The question is why are you bored? If you’re well paid and important to your company, there must be a way to challenge yourself. Ever think of asking your boss, “Hey Mick, I’m bored out of my skull, any chance of something new being thrown my way?” That’s normally a good start. If that fails then you get drastic.

One of my clients is a man worth nearly €200million. Who started with nothing. I asked him the obvious ‘secret of his success’ question. His answer stunned me: debt. He told me, every time he got his head above water, he invested himself straight back into hock, and started paddling frantically. Not many people can handle that kind of constant stress. But sometimes it’s a useful catalyst to get you past your biggest risk - stasis - waiting for ‘something to change’ or ‘something to come along.’ If your boss doesn’t respond to your request for more challenge, set a date in your head for departure and stick to it.

Research shows that once you pass about €40,000, your salary makes little impact on your happiness. So get ready to jump in above your depth. And paddle hard.

Eoghan McDermott is Director of Careers, The Communication Clinic . www.communicationsclinic.ie