Low work motivation in month 5 WFH

[Blankspace4]

Just returned from a week off (in the U.K.) and finding it really hard to get re-motivated for working at home.

I started this job, which is quite a senior position, just before lockdown so it doesn’t help that I’ve never met the vast majority of colleagues. I don’t have a team as such, but I get invited to a lot of conference calls / zoom meetings. I don’t feel I’ve bonded with anyone and it all just feels like such a tedious miserable slog.

There is no prospect of going back to the office this year and I’m just finding it really miserable. I’m getting work done but the pace or enthusiasm isn’t there, though I’m doing a decent job of faking it. Any tips of how I can re-energise myself or cope better?

The company I work for all works remotely in normal times. One of the things we try to encourage especially for new staff is coffee breaks calls. 10-15 min in 1 on 1 or small groups just to chat about anything that's not work. It feels a bit awkward to schedule in this time but it really helps to try and humanise your colleagues and build relationships.

I like that idea @CatBatCat as it feels like all of my meetings are the heavy duty, agenda’d type.

In my prior role (for a different company) I ran a team and had a very active work/social life too so I’m really feeling like a fish out of water.

I got through the first few months on momentum and busied myself with learning and introductions but can’t seem to pick myself up again now I’ve had a break