The truth is our careers can be boring. We wake up every day at the same time, take the same route to work, eat the same breakfast, see the same people, work on the same projects, and then we go home and get ready for the next day. All while counting the days to the weekend.

Depressing? No. Knowing that your career will pretty much be the same can be empowering. Focusing on what’s stable in your career is more productive than resenting your routine. Knowing that tomorrow will be like today builds confidence and confidence sparks creativity. When you are confident, you can create a career that inspires you.

If you are not enjoying your career, and are tired of going through the motions, it’s up to you to do something about it.

If You Want More Spice (And Less Boredom) In Your Career, Follow These Five Steps Below:

1. Don’t Let Go Of Your Routine

Routine is good because you know what you are doing and when. Your routine gives you less to think about, which can reduce stress and feelings of being overwhelmed. If you had to think about everything little detail of your day and how to go about it, you probably wouldn’t function very well most of the time. The structure is good and you should keep it.

2. Don’t Allow Fear To Win

We all know what would make our careers more interesting, we just sometimes choose not to follow what’s in our hearts. Maybe you are afraid of looking bad in front of others. Or, failing. Or, succeeding. Whatever you are afraid of, know that you can work through it if you want to. Make a decision that if you are afraid, you will keep moving forward anyway. When you feel fear, remember your decision.

3. Update Your Routine

Because you have a good structure in place, you can begin to venture out. Ask yourself what aspects of your career do you enjoy? What aspects do you wish would go away? How can you do more of you what you like and less of what you dislike? If you were not worried about what may or may not happen next in your career, what would you do differently? Get your answers on paper. If you want to get up in the morning and exercise before your day begins, put that action into your calendar. If you want to update your skills, add a continuing education class to your to-do list. If you want a new job, create time in your schedule for job searching. Why write these items down? So they get done.

4. Remember That New Habits Form Over Time

Making modifications in your career is not always easy in the beginning because you have to retrain your mind to think differently. This is why many experts say it takes thirty days to form a new habit. You are used to doing things in your career in a certain way, so it takes time to change. Be nice to yourself during the process. If you go back to your old ways, stop, congratulate yourself for your progress to date, and then get back on track.

5. Enjoy Your New Routine

When you have spice in your career, you are happier. You feel fulfilled. You have meaning and purpose. Your day to day may be the same, but what’s in your day is different.

So, what do you say? You only have one life to live, so it might as well be a life you love!