De-motivation in the workspace can be a decisive cue to your overall performance, indicating your mental exhaustion. Here are some helpful tips for coping with demotivation.
A variety of factors can cause demotivation, but in general, it is an emotional state frequently associated with being stuck or in a rut. You find it difficult to take action and feel that you are not accomplishing anything. Recent studies have shown that 48% of employers are dissatisfied with their current positions, and only 30% feel active and motivated at the workplace.
I know it’s not always easy to overcome the emotional barrier of getting things done when you’d rather sit on the couch. However, it is frequently necessary unless you have no consequences for calling in sick and waking up at noon.
Here are ways to identify and deal with demotivation in the workspace.
3 Reasons for feeling demotivated
- Lack of Purpose
Without having something to strive for, or goals to reach, there’s no reason to get up and do anything. So feeling like doing a lot of nothing is the general result. Motivation comes when you know your why. Ask yourself whether you have a meaningful connection to your work. If not, you may need to reevaluate what you’re doing.
- Unrealistic Goals
When the bar is so high that you can’t reach it, don’t believe you can achieve a goal, or are overwhelmed by how big it is, it’s much easier to avoid starting simply. Motivation comes from setting personal challenges for which you have to stretch yourself without being out of reach.
- Self Doubt
A lack of motivation is frequently caused by a lack of genuine belief in oneself and one’s abilities. For example, when you’re full of self-doubt, it’s challenging to begin a task or project because you’ve already decided it won’t turn out well, and you want to avoid failure.
These tips can help you regain your motivation
- Don’t think about it as hard work.
Consider it as part of molding yourself into the person you want to be. Once you’ve decided to do something, try not to think about how difficult, frustrating, or impossible it may be; instead, consider how good it must feel to be that or how proud you have to have done that. Make the difficult appear simple.
- Create small goals
Completing a large project can be challenging when you aren’t sure where to start. How can you finish when you have no perception of where you are creating? Take small steps rather than focusing on an important, frightening goal, and break the big idea into digestible pieces.
- Read daily
Even though setting aside reading time when you need the motivation to work hard may seem counterproductive, there are times when it’s essential to do something seemingly unrelated to tackle the task at hand. One way to have a lasting impact on your thought processes is by developing a daily reading habit that, in turn, inspires you to improve all aspects of your life.
- Set a quite time
It is unrealistic to expect to be energized and to want to plow through tasks all of the time. You need to take some time off and relax. Even if that means scheduling time to unplug or turn away from the demands of your job, do it. It’s likely to help you work harder and brighter during the long hours.
- Take five
Allow yourself five minutes away from work by taking a quick walk around the block, stretching at your desk, or getting a drink of water. When you’re struggling mentally at work, a five-minute break from what you’re doing can help you refocus. Schedule time in your day to indulge in your emotions. This allows you to return to your task refreshed and productive.
- Celebrate wins
Constantly waiting for the long-term awards allows you to forget the pressing small wins. And that is a challenge by itself to stay motivated and going if there is no reward within hand reach. Instead, try rewarding yourself with the small stuff, and don’t underestimate how enjoyable it is to acknowledge that tiny progress.
The best of us can become demotivated, but it is essential that you get back your purpose to push forward and live your best life.