To ask how to prioritise & stay motivated to get stuff done?

[Tikitaka20]

Hi all,

I’ve got a few different things I’d like to achieve this year. The main things are buying a house and getting a new job and, towards the end of the year, applying for a qualification. (Being deliberately vague as I know some family/friends are on here haha).

I’ve done quite a bit of prep for my application for the qualification, so that’s going to plan so far.

Re applying for a new job, I’m finding it a lot harder to stay motivated to achieve this. I work full-time in the public sector and am looking to apply for the next grade up. Luckily, I’ve had a lot of advice from people at work, but it’s still a difficult process. Any advice on how I can prioritise this and stay motivated to achieve it, whilst I fit it around my job and other stuff I’ve got going on? If possible, I’d prefer to focus on it on weekdays (eg in the early evenings after work) so my weekends are free for house hunting and just relaxing, to avoid overwhelm/burnout!

Re buying a house, I am in a good financial position to do it. I’ve looked into it on and off the last few years, but not properly committed (mainly because of the unpredictability of mortgage rates etc). I now feel ready to go ahead, and would really like to find somewhere this year. Any advice on how to stay motivated with getting it sorted, and prioritising it alongside my job search please?

Thanks all.

Try to follow the 'Just Do It' philosophy. There will always be a downside to every decision, but if you let that hold you back you will stay where you are. Focus on one thing first - the house or the job. Once that's achieved, go for number two. I don't know what else to suggest, but it takes a blind leap of faith at some point. Good luck!

Thank you! Everything you’ve said is very helpful. I do find it very hard to act on big decisions and just crack on. I think I find it comforting to just not do anything, because it keeps me in my comfort zone tbh. So I really appreciate your post.

Don't navel gaze too much, but ask yourself why you're putting the advancement in your career on the long finger.

Are you afraid of rejection? Failure? New responsibility? The New?

Is there a hint of imposter syndrome?

Assure yourself that you are the right person for the job you want, and that you are going to smash it once it's yours.

I'd focus on the job first, and dangle the house as the carrot to motivate you to get the job.

Thank you!

I think it’s because I’m worried about the fear of the unknown - that the job will be too difficult for me and that I won’t have a supportive manager or colleagues. Given this, I’m not seriously focusing on job hunting, and can stay in my comfort zone.

For context, I think I’m ready for a more senior and challenging role and would like to earn more. I’ve been in my current role for 4.5 years, and am not really enjoying it as I don’t really feel challenged, and I recently interviewed - but unsuccessfully - for a more senior role. But I have a great line manager and fab colleagues, so that’s helping me rationalise staying in my role.