You’ve taken on new projects. You’ve gone above and beyond. You’ve talked to your boss about additional responsibilities and gotten the old “definitely—once we have a position open/more budget/don’t need you to focus on X anymore.”
Frankly, you’re bored with your job.
And while sometimes, that’s a sign that you should hightail it out of there, others it’s a matter of keeping yourself moving forward (and not gouging your eyes out) until the next busy season, new client, or promotion comes along.
If you’re in that boat, you’re in luck: Here’s a roundup of things you can do in the office or during off-hours to up your professional game, even when your current job isn’t exactly doing it for you.
If You Want to Network
1. Start a Book Group
Pick inspirational books that’re related to your field—or a general business read that everyone can get some use out of, like something from the 99U book series or Good to Great. A great cadence is once per month—take over a conference room for your lunch hour or, better yet, meet for happy hour and chat at a bar.
2. Create a Networking Group
Have a few friends in your field you see from time to time at industry events? See if they’d all want to get together every month for an informal networking group, where you all meet to chat (and get advice!) about challenges you’re facing.
3. Go on Lunch Dates
Ever heard of “Let’s Lunch?” It’s a (free!) online network that matches you up with someone in your area for lunch during the workweek. Connect your LinkedIn profile, provide your availability and geographic flexibility, and the site’s algorithm matches you up with a like-minded lunch partner. It’s a great way to grow your network utilizing the free time that’s already built into your day.
4. Ask a Co-worker to Join You
Go out to lunch with a co-worker you don’t know well. Not only will you get to know someone new, you’ll learn more about how your company operates—and potentially find new ways to collaborate and get involved.
5. Start a Lunch Club
Grab four other officemates, and assign everyone a day to bring enough lunch for everyone else on a specified day of the week. Cook once, get delicious meals (and team bonding) all five days!
6. Start the Company Softball League
Or frisbee team. Or 5K for charity. Showing some initiative to get everyone out of the office and hanging out with each other on a non-work basis will show the higher-ups you have what it takes to shine in the office, too.
7. Build Your LinkedIn Following
One expert suggests we should be using LinkedIn more like Twitter—finding and engaging with as many followers as possible.
So, start building your network. Here are a few more things you can do on LinkedIn every month, week, and day.
If You Want to Boost Your Skills
8. Try Morning Pages
Start every day with 15 minutes of creative writing. Entrepreneur Chris Winfield says it has “become an essential way to clear his mind, unleash creative ideas, and quiet his inner critic, reducing his anxiety.”
9. Start a Blog
It can be a place for you to write about happenings in your field, share thoughts on pop culture, or even pursue a hobby—just be clear on what your purpose is and who you want to read it.
Then, get started by making a long list of topics you could potentially write about. Commit to pushing something out at least once a week to keep your (obviously avid) followers engaged.
Here’s your guide to making it happen.
10. Or a Podcast
Blogging not for you? Start a podcast. Better yet, invite industry leaders to be interviewed on your podcast. You’re boosting your personal brand and your professional network at once!
11. Write an Article
Then, try to get it published on an industry website or LinkedIn. You’ll hone a new skill—writing and researching—and you’ll start to build your name as a thought leader in your space.
Here’s the perfect template for writing a LinkedIn article.
12. Get Your Voice Heard
Look for an upcoming conference or event you could speak at, and pitch yourself as a panel speaker or leader. Here’s exactly how to do it.
13. Look for Hidden Benefits
Browse your company’s benefits page, and make sure you’re taking advantage of all of them. Many companies offer free financial planning services, a professional development budget, or even sabbaticals or trips to other offices. Hey, if it’s cool with HR, it’s bound to be cool with your boss.
14. Learn to Code
No, really—it’ll boost your career no matter what you do (take it from us). Here are 10 free classes to get you started.
15. Or, Learn Something Else
Pick a class, any class—here are 10 you can start and finish this week.
16. Or, Teach Something
Consider developing live or online courses, workshops, or seminars in your areas of expertise. (Platforms like Skillshare make it easy to share what you know.)
17. Build a Personal Website
No matter what field you’re in, it’s a great idea. We have a seven-day plan that makes it super easy, and at the end of it all you’ll have an online presence that shows off who you are and displays your best work.
If You Want to Make Your Office Happier
18. Revamp Your Cubicle
It’s amazing what some fresh photos, some non-fluorescent lighting, and some organization can do for your inspiration (not to mention sanity). Here are a few ideas to get you started.
19. Fix Something
Look for a process, procedure, or meeting that everyone grumbles about, and think of one or two ways to improve upon it. Put together a plan, present it to your boss, and see if you can be the one who turns it into action.
20. Teach the Group
Offer to research and present on something to your team—whether it’s socially responsible business practices or a new project management tool.
21. Launch a Brown Bag Program
Once a month, invite cool speakers in to chat with your team about something in your field.
22. Mentor a Junior Employee
Look to see if your company has an official program you can participate in, or just look for younger co-workers who you could take under your wing.
23. Make a List
Create a list of resources you find helpful, sites you love to read, the best conferences or classes in your field, or anything else you think your co-workers might find useful, and send it out to everyone on your team. Here are 16 more list ideas to get you brainstorming.
24. Ask for a New Employee
If you don’t already have one, come up with a proposal for getting an intern or other direct report. Having someone to take some work off your plate can open up space for you to work on more inspiring projects—and having someone to mentor can be a great growth experience.
25. Create a Client Survey
Ask your customers and potential customers key questions that could help you better serve them (as well as for their general feedback). At minimum, you’ll get some helpful guidance for future sales or initiatives, and you’ll probably look like a star while you’re at it.
If You Want to Get Out of the Office
26. Plan a Trip
Research shows that just the act of planning a trip makes you happier, as you’re anticipating what’s to come. While we don’t recommend doing the actual planning on company time, daydreaming about your destination will certainly make the day go by faster.
27. Plan a Fundraiser
Or, otherwise get involved in a cause you care about. Bonus: It’s a great way to network—reach out to people you haven’t talked to in a while or think are interesting with an invite.
28. Do Something Totally Unrelated to Your Job
Take a bartending class, sign up for a half-marathon, get SCUBA certified. While it might not have anything to do with your job, you’ll definitely be more inspired in your off hours, and that’ll give your life inspiration an overall boost.
29. Learn a New Language
Along similar lines, even if you don’t speak Spanish or German at work, speaking and reading in a new language can get your brain thinking in totally new ways. (Here are five fun ways to give it a whirl.)
If You Want Something Totally New
30. Take on a Side Project
Start that funny Tumblr you’ve always wanted to, sell your wares as a consultant in your field, or open an Etsy store. It’ll give you a good challenge outside of your day job—not to mention some cold, hard cash. (Here’s how to set it up in 24 hours.)
31. Go Pro Bono
Use some of your free time to do some work for a nonprofit or early-stage startup with a mission that you’re really excited about. This will give you a chance to grow your skills (or potentially learn new ones) and remind you why you loved your work in the first place—plus, it could even turn into an exciting, full-time opportunity down the line.
32. Get a New Job
If you’ve tried everything and are still bored at your current gig, it’s probably time to look for a new one. Start making a list of your favorite companies, polishing up your resume, and getting some informational interviews on the calendar. On that note:
33. Take a Day Off
Hey, if you’re bored at work, you can probably afford it. Try this one-day, 10-hour plan to totally kick start your job search on a day off.