Summer break season is upon us for those with school aged children. The shrieks of delight as they leave the classroom doors, no more homework or waking up early to rush to the bus stop. The children are freed from the responsibilities of the educational system. The plans have been formulated, swimming, friends, late nights, and bike rides through town fill their little heads with pure bliss. 

For parents, summer break brings a whole different set of feelings, responsibilities, worries, and conundrums. The “I’m bored” and “I’m hungry” soon become a part of the daily,  more likely hourly, ritual. Gone are the days when a child would wake up in the morning, scarf down some sugary cereal and be one with the land until dusk. We played with sticks and dirt, bugs and worms. We were content just doing something besides sitting in a classroom. 

Today, kids are filled with activities. Daycamps, planned activities, play dates all fill the summer schedules. Video games, electronics, and streaming services supply entertainment during the down times. Yet the words “I’m bored” spew from children’s mouths multiple times a day.  

Friday was the last day of school for my twelve year old. We attended the family picnic, packed up his locker, and returned home so I could finish my work day. We arrived home at 11:57. He had big plans to “game” all afternoon without being disturbed by his nagging mother. At 1:19, he entered the room grumbling, “I’m bored”. 

He was busy, but he was bored. Many things he had to do, lots he could do, even things he wanted to do. But he remained spiritless. 

A bored kid, or even worse a bored employee leads to a blase attitude, half-assed production, and an overall aura of negativity. Our people are surely busy, they have plenty of to-do’s. The phones are ringing, the jobs keep rolling through the door. They complete the tasks day in and day out sufficiently. However when the excitement wears off, and the daily grind becomes mundane their heart is no longer in it. Work becomes a chore, there is no drive to be better or initiative. Our bored people are simply on auto-pilot, which is sure to eventually nose dive. 

How can we as leaders, both in the home and in our professional lives keep our people from getting bored?

Spice It Up: Building the same transmission, answering the same type of calls, circling the same block is bound to become routine. We stop paying attention to the details as we have traveled this path many times. Break the cycle. Go left instead of right. Try a new way to answer the phone. Instead of “This Bill, how can I help”, allow for it to be spiced up. Try on “Thanks for calling City Engine Repair, You blow it, we tow it! This is Bill, how can I help?” Build with a vengeance, challenge yourself to be faster, better, more accurate. Sometimes playing a personal game can add back the bit of umph that has disappeared.  

Change the Scenery: We don’t all have the opportunity to work from home, the beach, somewhere exotic, however, even for those workers that are bound to a bench there is room to invigorate your space. Make it your own, hang the weird artifacts, tape up the (company approved) photos, tidy up your room. Enhance your space to turn it into your happy place. You will soon not be stuck behind a desk but rather lounging at your favorite Caribbean all inclusive pool side being fed grapes and pina coladas. Just don’t indulge too heavily. 

Would You Rather?: At times people are so stuck in the day to day even a winch couldn’t pull them out of the darkness. As a leader it is your responsibility to identify the issue, and provide potential solutions. “Would you rather make outbound calls, than scheduling calls?” “Would you rather work on 8L90’s, than 4L60’s?” “Would you rather clean up the yard full of doggie doo, or go take a bike ride around town?” Sometimes you will find that a change of pace is just what was needed to boost individual morale. Other times the bored staff member will snap out of it and realize what they have is worth putting the effort in to renew their passion. 

Summer vacation is a short three months compared to the days and weeks and years of employment. Treat everyday as a challenge. Speak up when the darkness of boredom creeps in, but be your own advocate and do not expect anyone else to entertain you if you haven’t already exhausted all other options. 

Be the excitement you desire. If you create it, you will blossom within it.