Doubts about work: how to decide?

[Eline]

I'm having doubts about my job and I could use some advise. I've been working at my office for 5 years now. The problem is that I'm often not motivated to do my work. I spend way too much time on the internet. I work from 9 am till 6 pm, but I guess I easily waste two or more hours per day.I feel bad about it and it's really draining me.

I am an independent worker and I handle (insurance) files for my boss as well as for my own clients. I guess this is why none seems to notice I'm wasting so much time, maybe they just figure I have a lot on my plate with my own clients? As he doesn't notice anything, my boss doesn't motivate me at all.

On days were I work hard, I notice I feel a lot better about myself. My colleagues are nice, though I do often feel annoyed when they catch me clicking a website away as they pass by my desk. I do find that some files really get to me, when there is a lot of dispute of if there are children involved. I do tend to waste more time when working on these files.

I've been trying to solve this problem for more than 2 years now, and I don't know what to do? Do I need a new job or am I just an internet addict and do I need to work on that?

 

[Kitteh_Kat]

I had the same problem when I was working at my insurance job before I became a SAHM. If I was bored I definitely wasn't as productive. I ended up asking my manager for more responsibilities, and that fixed it! After that they always kept me busy doing something, which was both a joy and a challenge. It helped mix things up too; in a given day I could handle my own claims, help a coworker on their files, instruct new hires, help distribute workflow throughout the office, act as a back-up supervisor, work on new training material, etc.

Is there someone else besides your boss you can go to without stepping on toes? Or volunteer to help out your coworkers?

 

[Eline]

I do like my work better when my boss is away on vacation. There's so much to do then that the days fly by. But in that period I mostly don't really handle the files, it's more writing letters, giving information etc, so there's no emotional stuff.
I have only one colleague I can talk to, but she's a very hard worker and I'm not sure she'll understand what I mean. Also, I don't have any kids yet, but I'd rather work less hours, just a regular 9 to 5, but my colleague has three kids and she works till 6. I fear she might react rather negative.

 

[NerdyMama]

I agree with job enlargement. Ask if you can take on more tasks throughout your day plus this will make you look aces to the employer. See what they are willing to help give you so you can fill time. I did this at a previous job and started being able to order and take on more responsibility and was soon being considered for management

 

[Eline]

Thanks for your advise. Unfortunately, two months later, there's still no improvement. I think maybe a job as an employee would be better suited for me. I think I need some more guidance and instructions to make sure I do my job properly. I still waste so much time online even though the work here is never done. I've been trying to fix this for so long, but it just doesn't seem to work. I think I've been pushing this decision ahead of me for a long time and maybe too long.