It’s completely normal to feel unmotivated at times, especially about work. Yet while these feelings are normal, they can become a serious distraction if they linger or intensify. So what can you do when that feeling of being unmotivated for work just won’t go away? Below you’ll find a few simple exercises you can try to give you the jump-start of motivation you need.
Look for ways your work impacts the people around you: Often we get hung up on the day-to-day of our tasks and ignore the larger picture. However, it’s this connection to a larger purpose that helps us find meaning and motivation at work. But what if your job doesn’t make a huge impact? That’s fine. We’re not only talking about some grand, world-changing impact here. In fact, few jobs will make such a massive change in the world. Instead, experts say it’s better to think about how your work has helped the people you spend your day with. According to one study, personal connections are one of the most motivating factors we have.
Give someone else advice on how to feel motivated: In an article in the MIT Sloan Management Review, researchers described a series of experiments where they asked people struggling with motivation and self-control to advise others on the exact problems they were facing. What they found was that while giving advice provides no new information to the advice giver, it can raise confidence, which can help galvanize motivation.
Ride the “motivation wave”: You can’t expect to be motivated all the time. Instead, it’s better to take advantage of when you are motivated. Ride what one Stanford Professor describes as the “motivation wave”, a time span where you’re feeling practically inclined to get things done. The key, however, isn’t just to use this wave to get something done today but to use that rush of motivation to set up systems that will help you when your motivation isn’t as high.
Ask if your workplace is to blame for your lack of motivation: Feeling unmotivated or uninspired isn’t just a personal problem. It can also be an organizational issue. If your work environment is toxic, perhaps it’s time to ask yourself whether your job is really the one for you.
Give yourself some space, and take on a hobby or project you enjoy: Finally, that lack of motivation might also come from a lack of work-life balance. When we’re trapped in the cult of busyness, it’s impossible to feel motivated. That’s why it’s vital you give yourself to rest and engage in something different, like a hobby. When you disconnect from work, you regain the energy you need to get engaged when work comes around again.
