Boredom at Work

[EnriqueNye]

I work an office job that pays well and gives me a lot of responsibility. I'm the regional IT manager for a company that has a half a dozen offices around my state. Despite that I find I have very little to do. The work I have comes extremely easy for me. I'm able to plan and deploy projects in very little time and complete my day to day responsibilities of resolving issues and general system maintenance very quickly. I probably do 6 or so hours of actual work a week. And I go above and beyond, there's not been a single complaint on my performance, and everyone holds me in high regard. I'm not sure if it's because I'm good at the job or if it's just an easy job. My job lets me have one remote day a week, but for the rest of the week I have to be at the office in my cubicle. I've found that I have great boredom when I'm at work and this has led to idleness that is leading to sin. I'm finding myself spending most of my spare time on chatting sites just to pass the time, but a lot of these chat sites are sexually charged and have become a stumbling block.

I've attempted to give myself things to do but there's only so much I can do. This has happened in my previous jobs to some degree but I was able to bring books in and read them. I can't do that here as I sit in a shared cubicle and people walk by a lot and can look in. I've resorted to going to grad school to pursue a masters degree in IT just so I can have something to do at work. The IT industry is arguably a trade so experience matters more than a degree would, but I'm just trying to fill my time. Even with doing the degree at an accelerated space I still have to plan to procrastinate my homework because if I don't, I'll get all of the weeks work done for it by the end of the day Wednesday or on Thursday of each week leaving my bored and idle and tempted to sin for the rest of the week. While this helps somewhat, I'll be done the degree in February and the problem will get worse again. I have also considered reading the bible on my phone, which while doesn't look as bad as reading a book, can't be done for long periods of time.

I kind of feel stuck. I don't know where to go or what to do. If I left the company it would be chaos for them as I'm the only one who knows how to do everything IT and technology related. I also rely on this job to support my family. I've considered changing my career but I wouldn't be able to support us with an entry level position. My impressions from prayer on this is that the Lord would have me stay where I am but that I need to find a way to overcome this boredom. Whether it be self control, or a change in mindset. Any prayer, advice, or encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

I work an office job that pays well and gives me a lot of responsibility. I'm the regional IT manager for a company that has a half a dozen offices around my state. Despite that I find I have very little to do. The work I have comes extremely easy for me. I'm able to plan and deploy projects in very little time and complete my day to day responsibilities of resolving issues and general system maintenance very quickly. I probably do 6 or so hours of actual work a week. And I go above and beyond, there's not been a single complaint on my performance, and everyone holds me in high regard. I'm not sure if it's because I'm good at the job or if it's just an easy job. My job lets me have one remote day a week, but for the rest of the week I have to be at the office in my cubicle. I've found that I have great boredom when I'm at work and this has led to idleness that is leading to sin. I'm finding myself spending most of my spare time on chatting sites just to pass the time, but a lot of these chat sites are sexually charged and have become a stumbling block.

I've attempted to give myself things to do but there's only so much I can do. This has happened in my previous jobs to some degree but I was able to bring books in and read them. I can't do that here as I sit in a shared cubicle and people walk by a lot and can look in. I've resorted to going to grad school to pursue a masters degree in IT just so I can have something to do at work. The IT industry is arguably a trade so experience matters more than a degree would, but I'm just trying to fill my time. Even with doing the degree at an accelerated space I still have to plan to procrastinate my homework because if I don't, I'll get all of the weeks work done for it by the end of the day Wednesday or on Thursday of each week leaving my bored and idle and tempted to sin for the rest of the week. While this helps somewhat, I'll be done the degree in February and the problem will get worse again. I have also considered reading the bible on my phone, which while doesn't look as bad as reading a book, can't be done for long periods of time.

I kind of feel stuck. I don't know where to go or what to do. If I left the company it would be chaos for them as I'm the only one who knows how to do everything IT and technology related. I also rely on this job to support my family. I've considered changing my career but I wouldn't be able to support us with an entry level position. My impressions from prayer on this is that the Lord would have me stay where I am but that I need to find a way to overcome this boredom. Whether it be self control, or a change in mindset. Any prayer, advice, or encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

Why don't you speak to your boss and ask for more job duties and responsibilities. As a Christian if you are being paid for work not performed (working 6 hours per week) you owe it to your company to tell them this. If they choose not to add more job duties or responsibilities then its on them, but you owe it to yourself and to them to let them know you do not have enough work to keep busy and be honest about how long it takes for you to perform your duties. The commandment for not stealing also includes stealing time, even if its not intentional.

