Anyone else struggling to get work done - motivation

[Jolie12345]

Hi all. First thread here, I just want to know if I’m alone. I am reading a lot of people are struggling to wfh due to simultaneously homeschooling (which I am) but not much about people’s general ability to get things done at the moment. I’ve wfh for years and never had any problems with productivity but lately I just can seem to engage. I know people are working crazy hours to fit everything in and juggling various obligations, but are you actually doing all you can when it comes to work? I don’t know if I’m distracted, struggling with the social isolation, or something else, but work feels so hard at the moment. Even the easiest task is taking me forever. I have every intention of working late getting up early but it’s just not happening. Anyone else feel like this? And are you worried about job security as a result? I know it seems like a simple solution would be to knuckle down and get on with it but I can sit looking at my screen for hours and feel like I’ve achieved nothing

Yes I empathise. A lot of work colleagues have said similar - concentration poor, distracted a lot, low energy towards the end of the day. Stress about the wider covid situation and lack of usual support networks has an impact on our productivity. Go easy on yourself X

Agree with both posts. I want to hibernate.

I really struggled with concentration and motivation at work from about early December onwards. I started mat leave last week and I was so annoyed with myself because I was working past midnight every night of my last week - which really wasn't what I wanted to be doing at 36 weeks! - because I was so behind on tying things up. I knew it would happen unless I cracked on, too, but I still just somehow couldn't make myself really focus and knuckle down until I absolutely, non-negotiably had to.

Thanks for that, made me feel better :)

This is pretty much a cycle for me (minute the baby). Procrastinating until something becomes urgent. Then stressing and working late to get it done. As soon as the pressure is off I lose all motivation again

Totally agree with all of this. I am the only one from my team wfh and I feel hugely side-lined and out of the loop. Very little (mainly no) communication from the rest of the team. Have taken to emailing them all to say Hi I am here if you need anything. On bad days I feel that I am being pushed out. Helped out in another area this week for a few hours and it was so nice to feel part of something and just be useful.

I feel exactly like this! And I’m in a new role so feel more vulnerable too. I need to be proving myself but it feels so hard right now to be motivated. Having joined the team remotely and only ever worked remotely, that adds to the demotivation as I don’t feel very connected with the organisation really and don’t have the existing colleague relationships etc that help make work enjoyable.

So you definitely aren’t alone. It helps a bit if I try and identify just one or two manageable things to try and achieve each day. Like you though, I feel like I almost need that pressure of things becoming more urgent.

I’ve also partly lost interest as I’ve started doing some freelancing just before I got this job and I think my heart is more with that. I think I’d find working from home easier if it was for myself and more on my own terms.

I’ve worked from home a bit in previous jobs and it’s not been such a problem, but this is an unusual case!

My motivation is decreasing but in my case it's because my role is very rapidly changing. It used to be varied and interesting but is changing into very entry level, monotonous job.

Not a good week this week, very nearly had a meltdown on the phone to a colleague. Long story short, I set up a project towards the end of last year, colleague has changed the process set up and balance of work, pretty much choosing what she wants to do. Rather than discussing with me or anyone, redirected work streams, which for me now has an IG concern. I am so sick of being kept out of the loop and people assuming that I am WFH so have capacity because everyone on site is busy and special. So very frustrated by it all, had to try so very hard not to get upset whilst on the phone, it just seems like a never ending cycle of silo working. My confidence is at an all time low I know now I need to find a new role, as WFH has just brought to the forefront all the cliques there are and how I just don't fit in.

This is an interesting point @Lightsareonnobodyshome

There is a lot of talk about people not going back into offices and how the working world has changed. But I have seen the same issues in the business I work for. Silos being created, by mistake rather than design, important steps and people being missed from processes, very disjointed approach to everything. I think professional business leaders will see what’s happening but there will be some that try to be progressive and it will cause more harm long term

Yes! I’m counting down to my mat leave as I’m finding work really hard. I get through what I need to do without putting extra effort in. Just can’t be bothered!

Yes, I’m hearing this a lot from people - probably linked to pandemic fatigue. Hang on in there x

Also in a new role and struggling with motivation. Being on boarded remotely and feel rather forgotten about. They assume I know stuff which no one has actually told me about. Am also sending chats to people offering to help but to be honest my heart's not in it. I feel tired and like I can't be bothered and I suspect they all think the same, we have no connection as never met IRL. Plodding through every day looking forward to the weekend.

I am self employed and sometimes I dont feel like getting out of bed, getting washed etc because there is no one to make me. Then as OP has stated I sit and stare at the computer and dont seem to get much done.

I deal with days like this by looking after myself.

I divide the difficult and disliked tasks up into bite sized chunks, and set myself goals. I try to start with the easier bits which then gets me into the mood for work. I promise myself a reward like a nice frothy coffee when I reach XXX. That way I manage to get through the morning. From lunch time its all downhill.

Dont forget the very simple motivation of making a list and checking the jobs (or parts of jobs) off as you go. You may never finish everything on the list but seeing those ticks mounting up as the days goes on is a great motivator.