When your alarm goes off for work, does it feel like Groundhog Day and you can’t be bothered?
If so, you’re far from alone.
We have 7 tips to get your work mojo back – for your sake, not your boss’
Since the pandemic, lots of us have grown disillusioned and demotivated with our careers.
Apparently, only 21% of Brits feel engaged at work, which has triggered a wave of “quiet quitting” – AKA putting in the least amount of effort without actually resigning.*
It might feel like beating the system to do the bare minimum and still get paid, but you could be doing yourself and your wellbeing a huge disservice.
Given that we’ll spend on average 90,000 hours at work in our lifetime, wouldn’t you rather feel inspired on the clock, than like you’re slogging through an endurance test?
The experts explain how…
Do Some Soul-Searching
Don’t assume that you’re jaded because of the day-to-day work itself.
“Sometimes we think work is the problem, when it’s actually other things impacting how we’re feeling and how we’re showing up at our job,” says Ruth Kudzi, founder of Optimus Coach Academy.
“It might be issues in your relationship or family, financial worries, or lifestyle factors, like lack of sleep.
“Take a step back and reflect. Ask yourself: ‘What is going on? How am I feeling about different aspects of my life?’
” It’s about pinpointing the problem. Write your thoughts down or talk it through with somebody impartial outside of work.
“If it is to do with lifestyle, identify what has to change, what support you need and who can provide that – be it your GP, a therapist or friend.”
Focus On The Positives
GettyIf you want to rekindle your motivation, you need to switch your mindset[/caption]
As tempting as it is to obsess over the negatives, if you want to rekindle your motivation, you need to switch your mindset.
“We must actively choose how we process our experiences and make the decision to maintain what is known as ‘constructive thinking patterns’,” says Dr Lynda Folan, workplace psychologist and managing director of Inspired Development.
“Say someone is rude to you at work, you have two choices: become destructive in your thinking – take it as a personal slight and become demotivated – or choose to process this more positively by thinking: ‘It probably isn’t personal, they could just be having a bad day,’ which will allow you to maintain motivation.”
Catch negative thoughts early and practise seeing things positively.
“Find a mentor who will call you out on your destructive thinking.
This is a powerful way of getting perspective on situations, so you can stay motivated,” says Lynda.
Ask your HR team about mentorship schemes your organisation offers.
Set Yourself Goals
When you feel disengaged, it’s easy to let the days pass into weeks.
Before you know it, a year’s gone by and you’re more stuck than ever. “Getting clear about your goals, monitoring them and then recognising when you’ve achieved them is a key motivator,” says Lynda.
“A simple to-do list of the day’s tasks can be inspiring as we get a rush of endorphins every time we tick something off.”
“Think about where you want your career to go in the long-run and then backtrack so you can focus on the next 12 months,” she suggests.
“Ask yourself what you need to achieve in that period to make those goals happen – it might be a new skill, course or qualification – and then discuss how to implement it with your boss.
“This helps you create a career path you can refer to when you need that motivational prompt.”
Download the Strides app to set and tick off your goals.
Understand Your Purpose
GettyYou should make a list of the biggest sources of meaning in your life[/caption]
We need a sense of purpose to thrive in life and at work, otherwise things can begin to feel meaningless.
“You can’t underestimate the importance of defining your life purpose.
“It is key to feeling engaged at work and ensuring you maintain a good work-life balance,” says Lynda.
Organisational psychologist Adam Grant, who hosts the WorkLife podcast, recommends making a list of the biggest sources of meaning in your life, such as spending time with family or being in nature.
Then ask yourself: ‘Why is this a source of meaning?’ until you reach a core value.
For example, you may like being in nature because it gives you a sense of adventure.
Once you know what your values are, you can integrate them into your life, as you’ll be able to identify what you love about your role and see where you need a new career challenge.
Become A ‘Joiner’
Not feeling part of a team can kill your drive.
Without camaraderie, you miss out on people having your back and knowing that others rely on and appreciate you.
A sense of healthy competition vanishes too.
“Having that social network means people feel more valued, heard and supported, so think how you can proactively improve that, especially if you work remotely, are new to a team, or are naturally introverted,” says Ruth.
“Go for a coffee with someone or catch up with a colleague on Zoom during your lunch break, spend more time with people when you’re in the office, and go along to any social events. It might mean pushing yourself out of your comfort zone to build those connections, but the benefits are worth it.”
See if your company has clubs or networks you can join to build connections beyond your immediate team, too.
Talk With Your Boss
You can feel seething resentment all you like, but things are unlikely to change unless you do something about it.
Start by having an honest conversation with your boss.
“Whatever the reason for your discontent – whether you feel you have too much autonomy and require more guidance and structure, feel like you’re being micromanaged, need more feedback or want equitable pay – it’s about owning these conversations and being transparent with your manager,” says Ruth, who adds that happy workers have been found to be 13% more productive.**
“It is in everybody’s interests to have these conversations. Make an appointment with your manager and let them know you’d like to talk about your professional development.
“If it’s somewhere you are valued, you can work towards a solution, and if not, it’s a sure sign you need to embark on a new chapter elsewhere.”
Know When To Leave
GettyYou should for opportunities within the same company, even if it’s a temporary swap[/caption]
If you work for a reasonable organisation but still feel demotivated, Lynda suggests looking for opportunities within the same company, even if it’s a temporary swap “to freshen up your skills and feel energised”.
But not all companies are made equal – some are sadly toxic.
“A toxic workplace can erode your resilience and self-esteem,” says Lynda.
“We know that these workplaces have a similar effect on our brains as trauma, and there comes a point when you need to find another job.”
Source: *Gallup, **Oxford University Saïd Business School