Here’s Why You Want A Really Boring Job

Why your dream job might be killing your dreams (And what to do instead)

Jul 04, 2024

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” — Steve Jobs

Wait, what?

Is this not the article on boring jobs? Why on earth would I start my article off with a quote that goes totally against the premise?

The thing is, we’ve been fed such a steady diet of “follow your passion” and “do what you love” that we’ve got a collective case of career FOMO.

But what if I told you that the ticket to living your best life actually involves a boring job?

Sounds like crazy talk, right? Like saying, “Hey, wanna have the time of your life? Go watch paint dry!” But hear me out.

First of all, let’s work out what we mean by a “boring” job. That is, not soul-crushing and mind-numbing work that has you headbutting your keyboard. We are talking about predictable, stable, and yes, perhaps a little drudge-like jobs, where you are not constantly fighting fires or reinventing the wheel.

If anything, they are those kinds of jobs that don’t come home and trouble your dreams.

Now, why in the world would anybody want that?

Imagine this: it’s 5 PM on a Friday. You’re just packing up your stuff to head out for the weekend. Stressed-Out Steve is still there, bending over his desk, mumbling about deadlines and client presentations. You, beaming, head for your weekend. That is what real power at work looks like, courtesy of a boring job.

But wait, there’s more! I sound like an infomercial, don’t I? Bear with me.

The Hidden Benefits of a Boring Job

Mental Real Estate: When your job doesn’t demand every ounce of your brainpower, you’ve got room for other stuff. Maybe you’ve always wanted to write that novel about a time-traveling cheese maker. Or perhaps you’ve been itching to learn how to juggle flaming chainsaws. If you had some mundane job, your mind would begin to wander and roam. It was quite literally like waking up to a blank canvas every day, just waiting for splatters from your imagination.
Stress? What Stress?: You remember Stressed-Out Steve, right? Don’t be like Steve. More often than not, a boring job corresponds to less stress. And with less stress comes better health, better sleep, and more energy to do all the things one loves doing. It’s almost a domino effect of worries melting away.
Financial Stability: Boring jobs are often just stable. And stable jobs translate into steady paychecks. You know what’s really exciting? Being able to pay your bills without breaking into a cold sweat. You’re like a financial ninja, conquering your expenses without drama, as silent as can be.
Work-Life Balance: This isn’t just some tin-pot buzzword, folks. It’s the holy grail of modern existence. Boring job, and you’re way more likely to leave work at work. No more 2 AM email responses or sweaty anxiety dreams about PowerPoint presentations. Your personal life gets to be, well, personal.
Energy for Side Hustles: Always wanted to start that artisanal sock puppet business? Well, a non-stimulating day job might just give you the energy and mental space to pursue your passions on the side. You know, it kinda feels like having a secret identity — mild-mannered office worker by day and sock puppet mogul by night!
Appreciation for Excitement: You will find out how to get excited about other things when your job is boring. All of a sudden, trying a new ice cream flavor becomes an adventure. You may learn, in fact, to more appreciate the little things. It’s like your boredom at work becomes a springboard for joy in other areas of your life.
Mastery and Efficiency: Now, here’s the shocker — you can actually get really good at whatever it is that you’re doing because of those boring jobs. When you don’t have to learn new things every day, actually, you have time to perfect your current skills. You are now the go-to guy/girl, the office wizard who can do magic stuff in your sleep. Efficiency is like your superpower.
Time for Self-Reflection: A boring job gives you time to think. About life, the universe, and everything. You may discover hidden depths in yourself that you never knew existed. It’s like having a daily meditation session, but you’re getting paid for it.
Relationships Flourish: You’ll have more energy for relationships when your job doesn’t consume your life. Your friends, family, and even that cute barista you meant to talk to all benefit from the time you have available and energy free from stress.
Weekend Appreciation: Nothing beats a dull week to make you truly, sincerely love your weekends. All of a sudden, Saturday morning feels like Christmas. You savor those instances of free time like it were the last pizza slice at the party.

But What About Personal Growth?

I mean, I know what you’re thinking: “But what about personal growth? What about challenging myself?”

Well, plot twist number two: personal growth doesn’t have to happen at work.

In fact, some might say true personal growth happens outside of work, when you’re free to explore your own interests and passions without the pressure and expectations that come with work.

Let me share something personal. (yeah, again!)

A few years ago, I had one of those jobs that probably sounds “exciting” to many people. I traveled nonstop, met new people, and worked on complex problems — so it looked good on paper.

But in reality, I was completely burned out. My personal life was in pieces. I literally don’t remember reading a book for fun or doing Sunday Funday with brunch anymore.

It was then, one day, after a mistaken identity, a runaway llama, and a fortune cookie — a whole long story — again, that I ended up in a “boring” job.

At first, I was worried. Would I turn dull? Would my brain turn to mush?

But you know what happened instead? I rediscovered me.

I took up painting. I started volunteering at an animal shelter. I finally learned how to cook something other than instant noodles.

And you know what? I was happier than I’d been in years.

Now, I’m clearly not advocating that anyone rush out and seek some no-brainer job because of that.

But I am suggesting that perhaps, just perhaps, we’ve been looking at this all wrong. Perhaps the key to a life of excitement is not found in an exciting job. Maybe it’s a job that allows you the freedom to create a life of excitement outside the job.

Of course, caveats abound. A boring job does not mean a toxic job.

If you are just undervalued or mistreated at work, that is another story altogether. Here, what we’re talking about is a job that’s stable, predictable, and allows you to have a life outside of work.

Now, how do you actually find this mythical boring-but-great job? A few tips:

Look for industries known for stability: Government jobs, certain corporate positions, and others — like established industries — oftentimes hold the type of stability we are talking about.
Prioritize work-life balance in your job search: Key into companies that seem to hold employee well-being and work-life balance at par.
Consider your skills and interests: A “boring” job can be satisfying if it plays toward your strengths and lets you feel competent.
Don’t fear routine: Routine doesn’t need to be a pejorative. It can be reassuring, and it can give you parameters to most of your life.
Seek boundaried jobs: Jobs that let you leave the work at work are gold.

If you’ve found value in this article and would like to support my work, consider buying me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/kaydee.

Your support helps me continue creating content that tackles life’s big questions with a blend of honesty and humor.

Just keep in mind that a job is something that takes you through life. It doesn’t define you.

What defines you is the choice of the life you want to live, the relationships you nurture, and what you are most passionate about — that which gives you a foothold on making a difference in your world.

So the next time someone asks, “What is it that you do?” and you catch yourself saying, “Oh, I have this pretty boring job,” keep your chin up to say that, because you know very well that that boring job is a launchpad to an exciting life.

And who knows?

Maybe one day, on a beach, with a piña colada in hand, using the money from that boring job that funded your dreams, you’ll say, “Thank goodness for boring jobs.”

So here’s a toast to the pencil pushers and data entry experts, filing clerks, and all others in such unsung hero roles in the land of those boring jobs: You’re not just employees; you’re life enthusiasts in disguise. Embrace the boredom, and let it propel you to greatness in all other areas of your life.

Life is what one makes it, isn’t it? And sometimes the greatest way to make life amazing is to have a really, really boring job.

If you enjoy my articles and would like to support my work, consider buying me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/kaydee. Your support helps me keep creating valuable content for you!

Wisdom & Wit with KayDee

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