Sitting at work wondering, "Whats the Point"?

Okay, I am not suicidal in anyway, just bored out of my mind.  I work in a high profile industry and make an above average salary, yet I think I have reached the level in my career where my job is to do nothing.  I love the salary and I love what my job is supposed to be.  I took a jump out of the same job, different firm, where I was paid about 30% less but did about 75% more.  How is that possible you may ask.  I work in the financial industry and depending on the size and type of firm pay rates fluctuate wildly.  I am in Compliance.

I have asked my boss for more projects due to the fact that we are slow and his repsonse was just to sit tight.  There are 2 people in my division and the other person I work with can take a 30 minute task and stretch it out for 2 weeks.  I have not yet mastered that task.

I surf the net most of the day.  I do personal business, etc., etc., etc.  I know I shouldn't complain and there are people out there that are stressed and overworked.  I just can't handle being bored or unchallenged.  I need to stretch my mental capacity. 

For those of you that are going to say, shut up and be thankful that you have a job.  I am very thankful, and quitting isn't an option because right now the job market is tight. 

Thanks for allowing the rant

maybe you could teach yourself calligraphy while you sit at your desk?

OR you could write an expose on waste in the financial industry and sell it to the New York Times for a bunch of money

I would be glad to ghost write it for you for a cut (to be negotiated)

Perhaps it's time to find something more challenging? A step up?

I can't handle being bored and unchallenged either. I hate it.

Okay I have no idea what your hobbies or interests outside of you financial world job...but if it were me I would work on learning a new language.   A new language may open doors for you at your job (projects with people who deal with international clients etc) OR provide a great travel/volunteering outlet (Learn a bit of a new language, travel to that country to donate your time in some way for a week or two) OR expose you to some culture locally...but thats just me:)

Calligraphy is always fun too...I learned it in high school.  Great for making invitations to all the parties you can plan in your free time and pay for with your apparently high salary!  All I ask is that you invite me.

All great suggestions.  I am thinking about going back to school.  I can actually study at work, and the firm pays for school, who would have thought.

I am about as far as I can go in my choosen profession, all I can do is add additional titles.  Not that exciting. When I started on this career path I used to wonder what people in charge with offices did all day long.  Now I have a pretty good idea, not really sure if I like it.  Changing professions would entail a pay cut.  I have thought about switching once the kids are out of college, but then I would have to figure out what to do? 

Good task for today.  Pros and cons of switching jobs, and what would I do.  Also thinking about writing a Christmas letter to include with the cards I send.  Don't usually like those, but I do have the time. Hmmm....

My hobbies generally include eating, cooking (hence the reason I am overweight), reading, and writing.  I have thought about writing a book, but I get caught up in the research and never formulate a story. 

How about organizing some fund raising for the Holidays at your office?

Original Post by theresa5656:

My hobbies generally include eating, cooking (hence the reason I am overweight), reading, and writing.  I have thought about writing a book, but I get caught up in the research and never formulate a story. 

that's why we'd be such a great team -- I'm a librarian -- research is my specialty

I love the research aspect to my job as well. I really do enjoy when new regulations are issued so that I can determine how they fit into our corporate structure.  I also enjoy writing policy and procedures.  It always feels good to have concrete documentation for tasks.  Weird but that is what I am good at.

My dream job would be to own and run and indendent bookstore. The store would be small, and have a tea shop.  Someplace where people could come in and browse without being rushed.  The store would also specialize in finding books for people.  I would like to include something that provides for kids that are at risk.  I firmly believe that if you give a child the ability to read you open up the world.  You provide a respite from the hardships of life, and provide a better addiction than alcohol or drugs.  Okay now I have gone off on my personal soap box. 

Nomoreexcuses - How do you enjoy being a librian?  Are you in a school or in a public library.  How does one become a librian?

I love being a librarian.    The best part, for me, is helping people find answers to questions.  I firmly believe that you can be 'a librarian' in any job if you're getting relevant information into the right hands at the right time.  That's how good decisions get made in any company.

I'm at a private boarding school right now.  So my population is college-bound high school students.  I mostly help them with their research for papers, sometimes for college entry essays.  I teach them research skills.  I also get interesting information requests from members of the executive board which usually require creative research.  These are all part of the job that I love.

Other parts of the job are enjoyable as well -- collection management (filling in the gaps in the collection; weeding out and updating reference materials); I also spend quite a bit of time on periodicals management, but that's partly because our subscription vendor 'sucks' and we can't really afford to upgrade.  Next year I'm not going to renew our contract with them - I'm just going to manage all of our subscriptions directly because I spend enough time on it to do that already - why involve a middle man (who makes so many mistakes)?

