! Continuing like this is up to you. As I was saying to a client the other day, time will pass no matter what you do and it's up to you to be where you want to be some time from now or continue exactly like now. Where are you going to be?
