We all have times in our professional lives when we feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unmotivated. With so much competition for our attention, finding the focus and motivation to dig ourselves out can be difficult. This article explores techniques and strategies to help bolster motivation levels and return to a path of success.
Table of Contents:
1. What Causes Professional Apathy?
2. Reassessing Priorities and Goals
3. Setting Actionable and Achievable Objectives
4. Connecting with Inspiring Mentors and Colleagues
5. Establishing Habits and Rituals That Foster Motivation
1. What Causes Professional Apathy?
Several factors can cause apathy and profound stagnancy at work or in a career. Most prominently, many people reach times in their careers when they don’t feel adequately challenged, stimulated, or rewarded. This leads to a sense of despondency and a lack of motivation. Additionally, the complexities of balancing professional, personal, and familial obligations can be overwhelming and cause feelings of being stuck in a rut.
2. Reassessing Priorities and Goals
Reassessing goals, both work-related and personal ones, can help create clarity as to one’s priorities, which can, in turn, lead to more motivation. High-level goals may have shifted radically since they were formulated, and taking stock of that reality can provide a newfound sense of purpose and reignite the ambition and drive to work.
3. Setting Actionable and Achievable Objectives
Setting actionable and achievable objectives can provide an initial motivation shot, making progressing beyond the current stagnant state much easier. While it is common for us to be ambitious and make goals that are ultimately too large and complex to complete, it’s important to take stock of our current skill set and available resources to establish a reasonable and achievable path forward.
4. Connecting with Inspiring Mentors and Colleagues
Disconnecting from the current environment can be just what one needs to start relaxing and reset. As a part of this, it is essential to cultivate relationships with inspiring people or even reconnect with those already in our network. Seeing the successes of mentors and colleagues can give us the drive and aspiration to accomplish similar feats and contribute to the societal good.
5. Establishing Habits and Rituals That Foster Motivation
Establishing habits and rituals are great ways to foster motivation and help break out of a rut. Consider scheduling regular check-ins with yourself, like a weekly review, to assess productivity and make any course corrections necessary. Additionally, making conscious efforts to unplug and spend quality time with family and friends can act as a necessary reset that helps refocus and reinvigorate tackling life’s many obligations.
Finally, putting yourself in environments and situations that foster learning and development, as well as exposing yourself to research and content on related topics, can help you see the bigger picture. At the end of the day, these motivational strategies can be just what you need to break out of even the most difficult ruts.