The only part of the job that I do not like is dealing with missing/stolen books/materials.  That is a drag.

You can get a Masters of Library & Information Studies at a number of universities if you're interested.  The areas of specialty are: school media specialist, academic library, special library (this could be legal, medical, or just about any other private library on any topic you can imagine - including banking) and systems librarians (web and online delivery of resources).

The pay ranges from low (most public libraries) to teacher-like (public schools) to not bad (most universities or private entities) to hey, i'll take that! (academic library directors).

I think I read a book with a story line almost exactly like your dream job.    The writing is not superior but somehow, you feel compelled to find out what happens.

Wow... I could say all of those exact same things about  my job....  I'm in finance as well and just got a 15% raise.... and I do the same crap now.  I just have a new title.  Sometimes i fell totally lost at the end of the day, thinking "what did i just do for 8 hours?  nothing?"  But like you said, I do all of my responsibilies and more at my job.  I love to eat too!!  And boredom at work led me to eat out more than I should.  I just felt like getting away for an hour... or more, because i'm not hourly.  A Chipotle craving was always a good reason to leave for me!

Nomoreexcuses - Thanks for filling in the blanks.  I am going to check out the link.  I am an avid reader, but only keep hard back copies at home.  My kids are taking after me in that aspect.  My husband says I should just open up our home as a lending library.  I shop the bargin bins, and even good will looking for books.  I don't think I have met an author I can't read.  That isn't to say that I find them all good.  I just finish the book and move on.  I also don't think there is a genre I would shy away from 

kellylredman - My position involves investigation into money movement and securities transactions, but right now with the economy my job is monitoring reports that generate systematically.  Not a whole lot going on.  I love the people I work with so that is a plus.  When I started in this business I use to have "produce" work. I started a sales assistant for two brokers.  I got bored after a few years and decided to take the management route, which led me to compliance. I wish I could learn to be content with slow periods and get over the need to be challanged.

Chipotle is a favorite of mine.  Good thing there isn't one close to the office or I would be there today.  I am sitting here eating edamame and Progresso light soup with some reduced fat triscuits.  It is too cold to venture to the great outdoors.

Learn a new language,   It's fun and you can use it as an excuse to go to another country.

I was going to suggest going back & takign some classes but it appears you have thought of that already... Looks like it doesn't hold too much appear for you.  Perhaps you could follow the stock market then?  Make a killing by buying undervalued stock & wait for it to go up?

Oh & don't forget share with me.  I'm too swamped but I would LOVE to have just a few mins each day to follow the market & research a company.  :)

redplatforms - going back to school does appeal to me.  Working in the financial sector has made me a bit cynical so following stocks are out of the question.  I have a very conservative view for investments.  A little  gain (CD interest) in my opinion is better than risking any of my principal.  I have been fortunate to work for companies that provide a 401k match, so I put in the max that they match 100% return for me.  Most financial experts won't agree with my thinking.

What about finding some non-profit organizations that could use some expert advise? It would be a good way to fill your time and could help a worthy cause. It also could, if approved by your boss, put your company's name out in a good light in the community.

We almost have the same job! Work boredom is how I discovered CC!

cellophane_star - boredom is the start of ingenuity I think  At least I have time to read and keep track of myself.  My job also provides and excuse to go for walks.  I take one at lunch, prior to this job lunch wasn't much of an option.  I will take the good with the bored (oops I mean bad)

Hi Theresa,

I too am in Cd's... Also I've been in mutal funds since 94...  which aren't doing so great right now but better than the market at least....   I'm no where near retiring so I guess I think I should be risking more than I am.  I also advised many of my "older" relatives to sell a few years ago.  Only one of them listened.  I said "Take the money & run!  It's not really making a profit unless you cash it out."  Only Uncle George listened though.  lol

Does you company have a gym?  It's my saving grace on both the occationally slow & (mostly) Uber stressful days. 

Redplatforms -No gym, but at lunch I go over to the parking deck and walk up and down.  3 trips is 2.4 miles.  I can usually get this done in about 35 minutes.  It is a huge help.  This boredom is making it difficult to concentrate on healthy choices. 

Wow, that surprises me! I work in the financial industry in Canada and we are busier than ever - especially our district compliance officers. With all the market turmoil we are over run with work ensuring that our clients are properly taken care of.