10 weeks left at work and feeling completely unmotivated

[pasturesnew]

Any tips or is it OK that I feel I have really "checked out" now - there is not much to do at work at the moment and I am really really bored. I would start maternity leave earlier but that would cost a lot of money! Anyone else in the same boat?

[EyeballsandherSunburntNorks]

No but I remember it well and I sympathise. I lost interest at about the same stage and I used to have to bite my tongue so I didn't actually tell people out loud that I coudln't have really given a toss which way they did something, particularly if it was something planned for when I'd gone.

Fraid you just have to ride it out. It drove me nuts though but you'll kick yourself if you leave too early.

[PootleTheFlump]

Feel exactly the same, just counting it down really! My DH keeps saying, "you do realise you're not on mat leave yet don't you!"

It's so hard to care about anything else, and in a way I think it is right that there is little space in your head for work. A whole new person is growing inside you and will arrive in the autumn and take over your world. Why would we be interested in whether coffee money should be paid weekly or monthly? !!

I think most people understand and realise that you're not at your most productive right now. I have willingly "carried" so many preg colleagues over the years, and think your colleagues probably realise what's going on but hopefully don't mind! No tips I'm afraid, just head down and power on!

[pasturesnew]

Luckily work is quiet at the moment so noone should need to "carry" me but I feel some need in my v corporatey workspace to show that women colleagues are worthy of respect etc. at all times. Bah. Am working from home today because my train station was closed and have not really been very productive.

[pasturesnew]

not sure why I wrote "workspace" rather than "workplace". Corporate b*llx to it all.

[KatyS36]

Hmmmm,

I'm 23 weeks and know what you mean.

However, I'm also telling myself that if I'm being paid my full salary I ought to at least be trying, plus I do feel responsibility for women further down the career ladder and don't want to jepordise their future chances.

Also with all the physical changes, and lots of midwife hassle, I quite like the fact I'm still valued for my brain

[pasturesnew]

What do you do to stay motivated then? It doesn't help that I've been stuck at home today, much prefer working from the office. This is my 2nd pregnancy and I've been back at work for over a year and a half now so am surprised that the boredom is hitting me so badly. I think, as said above, the hormonal impact isn't helping but actually I think maybe my job is just boring now, last time round my team was still really busy but we are feeling the downturn more than somewhat.

[KatyS36]

I guess I'm in a fortunate position, in that I've got an interesting job (generally), a great boss I like and respect (generally) and some great colleagues. I want to make things as easy as possible for them after I go.

Also I've got a permanent senior position in science, something that I worked really hard to get, and work predominantly with men. I do feel that if I'm seen to not care any more it will make it harder for women behind me.

Whilst my baby is really wanted, there are a lot of things I haven't liked about pregnancy, including generally being patronised by the medical professions and the wolly food advice. I really like the fact that, whilst my work are being really sympathetic from a physical perspective (I've got to addrss the board tomorrow, and my boss has said he'll make sure there is a chair available!) I like the fact that I'm still taken prefessionally, despite looking like a mini hefalump

Finally, I don't want to be 'mummy-tracked' when I return, and so to me the work starts now.

Having said all this though, I recently screwed up a key meeting as I had had a really bad night and didn't feel fit to drive. The baby is certainly my priority, I'm just trying to think how hard I have work to get to where I am, and where I want to be afterwards.

[BabyBump2B]

I have 3 weeks to go and I have to admit it takes every fibre in my body to just get out of bed in the morning. If I could go off sooner I def would because just the extra sleep time would be heaven.

I set myself a few to-do's each day but I am hardly what you would call motivated!

[xxhunnyxx]

I was in the same boat as you so I went to the Dr's and they signed me off for a week, I told them that I was just totally exhausted and struggling to cope with everythin (kinda the truth) and they happilly gave me a sick note just stating 'pregnancy related'.
I just had a week off taking it easy and catching up with friends etc and I felt a lot move positive and motivated when I went back to work, if I'd not had that week off I don't know how I would have made it to the end.
It's a little bit naughty I know but it worked for me. I even found that I missed people a bit whilst I was off so was kinda glad to go back to work.

[Freyfreysmum]

I am 25 weeks and have 11 weeks left at work. This is no2, and I came back to work last Oct after a year off. Have to say, my boss is great, my job is (on the whole) very interesting, and touch wood, largely stress free. I think the way I stay motivated is to appreciate this lull before the storm lol of two rugrats exhausting me 24/7 come october. Also agree with previous posters, that in a sense I do feel I owe it to my company, and also to my replacement lol to ensure things are all up to date and good for when she takes over. Hope everything goes well for you !

[Longtalljosie]

Hunny may be on to something - maybe you need a week's leave? I know it's at a premium as you approach mat leave, but 10 weeks is a long time.

I've got 4 weeks left and am disgustingly, bone-achingly tired. But I'm also concerned that I put myself in the best position for when I return to work, so am trying to square the circle... if I can...

[Pinkcaz]

Hi All

I have 7 weeks left and feel the same!

I must admit was worse when I was at about 10 weeks as it felt like a lifetime away where as now I can definately seen the light at the end

My work isn't very challenging and in the less busy periods it does drag but I just keep working towards getting everything tidy for the person taking over - however when the people come up to me with boring none important jobs I just think hmmm I wonder if i'm lucky enough for this to last out until I have left - naughty I know!

Keep smiling as the time will come and then you'll forget you were even sat here wishing the weeks away

x

[NorthernLurker]

Well I was very motivated right till I went on maternity leave. Put together some really good stuff for guidance etc whilst I was away - I even produced a pandemic flu plan for business continuity (this was two years ago - pre swine flu!) What was my reward......

My maternity replacement got the promotion that was coming up instead of me and when I went back to work he was my boss! I left shortly thereafter...

Now this may sound like a depressing tale and I did sort of think why did I bother? But I was also very glad that I had stuck it out till 37 weeks because otherwise I would have had to go back to said crap situation when my baby was younger. If work is ok now then just stick it out because you really don't know what you'll be going back to!

[lupa]

I have five weeks left at work, but I'm so busy I don't have much time to feel demotivated. Having said that though, I can't wait till my replacement starts in a week's time so I can start getting all this stuff out of my brain and start filling it with what sort of pram to get and what kind of nappies I'm going to use...

[ceebie]

OMG! I think I must have a dual personality and have signed in under another name and written this post without remembering. Pastersnew, are you actually me but I don't recall? I could have written every last word - although now that it's Wednesday we're down to 9 1/2 weeks left at work...

[Hawkmoth]

I'm signed off work with SPD and miss the concentration that working brings. However, I'm working on an urgent project right now, and feel hassled, as my intellect seems to be totally focussed on baby 'to-do' lists, birthplans and researching!

I'd really wanted to work as long as possible, but the pelvis won that battle!