But while demanding an adrenaline-packed nine-to-five with brand new experiences every day might not be reasonable, we shouldn’t be accepting absolute monotony at work, either. Feeling like you’re in your own personal Groundhog Day of endless emails, pointless meetings and dreary drudgery is not a path to happiness. Plus, if you’re completely disengaged from what you’re doing, the quality of your work output is likely to dip, too. 

We know this, and yet we all too often find ourselves in this exact cycle of meh-ness. Recognising that pattern is helpful, sure; more important is actually breaking out of it. How do we do that?

“Experiencing a sense of stagnation and frustration in your professional life is a place we can all find ourselves, regardless of the type of industry we work in,” Paolo Gallo, an executive coach and the author of The Seven Games Of Leadership, tells Stylist. “You may feel unmotivated and disengaged or find your tasks have become monotonous and unchallenging, or you might be noticing the dreaded red flags of signs of burnout. You’d rather be at the dentist than at the office. Not good stuff.”

The good news: Gallo says that there are ways to “break free” from the monotony. He breaks down his steps for escaping your work rut ahead. 

Before you can tackle the issues, you need to know what they are, right? That requires sitting down and having a proper think about your current working life. 

“I find it useful to put some time aside to specifically do this, so put it in the diary and turn off your email and social media notifications so you won’t be disturbed,” Gallo advises. “Grab some paper or a journal and begin with asking yourself three questions:

• Do you love what you do?
• What have you learned today? What about in the last six months?
• How have you managed to help others? 

“Write freely without editing your words or self-judgement and when you have finished sit back and reflect. How did you find it? Did it come easily or was it a challenge? Do you love what you do and have you chosen a job based on your passions and talents or what you are good at? Does it reflect your values?

“Are you proud of what you have achieved so far? Are you equally proud of what you have become? Have you invested in your personal development as much as in your career or savings? What about wisdom, the place where knowledge and experience finally meet – do you feel you have gained that?”

“Remember your career is not your job,” Gallo says. “Your job is more focused on short-term goals and/or immediate financial needs, an activity that you do to pay the rent or mortgage. A career is something related to pursuing your passion – a lifelong journey involving a series of jobs and a commitment to personal and professional growth, and is often driven by passion and purpose.

“To keep your professional life buzzing and stay motivated, you need to frequently reassess and re-evaluate your career. Ignore your last salary increase, or if the organisation has promoted your co-worker not you, or if Emma got a corner office and you didn’t. It can be unpleasant, but it doesn’t matter. Instead, ask yourself if your current role allows you to grow as a person, if you love what you do and are learning something new, and if you can help others to build trust and meaningful relationships.”

“Finding your purpose or passion in life can be a deeply rewarding journey,” Gallo tells us. “It’s a process that involves self-discovery [and] exploration, and helps you get out of bed in the morning. 

“Try exploring new things to help invigorate your interests. Ask yourself: what did you enjoy doing as a child or where does your mind wander when you are daydreaming? Be open to trying new activities, hobbies or experiences, as often your passion is also discovered by exploring different avenues. Attend workshops, classes or events and embrace your curiosity and be open-minded. Read books, articles or watch documentaries about topics that intrigue you. Be with people [who] are not like you. Talk to lots of people. Engage in conversations with people who share your interests or those who don’t; you might be surprised what you discover. You will see the world [through] a different lens.”

It might feel like we’re stating the obvious, but it bears repeating: if you’re doing the same old thing day in, day out, it’s going to quickly feel very same-y and, well, old. 

Gallo tells us: “It can be easy to become bored and unmotivated when we stay within our comfort zone. Open the window and look beyond your bubble to see what is out there. Gaining a new perspective on life is very helpful when you are feeling stuck and will help you see with a new clarity. 

“Try volunteering with causes and communities that align with your values and interests. It gives you the opportunity to use your skills and time to benefit others, which can be highly rewarding, and you’ll learn skills valuable for your personal and professional growth.”

Don’t panic if your immediate thought is that there’s no way you have time to volunteer. Instead, consciously focus on change. Is there a project you can get involved in at work? A new skill you could start to develop? Newness is key here. 

A little boredom at work is fine (does anyone really get excited about spreadsheets?), but if your entire job feels tinged in grey, this could be a sign that more drastic change is needed. Might it be time for a job change? Or even an entire career pivot?

This kind of change can feel scary. Gallo advises starting a detailed plan with actionable steps to work towards something different. What’s one thing you can do right now to get a little closer to the type of work you’d really like to be doing?

“Break down your goals into smaller, manageable tasks,” he advises. “Having a plan will keep you focused and motivated. Set clear goals and make them specific and achievable and regularly evaluate your progress and adjust as needed and celebrate your accomplishments along the way. These small victories will provide motivation and build your confidence.

“Remember, your professional journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Embrace the challenge of reigniting your enthusiasm, and you may just discover that there’s much more to your career than you initially thought.”

Paolo Gallo is a high-profile keynote speaker, executive coach and author of The Seven Games of Leadership – Navigating the Inner Journey of Leaders (Bloomsbury Business, £16.99)

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