How to get motivation back at work

[Fridaysnamechange]

I started a new job just over a year ago - so during Covid. I've been wfh full time but expect to be in the office part time later in the year.

It's a sector I've worked in for 20 years. I like the work. I don't dislike the role but it's far from perfect.

I just feel like I've hit a complete roadblock recently. I don't have an ounce of motivation left. Every work day is a struggle and I'm not completing enough work and it's therefore creating a backlog. I probably also do have too much work to complete anyway but I've raised that and it's not going to change. Yes, my MH isn't great but it's also been worse than this and I've coped. I've also taken steps to address it but it hasn't got me out of this hole.

I don't think my job is in immediate danger but my poor motivation levels have been noted and it's the kind of company where that results in added pressure more than it does in any kind of support. If it goes on, I will be in danger of losing my job.

I think there are a lot of people in the same boat at the moment. If this is you what are you doing to keep on track?

Bump.

It's likely a lot of those who work are actually working, unlike me looking at MN when I'm supposed to be working.

I don't know what the answer is, but I'm having similar problems. It's so frustrating isn't it!

I'm feeling a bit the same - totally lost my focus. I was hoping I would be able to get some space in the summer to rejuvenate and come back more enthusiastic, but it's just getting worse ... I don't really have any answers other than to press on as best you can and hope it passes - maybe others will have better ideas?

I feel like I spiral. I don't get enough work done, then the pressure of the amount I have to do means I withdraw from it even more.

The way I feel today, I could happily just hand in my notice, but it's not an option. I need this job and this income. It wouldn't be easy to find a new job that suits me and I'm not sure if it would resolve my issues anyway.

Don't spend too long on lists or planning. Do your worst piece of work first each day leaving easier stuff for later on.

Be ruthless in shredding paperwork.dont keep stuff just in case

(Obv keep to any statutory guidance)

Put all your work to do in one pile and start from the top.

Procrastination is the thief of time

Can you go back to the office full time sooner? It may help as you wouldn't have other distractions. While you are WFH switch off your personal devices and put them in a different room. Work and only work during work hours. Leave the house when you finish work even if just to walk round the block. When you get back you don't restart work so you have some boundaries.

It sounds harsh but you have to remove all other distractions and force yourself to get on and do it.

This is all good advice that I need to put into practice when I can muster up the motivation

Can you take some annual leave and take a holiday to recharge your batteries so to speak? Maybe a change will help ?
I had this recently, however I work in dementia services and am expected to try and entertain people all day. Instead they were all irritating me and getting on my nerves, although of course I did not let it show. At times like this I tend to know I need to book some annual leave just to get away from the place.

Go back to the office if possible.

I had the same thing over the last year and recently just cut my losses and changed jobs.

I'm so, so unmotivated at the moment. It's appalling - I have a job I love, paid extremely well for, loads of flexibility and still I am just so lazy and can't face any of it.

I'm pregnant and have pretty poor mental health just now but those are no excuses. I'm just not interested.

Going to set small goals today and try to achieve them all. I find lists quite helpful.

First job - switch off MN

Same here. I’m working out my notice, but the job I do has to be done as there are right deadlines to meet. I just can not be arsed. But then I end up working later to get it done. I’m in a massive hole which I’m struggling to get out of

My annual leave is all allocated to time with DC, so while it is time away from work, it's still quite full on.

I think this is part of the problem. I'm a single mum and have been for a long time, so I have little support and a lot on in my home life. At work, I have no support from above (I've made it clear this is an issue for me but I don't expect things to change) and none below as we're a small company, so although I am senior and manage a team there's no one to delegate to. The complete responsibility for everything is overwhelming.

It sounds miserable Fridays.

You haven't been there long so you probably don't feel that personally invested - e.g. like it's a team that you're fully part of and draw motivation from helping?

The stuckness of the things you say won't change is also probably part of the problem. Are you senior enough to decide for yourself that you're going to drop or downgrade some parts of your workload?

Don't discount that you could look for another job in this sector, one with less potential for overwhelm and stuckness. You don't HAVE to make this one work.

Smaller scale tips:

A reward after every task - e.g., if I get this done, then I can read a MN thread. or go for a quick walk. or just stand outside with a cuppa. If the tasks are too long for this then after 45 mins work or something.

It helps me to make my day's to do list as short as possible. Take 2 or 3 jobs from the long to do list, then hide the long list, and work through the 2 to 3 jobs (with rewards in between). Then if you can tick all 3 off you can have that sense of "completion" at the end of the working day, to try to rise above the to do list anxiety.

if things are really low then just put ONE thing on the day's to do list!