The only way to do great work is to love what you do.

“Business as usual.” Just reading it feels like a sigh, doesn’t it? For most of us, it signals predictable meetings, rinse-and-repeat tasks, and the slow creep of monotony. 

It’s easy to fall into the rhythm of routines—they’re comfortable, after all. In my recent blog, The Novelty Rule, I explored how humans are naturally wired to crave newness. That same principle applies to our corporate life. A little injection of novelty can transform the mundane into something un-mundane, if not energizing and engaging.

There’s a reason routines can feel soul-sucking. While they help streamline work, they can also turn on people's autopilot mode. Ever completed a task and then wondered, "Wait, did I even think about what I was doing?" (I did it, many times!).

The problem isn’t the routine itself; it’s that routines can trap us in predictable, uninspiring patterns. They rob us of the spark that comes from trying something new, solving a challenge creatively, or breaking out of our comfort zones.

The result? People disengage, ideas stagnate, and the workplace starts to feel like a never-ending loop of meh.

We can't throw structure out the window. Routines have their place to keep things going. But what if we approached them with a touch of novelty? Here's how you can do that:

• Celebrate wins: Think about it—how often do we finish a project or hit a milestone and immediately move on to the next thing? Just taking a moment to acknowledge achievements can make all the difference. Celebrating wins doesn’t need to come from external recognition, either. Take the time to appreciate your own efforts and accomplishments by rewarding yourself, or simply acknowledging the progress made. This will boost your morale and remind you of the impact of your work.
• Refresh the environment: Little changes can have the biggest impact. Rearrange your desk, add a pop of color, or update your laptop wallpaper! A change in scenery—no matter how small—can give you that hit of dopamine you need.
• Shake up meetings: Meetings are a breeding ground for boredom, but they don’t have to be. Start with something unexpected—like a fun icebreaker or a quick round of “What’s your highlight of the week?”. Or, flip the script: instead of running through agendas, try brainstorming sessions.

As I wrote in The Novelty Rule, us humans are naturally drawn to newness. It’s why we’re excited to try a new restaurant or binge-watch a new show. Novelty wakes us up. It grabs our attention.

In the workplace, novelty keeps people engaged, motivated, and invested in what they’re doing. It's an antidote to monotony and is also the secret ingredient behind businesses that thrive.

Think about brands that are constantly reinventing themselves—companies like Meta or Netflix. Their success isn’t just about consistency; it’s about their ability to surprise us while staying true to their core.

What if “business as usual” wasn’t just a routine to follow but a foundation to build on? 

It doesn’t take a complete overhaul to spark creativity and growth. Sometimes, all it takes is one small change to reignite the spark. 

After all, BAU stands for Business as Usual, not Boring as Usual!