Here are four reasons why you might be lacking motivation, and what to do about each one.
1. You don’t have autonomy
If you're not feeling autonomous as work, ask yourself: ‘Is there one small thing within my own realm I can do differently tomorrow?’ The answer is almost always yes,” author Dan Pink advised us. Although it can be challenging, it’s possible, even in constrained professional situations, to create moments of inspiration, like finding a half-hour to read up on something you’re curious about. "You can usually carve out a little slice of sovereignty even if you don’t have total control of your schedule,” said Pink. “And something is better than nothing. Taking two ten or fifteen minute breaks in the afternoon is doable for most people.”
2. You don’t find your work meaningful
Behavioral economist Dan Ariely had research participants assemble LEGO toys. For one group, Ariely saved their toys for them. For the other group, he dismantled their toys right before their eyes. Participants in the first group -- where the toys got saved --made an average of eleven toys. The second group whose toys were destroyed stopped after just seven. People are motivated by feeling like they’re contributing. People are also more motivated to do something if they put time and effort into it. This is called the IKEA effect: people who put together IKEA furniture are willing to pay more for their own self-constructed furniture than for identical pre-assembled furniture. Their self-constructed furniture reminds them of their competence, and so they value it more. To find the parts of your job that could become meaningful, put in effort: you could offer to mentor a new colleague, or plan an event that helps people give back.
3. You aren’t conceptualizing work as a place of learning
To stay inspired, look for ways your job can teach you new things. For example you could swap skills: Schedule time with a coworker and friend where you teach each other something new. For example, Liz once helped a colleague learn how to use Adobe Illustrator and he then walked her through his top email marketing tips.
4. You don’t enjoy working with your co-workers
People with friends at work find their jobs more satisfying and are less affected by stress. To make more friends at work, try inviting colleagues to a (virtual or in person) themed lunch or organize an office event… how about a book club? Mollie set up a monthly lunch where people are encouraged to be off camera (taking a walk, folding laundry, etc) but can still connect.
And our final note: if you’ve made these major changes and you still dread waking up every morning, we have one word of advice: quit. Life is too short to spend time being unmotivated for at least eight hours a day.