Decoding emotional intelligence
Motivation doesn't come out of thin air. In fact, there is quite a lot to it. When it comes to motivation to work specifically, we've all had times when we were just not feeling it. But there is a difference between occasional lack of motivation and finding ourselves struggling to find the strength to do our jobs on a regular basis.
In this gallery, we explore the reason why you might be lacking motivation to work, and what to do about it. Click on.
Feeling overwhelmed and not knowing where to start can make us freeze. If we feel we can’t tackle a particular project, then our motivation will certainly be affected.
A certain degree of perfectionism can be helpful, but too much of it can become dysfunctional. You may find that things are never good enough, and this may demotivate you to continue pursuing such a high standard.
We need something to challenge and drive us. There must be a goal, and there must be a degree of difficulty or variety involved in achieving it. Even at monotonous jobs, it’s possible to introduce a challenging element. If you don’t have that, you will likely disengage.
It’s easy to become disengaged with what you’re doing if you have no interest in it. Trying to figure out why your work isn’t engaging should help you understand which direction to take (which may well be to find another job).
Not feeling appreciated is a motivation killer. Some people need more feedback than others, but feeling that you work means something is really important.
A salary is more than just a number. It's about being recognized for the quality of your work and your professional capabilities. If you’re not being paid enough for your work, you’ll end up losing interest in performing to the best of your ability.
There must be some sort of purpose to your job. If you don’t believe in what you’re doing, you will not feel motivated to do it. You might disagree with how and why the job is done, not be aligned with the company’s values, etc. It must make sense in the first place.
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, but if you’re not using your best capabilities in your job, you might not feel like your skillset is being used to its fullest potential.
A lack of direction at work can really be demotivating. If you’re told to perform tasks without knowing the big picture is a bit like being told to run without knowing the distance.
It’s normal to have expectations. If you put the work in, you expect a certain result. If this never happens, then you start to question if your work was all in vain. Of course, this is not to say you shouldn’t be patient, but even patience has limits.
A lack of support can really get to you. And we’re not just talking about support at work. While it’s very important to have supportive managers and colleagues, it is also key to those around us to support our career choices, including friends and family.
For one reason or another, our self-confidence sometimes takes a hit. Perhaps you feel like an impostor, that you’re not supposed to be doing the role you’ve been chosen for. Whatever has knocked your self-confidence, it’s always possible to rebuild it.
A certain degree of stress is desirable, but too much of it can ruin our motivation. Excessive stress can have a big impact on motivation levels.
Feeling burnt out can lead not only to a lack of motivation, but to a number of other issues, both mental and physical. Sometimes, the only way to deal with it is to stop completely, but there are a few things that can be done to avoid reaching such high levels of stress.
This may be a symptom related to a number of conditions, but it can just be a sign that something is not quite right. If you can’t focus on your job, you surely don’t feel like doing it.
There is nothing wrong with a bit of competition, but constantly comparing yourself to others will only lead to disappointment. Measure your success against your own metrics, not by comparing yourself to others. Doing so will make it harder for you to get up in the morning and face yet another day where you won’t be as good as your colleague at a certain task.
Change is important, and indeed useful, but too much of it can make you feel scattered and unfocused. This change can occur at work and in other areas of your life. It’s all connected.
If you feel like every single move you make is being monitored and that you’re not trusted, then it’s only natural that you will feel unmotivated to work.
Job security is not what it used to be, but it helps to get your role and contract defined. If you find yourself wondering if you might not have a job when you wake up the next day, then that’s why you might not feel motivated to work.
Toxic workplaces manifest in many ways, including poor management, lack of opportunities, favoritism, and bullying, to name a few. All of these and more can really affect your motivation.
Not getting enough sleep and poor quality sleep can really affect your motivation to work.
Like sleep, your diet can really affect both your mental and physical health. Without proper nutrition, your motivation to work will likely go down.
Exercising is a healthy habit that can do wonders for your health. This will reflect on your well-being and overall motivation for life, including work.
You may have identified one or more of the aforementioned points as reasons for your lack of motivation, so what to do? Well, there are a few coping mechanisms that can help you get through those days when you’re just not feeling it.
It’s important to break tasks down into small achievable steps. It’s a lot easier to write a paragraph than an entire chapter, right?
Set up realistic goals, and schedule them as best as you can. Preparation is key for dealing with a lack of motivation.
Ask yourself how you can make work more enjoyable. What would that look like? Maybe you can do things differently.
Good sleep hygiene, eating a healthy balanced diet, and exercising, can really go a long way in how you feel and how you respond to challenges. If you’re motivated to take care of yourself, everything else will be just a little bit easier.
Sometimes you really need to rely on your friends and family. Building relationships that will offer your support when you need it brings you stability and confidence.
Sometimes we just can’t deal with certain things on our own. Seeking professional help is needed at times, and you should definitely do so if that’s the case.
Sources: (Nulab) (BetterUp)
See also: Proven strategies to boost motivation and achieve your goals
Why you have no motivation to work (and what to do about it)
What to do when you’re just not feeling it
LIFESTYLE Work
Motivation doesn't come out of thin air. In fact, there is quite a lot to it. When it comes to motivation at work specifically, we've all had times when we were just not feeling it. But there is a difference between occasional lack of motivation and finding ourselves struggling to find the strength to do our jobs on a regular basis.
In this gallery, we explore the reason why you might be lacking motivation to work, and what to do about it. Click on.