How to make the best of a boring, blah job

You can mope and wallow, or you can choose to wring every drop of professional goodness from your turnip of a gig.

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Work is not always a source of fulfillment.

Most folks toil in gigs that fall somewhere on the scale between boring and torturous. Of course, some (weirdos who merit deep suspicion) find their jobs to be a wellspring of encouragement, inspiration and validation.

For the rest who are caught in the middle—perhaps longing for greener pastures in a different company or career—consider these four ways to bloom wherever you’re currently planted.

1. Volunteer to take on more tasks. If your current chores bore you to tears, ask your manager if it’s possible to spice up your workload. Try to finagle some kind of load swap with a colleague, or convince your boss why it’d be prudent to scrape certain tasks off your plate. Actively strive to delegate busywork to someone else—but be ready and willing to accept new assignments.

If there’s a project, platform or program that piques your interest, ask to get involved. Make it clear that you’d like to contribute and learn.

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