 

[EnriqueNye]

Why don't you speak to your boss and ask for more job duties and responsibilities. As a Christian if you are being paid for work not performed (working 6 hours per week) you owe it to your company to tell them this. If they choose not to add more job duties or responsibilities then its on them, but you owe it to yourself and to them to let them know you do not have enough work to keep busy and be honest about how long it takes for you to perform your duties. The commandment for not stealing also includes stealing time, even if its not intentional.

So this actually happened. I should have mentioned. I used to not be the IT manager. The former IT manager was fired for not taking his job seriously and missing work. I stepped up to take on all the responsibilities. My current boss who is in charge of the whole state is somewhat aware of the situation, which is why there's also now no other IT staff. It's tricky because being in IT is kind of like being a firefighter where you're mainly responding to problems, and if everything is working, you're doing a good job. What they're ultimately paying me for is to be ready in the event that issues arise, in which case I always prioritize that.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

So this actually happened. I should have mentioned. I used to not be the IT manager. The former IT manager was fired for not taking his job seriously and missing work. I stepped up to take on all the responsibilities. My current boss who is in charge of the whole state is somewhat aware of the situation, which is why there's also now no other IT staff. It's tricky because being in IT is kind of like being a firefighter where you're mainly responding to problems, and if everything is working, you're doing a good job. What they're ultimately paying me for is to be ready in the event that issues arise, in which case I always prioritize that.

Thanks for that information and its good you went to your boss with it. My suggestion would be to either look for a new job that has more job duties or replace your bad habit with a good habit. Better to cut out an eye and go to heaven than to sin and can be applied in this situation if you can't control yourself with your idle time you really should look for a job or hobby or something that forces you to keep busy.

God bless!

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

I work an office job that pays well and gives me a lot of responsibility. I'm the regional IT manager for a company that has a half a dozen offices around my state. Despite that I find I have very little to do. The work I have comes extremely easy for me. I'm able to plan and deploy projects in very little time and complete my day to day responsibilities of resolving issues and general system maintenance very quickly. I probably do 6 or so hours of actual work a week. And I go above and beyond, there's not been a single complaint on my performance, and everyone holds me in high regard. I'm not sure if it's because I'm good at the job or if it's just an easy job. My job lets me have one remote day a week, but for the rest of the week I have to be at the office in my cubicle. I've found that I have great boredom when I'm at work and this has led to idleness that is leading to sin. I'm finding myself spending most of my spare time on chatting sites just to pass the time, but a lot of these chat sites are sexually charged and have become a stumbling block.

I've attempted to give myself things to do but there's only so much I can do. This has happened in my previous jobs to some degree but I was able to bring books in and read them. I can't do that here as I sit in a shared cubicle and people walk by a lot and can look in. I've resorted to going to grad school to pursue a masters degree in IT just so I can have something to do at work. The IT industry is arguably a trade so experience matters more than a degree would, but I'm just trying to fill my time. Even with doing the degree at an accelerated space I still have to plan to procrastinate my homework because if I don't, I'll get all of the weeks work done for it by the end of the day Wednesday or on Thursday of each week leaving my bored and idle and tempted to sin for the rest of the week. While this helps somewhat, I'll be done the degree in February and the problem will get worse again. I have also considered reading the bible on my phone, which while doesn't look as bad as reading a book, can't be done for long periods of time.

I kind of feel stuck. I don't know where to go or what to do. If I left the company it would be chaos for them as I'm the only one who knows how to do everything IT and technology related. I also rely on this job to support my family. I've considered changing my career but I wouldn't be able to support us with an entry level position. My impressions from prayer on this is that the Lord would have me stay where I am but that I need to find a way to overcome this boredom. Whether it be self control, or a change in mindset. Any prayer, advice, or encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

you know with AI popping up all over the place can you program quantum computers?, not many people can now, this could be an opportunity for you to develop something wither using regular AI or the coming quantum computing systems this could be an asset for your company. perhaps you could develop useful tools for the work you do. A project could fill out the time you have free at your post. Better be prepared and try to innovate.

Blessings.

 

[timf]

You might consider asking your company if they would be willing to hire you as a consultant. You could work for them for two or three days a week (at $10/hr. more. You would have to pay your own benefits). This might allow you to take on other clients and perhaps even expand by hiring and training others to work for you.

 

[tturt]

Normally,, I don't recommend this. I believe in doing A+ job and usually it takes all the hours to make it happen.

But instead of being on chat sites, you have the opportunity to memorize Scripture, praise, pray, do Biblical research, etc.