Knight says boredom can be caused by one of three things: repetition, dissatisfaction and having outgrown the work.
If it's about repetition, you probably can get through the day without being challenged; you do things without thinking - that makes you feel you're wasting your time. "Eight hours a day is a long time to do things on automatic," says Knight.
Dissatisfaction is often about a philosophical difference. Either you disagree with the way things are done by colleagues at work, you disagree with the level of quality of work that's been done in the company; or you disagree with the company culture.
Often company's mission statements have high ideals, however, when people become familiar with the organisation they see how those ideals don't always function as they'd hoped in every day life.
Knight says: "In New Zealand the main reason people become self-employed is dissatisfaction. However that often comes at their peril as they don't realise what's been done in the background to enable them to do their job. Just being good at your job does not mean you will do well going it on your own."
Dissatisfaction also comes when people think they're working hard and holding up the company - they think they're owed more and become dissatisfied with what they have.
The third issue is having outgrown the job. It's about knowing how to do the job and what's needed is to move up or out. The question here is: Do the people in management know that you're capable of taking on more challenges? Do the people around you have the same perception of your ability that you have?
Knight says people who are dissatisfied often feel they must have outgrown their role, however if a manager is not saying to you: 'Why don't you apply for that or I can give you more responsibility', if you're not getting that feedback, you need to look at what it is about your performance and your own dissatisfaction and how that's impacting on your work and status among management and your peers."
Often people feel they're really putting out but they're just doing their job. Maybe before work they're sorting out their three kids, getting them to school, then getting to work and working hard - often they feel they need to be rewarded for all they do, but work doesn't need to reward you for being a good mother or father.
"Work out where you're dissatisfied, where the kudos needs to come from. At work you need to be able to step up, show what you can do, not just do what you do well."
Staying in the comfort zone puts you at risk. Staying in a rut creates dependence. Anyone can lose their job tomorrow. By narrowing your skills set and opportunities you're putting yourself at risk. Knight says: "If you're stale everybody knows it - others get bored with you. The first step is work out where your boredom comes from. Maybe you're just tired -- also look at the small stuff - too much binge-watching, not enough exercise, drama at home and other things like that.
"Boredom often is a year or two away from taking action. It's not terminal and sometimes it's temporary."
Knight says people often get bored because they're doing the job for the sake of money as they're supporting themselves and others.
"Sometimes that's just the way it is. If that's a case it's about holding on to the meaning of why you are working and the importance of paying the mortgage and survival."
She says it can be important to peek out of that box - ask how can you make progress and move ahead? Maybe it's just about getting better and better - feeling you're achieving something. If you feel you're making progress, it's easier to feel satisfied.
She says also: Don't focus on what others are doing. "It's key to engage in your own life and not judge others or compare yourself with them.
"So peek outside the box, see what's possible - Google can help, as can job sites such as seek.co.nz. See what's out there. Have a go at applying for other jobs.
Step up - take on new challenges. If you're stale and ask a manager to make you less stale, that's a waste of time. Find new challenges. People sometimes treat their employer like their parents, that's not how it works. Show initiative. Don't do it once and expect people to notice, keep on doing it.
