Struggling at work - lost motivation and confidence

[JohnNutLips]

Would appreciate advice on how I can pull myself together please and come up with a plan of action please.

I work in IT for a global company, been with them 14 years and achieved several promotions, end of year reviews have been “exceeding” every year.
At the beginning of 2022 I was managing a portfolio of projects with 14 direct reports, very senior customer stakeholders and budget of around £5m.
The company then lost the contract for the area I work in and we had the option to tupe to new supplier (who had a bad rep - I didn’t want this), or find a new role in the Company.
I spoke with many areas and contacts and secured a role that I was assured was the same level as that I had been working in.
In the middle of the year I moved into the new area (I had an outstanding mid year performance review and was flagged for promotion).
The new role is not what was sold to me, and is a role I would have been doing 5 or 6 years ago - less responsibility, no direct line management, no financial responsibility.
I flagged this with my manager and was told to give it time and promises of an org change that would increase my responsibilities. This didn’t happen, the org change now means my day to day manager is someone I work alongside and is a grade below me. They have their own work and do not oversee any of mine.
I raised concerns again, higher up with the organisation and agreed I would rotate out of the role when my project finishes in April.
I have been looking at internal vacancies and having conversations with people about possible roles but nothing has come up.
I will not be in a position where I can evidence over achieving in my role and will no longer be a candidate for promotion. I can live with this if I am honest, although frustrating as I have had this forced upon me.
The bigger impact is on me day to day - I’m not challenged, I’m not busy, and I’m losing all motivation and confidence. I am getting upset while working from home and trying to figure out what I can do next, which is not like me at all. I find myself scrolling the internet for hours because I have nothing to do.
I feel like I should just look for another job elsewhere but no longer have the confidence to do this. I don’t want to have to start over again with no rights for 2 years after I have just increased my mortgage.

I am feeling pretty down today, so if anyone has any advice I am all ears.

I can understand that after 14 years at the same company you find it daunting to go back out to the job market but that seems to be the obvious answer. It doesn’t commit you to anything to look around, have a chat with some recruiters, test the waters. 14 years with the same company is a long time.

Also, is not part of this on your company to solve? You’ve had discussions with senior people who agree you need a new role in April. Why aren’t they invested in helping to retain you? Why’s it all on you to find that new role? Who can you nag - HR? a senior boss?

Ok, as someone who stayed with a company for a similar amount of time (longer) in fact, there does come a time when the roles & opportunity to push yourself dry up. It is easy to stay in a comfortable role with a company you know and this can erode your confidence. changing jobs will probably bring that motivation back.

There is zero harm in looking for other jobs, or even attending interviews. It at least gives you a feel for what is out there.

I regret staying so long at my last place …

@NoSquirrels yes I would have expected to be getting more support from the “people” managers and resourcing. I think the role I am looking for just isn’t there. I’m meant to be one of their shining stars and future leadership and they don’t seem very bothered.
time to update the CV and get out there 😬

@Brightshinylight thanks for your view, I am finding myself really frustrated by the whole company and processes. I think it is time to move on.

I’m meant to be one of their shining stars and future leadership and they don’t seem very bothered.

Then this is your moment, I reckon. Use your unaccustomed slow time to invest in yourself not in your company. Channel your motivation that’s missing from your job into your job hunt. Nothing ventured nothing gained.