Bringing boreout into discussion

We all know what burnout is and why it’s bad but we also need to shine the light on another phenomenon that is just as common. It’s when people are jaded or boreout with their work. 

Brokers are often jaded about the long hours and the amount of paperwork they must do. Some tasks even seem pointless and devoid of value (Help!).

You need to be aware and address this issue as soon as possible because failing to do so can have ramifications. The feeling could sprout like a seed and grow into a jungle of tangled vines over a prolonged period and next thing you know, you’re having a crisis of meaning in your job. 

First let’s go into the deep to understand the meaning of work. 

The meaning of work

We all have been moulded and shaped by society and groomed for the workforce ever since we were little but no one ever really talks about what it’s all for. 

People from all walks of life have pondered the meaning of work and the nature of the universe. The better we understand about the world, the better we understand how we fit in that world. 

Most people in this world have jobs they attend to. Society utilises each other’s abilities to advance together since humans don’t work well alone. It’s part of life whether you’re a boss or an employee. A job is simply a representation of responsibility. Each person is working and contributing to the greater good. And being part of something greater than yourself is happiness on its own. 

Work keeps you fed and watered and it’s literally the cornerstone of life. What is even more exciting and empowering than ever is the fact that you are in charge of yourself and your actual life. So you can choose to sell your car, burn your life savings and disappear into the Australian wilderness or regain your sense of purpose and add meanings to your work.  

Even though the work itself would not be all that exciting, other aspects of your work, such as having good relationships with customers, helping solve their problems, can bring meaning to tedious work. 

People who have been in the industry for a while often have to rediscover the enthusiasm for their work, take on tasks that are more interesting to them such as networking or looking after clients. And people who just started out would require finding inspiration and interesting challenges in what they’re doing. 

Focus on providing values

​​“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I believe no one is ever truly content with their life. But it’s not necessarily a bad thing. The world evolves into what it is today and continues to evolve because we, human beings, are not content. Without content, we wonder, we explore and we create. 

People will always be asking more of their lives and as a broker, you can always do more to assist their effort and planning. The secret to success is to provide values for others. Being able to keep going with so much conviction in what you believe is what sets you apart from the rest. You’re limitless at this point. 

The pandemic has provided an opportunity for us to reassess whether we find what we are doing meaningful. I hope this article brings the boreout issue into discussion and gives you a shift in perspective.