11 Ways to Beat Boredom at Work

You’re probably at work while you’re reading this.

Taking some time out of your busy day to read the blogs? What are you, bored or something?

There was recently and article on msn called “10 Careers to Avoid Boredom.” Hmm, nice try, msn. But I’m not buying it.

Work: More fun than a trip to Disney World!

Everyone gets bored at work.

I don’t care what you do. You could be a roller coaster tester. You could be a shoe buyer for a fancy department store. You could be the guy who oils up the swim suit models before the photo shoot.

Doesn’t matter. You’ll still get bored.

I have a friend who ran the teen camp on a cruise ship. That’s right: She got to meet new people. Try out new cuisines. Travel around Europe. Europe!

But she also had to arrange the same events every week. Live in a room roughly the size of a jail cell–with another person. And dance the Cupid Shuffle. Over and over again.

While I really had no sympathy for her when she talked of the downsides of gallivanting around Europe while I was chained to my cubicle, I could relate.

Work, no matter what you do, becomes monotonous. It’s never all fun, all the time. That’s why it’s called work. (Duh.)

But, before we all go throw ourselves over the sides of our proverbial cruise ships, fear not. There are ways to break up a day at the office. Here’s my list.

Ways to Avoid Boredom at Work

11. Go for a walk. The fresh air will clear your head.

10. Bring in some dolls (oh, excuse me, action figures) to decorate your cubicle. Then have conversations with them throughout the day.

9. Have a to-do list of your tasks. Make a competition with yourself about how many tasks you can complete before lunch. Try to break your morning record before you leave for the day.

8. Wheelie chair races!

7. Take a stroll to the water cooler and catch up on some office gossip. Or talk about the latest episode of The Office. Or your thoughts on the Balloon Boy. Or how dreamy you think Robert Pattison is. Whatever. As long as it’s not the TPS report you’re working on.

6. Stand outside the restroom and yell, “Boo!” Any time anyone comes out.

5. Take a break, and read up on your favorite blogs. You’re doing a good job already by reading this one, so keep it up! Give your mind a little break, then get back to the grind. But, somehow, it won’t seem as bad anymore.

4. Start talking about yourself in the third person, and tell your coworker about everything you have on your plate for the day. (Just don’t do that with me, please. Jessica doesn’t like it.)

3. Take a trip to Starbucks or some other out-of-the-office shop, and treat yourself to something decadent as a reward after you’ve completed a task.

2. Call someone on your team (who’s in the office). Tell him you know what he’s wearing. Then tell him, “The call’s coming from inside the building!” Don’t forget the maniacal laughter.

1. Three words: slip and slide. Seriously, how awesome would that be?

What are some things you can suggest for people to do to beat the boredom at work?