Can't seem to muster up the enthusiasm to get through the day? All of us can relate to that feeling. It turns out that as many as 70% of workers are unhappy with their jobs. It has a negative impact on their efficiency, originality, and output.
Obviously, no one is permanently inspired.
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There are mornings when you're so eager to get to work that you rouse yourself from sleep well before your alarm goes off. And then there are the days when you fail to get anything done and instead procrastinate all day. It's normal for our motivation to fluctuate based on factors like biology, emotions, relationships, and thoughts and beliefs. Conditions aren't ideal every day, of course.
It's normal to experience periods of low productivity every once in a while. But what happens if you haven't felt motivated to work for a while?
Recognizing the causes of your persistent lack of motivation is the first step in finding a solution.
(Photo from the wires)
4 reasons why we lose motivation on the job and what to do with it
1. Not being adaptable enough
According to the results of a number of studies, giving workers some control over their work schedules makes them happier and more committed to their jobs. People in today's workplace would prefer the freedom to put in their hours at their own pace and from their own location. With permission, they may gain interest in working altogether.
What to do:
Think about the kind of freedom you'd like to have in your work schedule and how that compares to the needs of your employer and your position. Is it possible, for instance, to be a sales manager while working from home? Probably so, especially if you're peddling software. Not really if you're in the auto sales business.
Knowing what is fair to ask for will prepare you for negotiations with your manager; come up with a specific offer, emphasize the win-wins, and be willing to compromise.
2. Feeling unappreciated
Far too often, managers fail to acknowledge employees' achievements, despite a survey showing that 53% of workers would remain with the company for longer if they were shown greater appreciation.
What to do:
Think about how much acknowledgment you can reasonably expect before taking any action. If you feel as though your efforts are being overlooked, suggest a meeting with your supervisor to go over your accomplishments and areas for growth. Take the time to think of concrete examples that will help your manager understand how valuable you are to the company.
3. Inability to progress
When employees lack motivation, it's often because they aren't challenged enough or aren't getting the recognition they deserve at work or don't see any opportunities for advancement within the company.
What to do:
If you can think of anything that might help, write it down. You should make your voice heard if you believe there are opportunities for the firm in the company that you would be qualified to fill. Keep track of your successes and negotiate a raise when the time is right. If you're not challenged in your current position, try seeking them out in a different setting. If you continue to feel hopeless and unmotivated in your current position, it may be time to look for something better.
4. Unreasonable workload
One study found that when people have too much work to do, their morale and motivation plummet. The health and happiness of workers are also impacted by this. People can lose their drive to succeed if they've been feeling exhausted and stressed for an extended period of time.
What to do:
Use dependable time-tracking software to examine your time at work and see where it goes. The next step is to figure out what can be scrapped, automated ,or handed off to another person.
Perhaps you spend a considerable portion of your day making offers to clients, a relatively straightforward activity that could be performed by a coworker. Or, perhaps you can suggest the inclusion of a pricing page on the business's website, to which you can direct all of the interested customers.
