I'm not sure how to get motivated about my job anymore.

19 Comments

1. Alexis GladstoneJanuary 29,2022 at 2:03PM UTC

   Hi. I think many of us have been in your situation. Do you know what it is that is making you feel this way? That's the first thing to do to help determine your next step.

   Here are some thoughts:

   Determine what you want that will provide you the challenge you are looking for. Because you like your organization, is there the possibility of moving to a new role? What about taking on additional responsibilities or a special project?

   If neither of this is an option, then definitely get your resume together and start looking. Since you are not desperate to leave, you can do a thoughtful job search were you really research the companies and roles.

2. AnonymousJanuary 29,2022 at 3:17PM UTC

   Seems like your problem is more the work and less the workplace. I would consider rotating within the company to explore a new kind of work. I would do this proactively because continuing to work where you feel disconnected will lead to burnout.

3. Mia FujiiJanuary 29,2022 at 4:53PM UTC

   Determine basis for your desire to try something new:

   First, Career Path: If there is an opportunity at your current company for promotion based on top performance keep track of your accomplishments and look for key opportunities to take on new responsibilities and shine. Present your contributions to your management and ask for the opportunity for advancement.

   If there is no opportunity for advancement in the current role it might be time to get out of the comfort of the known to try a new role at the current company or outside the company but only after carefully asking yourself about your career path desires.

   Determine if you are bored because you would rather lead a company, division, program or project first check current company if there are ways for you to add that to your background without leaving the company as sometimes management can add responsibility which creates new and interesting opportunities.

   If that doesn’t work, think about what would be interesting work for you then do your homework research companies and available positions that might interest you. Ask those companies questions to make sure you would be happier working elsewhere.

   Second, if it is that you need to feel more passionate about something…

   Other option is to stay put at your job…but find a new passion to do in your spare time.

   This will provide an extended network of contacts that could share a similar passion.

   Enables you opportunities to give back too, as sometimes when we think and give to others our talents and support it helps us feel extremely valuable and involved in something that matters.

   and…only mentioning these because really no one can give you the best answer for you. You will need to decide if you are really happy where you are at career wise and just need an outside passion to keep you happy or if it is really you hit your limit with the current role and are ready to get a bit out of that comfort zone and try something new.

   it may be you want a new hobby or development of a new skill or talent ideas could be to ask the people you most admire what they do outside of work to enjoy life (i.e. find out what they are passionate about). Some may sit on advisory boards for their Alma maters, others may donate time or funds to a favorite charity and are an officer for that charity, others might coach and mentor young children or students in sports or academic clubs or projects, and others may even own small businesses or others might be learning a new language or studying to earn a new degree or skill set, etc.

   I like to garden, read, write and do sports action photography…and coach and mentor as I have learned a lot along the way and like to share successful tips.

   Third, there is no pressure now to do anything different so spend this time to think about you and what you really want to make you happier …and there is no wrong answer as you may have to just try a few things out to see what really makes you happiest.

   Good luck on your new adventure …just note that life goes by quickly so if you really aren’t satisfied with where you are at try to find out why. Your gut instinct is probably telling you something so trust your instincts and do only what you think is best for you. If you have some trusted family or friends they too can offer some terrific input to consider. There is no harm in staying where you are at while you evaluate what feels right for you.

   Best of luck to you!

4. AnonymousJanuary 30,2022 at 12:12PM UTC

   Without growth and challenge you won't feel a spark. Without curiosity and interest you won't feel excitement.

5. Amy GeffenJanuary 30,2022 at 3:24PM UTC

   First, see if there are other opportunities within your company. Talk to your manager to get new projects or assignments that will challenge you. If neither of those strategies work for you then maybe it is time to start looking elsewhere.

   But, before you make a move you need to assess your skills, interests, and values to see what you really want to do and what kind of company you want to work in. As mentioned below, seek work life balance with hobbies, volunteering and social life. Career coaching may help. Amy Geffen PhD career coach

6. Focused721350January 30,2022 at 3:49PM UTC

   Good morning,

   I can totally relate! It sounds like you need to challenge yourself more. Like! your in a rut. I personally would see if there's more in your field to climb up or! What I did is start my own business and I couldn't be Happier ;)

   Good luck and God bless!

   Ms.T ;)

7. Ann B.January 30,2022 at 4:05PM UTC

   Is it normal? Yes. Everyone feels bored with their job sometimes. Should you stay or should you go? That's the question for the ages! First, try to find new challenges in your current position. If the company is big enough, they may publish openings that you could try for. If you don't think you're qualified for an opening, start looking into ways to train for it. Or just go ahead and apply for it. They say that men will apply for a job if they feel 60% qualified for it while women won't apply unless they feel 100% qualified. You never know what might happen if you do try. I did this in 2020 and although I didn't get the job I was applying for, I was hired for another great full-time position! I get the feeling from your post that you are ready for something new, so do something now!

8. AyianJanuary 30,2022 at 4:16PM UTC

   I have a guy friend who didn't know the software he was supposed to be an expert in, but he had the skills for the job otherwise. He learned just enough about the software before the interview to convince them and spent the first month of his job learning the software. It was the perfect example of this.

9. AnonymousJanuary 30,2022 at 5:25PM UTC

   Some great suggestions here.

