9 ways feel motivated at work again

Motivation is a fickle beast. Sometimes it comes easily, other times it’s like trying to catch the wind. Your motivation at work can flow depending on a variety of factors. When you first get started in your career, you might have an abundance of enthusiasm for the work you do. But over time, that motivation can start to wane. 

You might find yourself dreading going into work every day or feeling like there’s no point in putting in the effort. Without motivation, you risk falling into a rut where your job no longer excites you or challenges you in new ways. 

The way you deal with these situations will determine how long you last at work and how soon you look for another job. 

It’s important to keep yourself motivated at work so that you continue seeing positive results from all of your effort. When you lose focus and enthusiasm for your job, it can also have negative effects on both your performance and attitude. 

Thankfully, there are ways to reignite your passion for your job and become more motivated at work again.

1. Change up your routine

If you’re stuck in a repetitive cycle of tasks that have no real meaning, you may be missing out on opportunities to improve processes and make an impact on your organization’s bottom line.

Some people need an office change or a new project to help them regain their enthusiasm for work. Others need to get out of the house and into nature, or spend some time with friends and family members who bring them joy.

If you’ve been working at the same desk for years, try moving somewhere else — even if it’s just across the room — and see how that changes things up for you. Maybe your new location will trigger some ideas about how to improve processes or make things more efficient in general.

If you’ve been working on something for a long time without seeing any results, try doing something different for awhile — even if that means giving up on the project completely (which is sometimes necessary). Switching gears may help give you new perspective on what needs to be done next

2. Set goals and be accountable

Get back on track with your goals. If you’re not sure what your goals are or where you’re headed in life, that can lead to feelings of apathy at work. Take time to figure out what you want out of life, and then make sure that each day is helping you get there in some way — even if it’s just one small step toward something bigger than yourself.

Set reasonable goals for yourself that can be accomplished within a reasonable time frame. If you have a long-term goal, break it down into smaller steps so it’s easier to keep track of your progress. Setting realistic goals gives you something tangible to focus on each day. 

It also helps put things into perspective when things aren’t going well; if a project isn’t going as well as you’d hoped, looking back at all the other projects that went well can help restore your confidence and get you back on track.

3. Try something new

Get out of your comfort zone and try something new — even if it doesn’t seem like it will help. It’s amazing how different something can feel once you change just one small aspect of your routine.

Get involved in something outside of work that interests you. Finding an outlet outside of work will give your mind something else to focus on, which will make the time spent at work more enjoyable and less stressful overall. 

It’s also good practice for managing multiple priorities and commitments effectively — an important skill for anyone who wants to advance their career in any capacity.

4. Talk to someone you trust

Ask for feedback from colleagues who work with or for you. Hearing from someone else will give you an objective opinion (and possibly some ideas) about how to improve things at work — especially if they’re willing to give constructive criticism without judgment or negativity).

5. Celebrate small wins

Reward yourself when tasks are completed successfully — even if they’re small ones! This helps reinforce good behavior. 

Celebrating your successes along the way will make you feel more confident about your work and will improve your motivation and enthusiasm for your job.

6. Find activities that energize you

What do you enjoy doing? What do you find relaxing? What makes you happy? When you know what makes you tick, then it’s easier to figure out how to get yourself out of bed each morning.

Once you’ve identified what motivates you, try new things at work that will allow you to spend more time doing those things. For example, if working on projects with other people energizes you, then look for opportunities where this might happen more often — such as joining a committee or volunteering for an event.

If helping others makes your day better, then give some of your free time at work helping out around the office or mentoring someone who needs extra support in their role.

7. Rediscover why you like your job

If you’ve been doing the same job for years, it can be easy to lose sight of why you do what you do every day. Take time to reflect on what motivates you and how your work contributes to the greater good of society or your community in order to find fulfillment again in your job.

8. Take time to recharge

Don’t sit at your desk all day without taking a break from time to time. Get up from your desk, walk around or go for a quick walk outside if weather permits. Taking breaks will help prevent fatigue from setting in and improve your overall mental health as well as productivity levels

The change in scenery might just be enough to remind you why you like your job in the first place.

9. Ask for help

Get outside help. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from colleagues who might be able to provide perspective from another point of view.

This can help you identify the source of your lack of enthusiasm. You can figure out if you’re bored with life or with your job. If you’re bored with your job, it might be time for a change.

💡If you want to stay motivated at job, it’s important to create boundaries with your boss or coworkers. Here’s 8 tips to help you create limits at work. Read more here →