   You might also - while you have a stable income at your boring job - take a couple of months to focus on infusing your non-work life with activities you feel passionate about and/or educational opportunities that could take you to the next level in your life and/or career. Maybe there's a way to do the type of work you're already doing in a field that excites you. Or maybe you will find a passion/hobby or a volunteer position that will refresh your attitude about your boring job. Good luck!

10. Audrey KirschJanuary 30,2022 at 6:22PM UTC

    It might just be your work style of working. I left a couple of jobs due to similar feelings and found there are worse things than being bored. Once the newness of a job and learning new things dries up, it’s easy to get bored. Don’t underestimate good benefits and a pleasant work environment. Not saying you should stay put, but make sure any new opportunities are really what they seem to be. So many on here have been fooled by what a new job has offered and what they actually ended up with.

11. Beverly L.January 30,2022 at 6:58PM UTC

    The grass is not always greener on the other side. The positives that you currently have are hard to find. Get creative and innovate your role. Find ways to bring more creative value to your role — reinvent it!

12. Janet ParkhurstJanuary 30,2022 at 7:01PM UTC

    Dear Anonymous,

    I am feeling like the problem is one of not learning anything new. The brain becomes tired and bored when work becomes rote, predictable and tedious. Can you seek out any opportunities for learning or cross training? Maybe even trying a new role within the company that would involve a lateral move could seem refreshing. If not, I would make a list of my favorite job activities and start looking around for opportunities that would use those skills and abilities. Two years is long enough in this job market. Remember, it's now an employee's market so now's the time!

13. PatriciaJanuary 30,2022 at 11:31PM UTC

    I was in a similar position a few years ago. I happened to be good friends with the IT Director's PA and she forwarded an email to me regarding a strategy planning workshop requiring volunteers. I jumped at it - and ended up spending an afternoon per week working with other people I had never met before and learning new skills. I then volunteered to present to the whole department and company head (about 300 people). I highlight this accomplishment in my resume which often sparks conversation during an interview.

14. Marla FieldsJanuary 31,2022 at 12:58AM UTC

    This is normal. When I got this feeling I switched projects, or products or divisions but eventually found the end of what I had to learn at that company. At that point I moved companies and then industries but there are other ways to get excitement and satisfaction. Sometimes I stayed in a role longer even though I was bored because I was doing things outside of that work that gave me energy like training for a marathon, volunteering to coach for a non profit, college recruiting, starting and running employee resource groups internal to my company and then in my community across companies. Especially before I was married and had a kid, I explored options and opportunities and so should u!

15. Jackie GhedineJanuary 31,2022 at 12:03PM UTC

    It is normal and it may be because your day to day tasks aren't motivating to you leading you to bordout (extremely common). I would suggest my clients put together a list of their day-to-day tasks and scale them, 1-10 how energized do they make you feel. Often, what motivates us isn't part of what we do and it drags us down.

16. Pat RoqueJanuary 31,2022 at 1:45PM UTC

    Have you spoken with your manager? Checked out your employee resource groups to find others who are aligned with things that are important to you?

    There are so many ways that you can start to put 10% of your effort towards some thing that light you up (even in your current company).

    I’d go ahead and do some cover soul-searching, brush up your profile and your résumé just in case. But most importantly, get clear on where you want to grow, and start from the inside out. It’s so much better if you can elevate where you are first, and then take a movie based on a higher title in salary. But the decision is up to you.

    Look up the employee resource groups first though, it’s a gold mine of support.

17. AnonymousJanuary 31,2022 at 2:54PM UTC

    I have been there.
    I had a good job, enjoyed it and was working on my Master's degree when my current boss was moved into another department and I now reported to another person. That person felt like I had been allowed too much leeway by my former boss and he even said that to her when he said I will be put in my place. He basically ignored me and didn't include me in any discussions. He never even came by my office - I could have been dead and he wouldn't know it. I had one year left so I sucked it up, and I hate to say it - I worked on my Masters' homework and managed my department. I also did work for my old boss ( under the table) - easy stuff but it was budgets, financials, and data analysis. Things that interested me and allowed me to actually feel like I was contributing. It wasn't full time for obvious reasons. But it was enough to help stay engaged - know a little of what was going on and plenty of time to do my thesis paper and home work. I know plenty will bash me for doing homework instead of looking for another job, but I had one year left before graduation and then I would be free to go somewhere else. My old boss felt bad but she was there for me when I started looking and secured another job after graduation. My advice talk to your boss, look for projects that you can be added, look inside the company. If you don't hold a degree or advanced degree - look into that option, realizing if they pay for some or all of it you will have some employment obligations to them ( my company did not pay for it - but my old boss had secured my every other Friday off to attend classes) .

18. Arlene Frances Gottardo (Bryak)February 1,2022 at 4:09AM UTC

    I appreciate your honesty. Is there anyone you can confide in @ work? A trusted supervisor? Explore some options- maybe it IS time for a change?

19. Farah BajwaFebruary 11,2022 at 6:49PM UTC

    Its a very good thing that you're able to observe this about yourself. Looks like you're in a stable job but not feeling fulfilled or challenged. I think that puts you in a position of control of the situation. You can freely look around to see if another role draws your attention, and its up to you to try and claim it or let it go. You never know what's out there unless you look. Good luck!