It happens to the best of us - you wake up one morning and all of a sudden the reasons for getting up and going to work have left overnight. All those things that motivated you in the past are suddenly no longer worth your while. You have lost motivation to work and you don’t know how to get it back. What can be done to make that job seem like a good bet like it used to - or will this mean heading out into the world of the job seeker once again?
Recreate that “new job” feeling
Remember the day you first went into your new firm’s office. The butterflies in the tummy, the apprehension mixed with excitement and the knowledge that you can achieve great things, given the chance. It really is possible to get that new job feeling back. You just need to refresh your role.
It sounds harder than it actually is. Few jobs in the finance industry are designed to be completed by rote day after day. You have methods of doing things that you have worked out over time. Perhaps these were to save time or to fit in with colleagues or other timetables - but they are not set in stone. The key to refreshing your role is to change how you do things. Treat each task with a fresh perspective and create new ways of achieving your core responsibilities. If you can, take on new tasks or work with your team to redistribute client lists and jobs. Make it your priority to make your job new. It could lead to great things.
Talk to your manager
Your boss will have heard it all before and will appreciate that you have come to them for a chat before handing in your notice. If you can make it clear that you want to stay, but you need further challenges or just a rest from some of the tasks you do right now, there’s a good chance they can accommodate. Not only that but you will earn brownie points for being proactive and showing initiative.
Consider a change in core hours
All employers now have to take seriously any request for a change of hours. You can ask for any reason but the most common is child care responsibilities. You may however want to gain more time for hobbies or leisure time. If you can justify how your responsibilities will be fulfilled given the change in hours, you may find they are willing to accommodate. You could reduce your hours (if you can afford to do so) or you could condense your hours to give you one afternoon each week to do whatever you want.
Ask for further training or do your own
Many firms offer a schedule of training that is available for staff. If you have a specialist area that you are interested in or you want to learn something entirely new, your firm may possibly be able to help. Employers have recognised motivation comes from feeling that you could achieve more than your current role and by providing training they are improving their workforce. It really is a win win.
If your firm doesn’t offer these opportunities, you can always do an evening course or an Open University course to update your skills with a view towards asking for a promotion in the future.
Consider moving on
It could be that, sadly, you are simply ready for a new role. If there are no opportunities within your current firm or you know you need a proper change, you should start updating your CV. Approaching a recruitment agent to see what possibilities are open to you could be a great way to get those motivational juices running again. Knowing that there are roles out there that would suit you will allow you to get excited about your potential once again.
Whether you want to stay put or move on, being motivated to do your job is important - after all none of us can afford to be without work. Keeping your job fresh and being proactive can mean that you are leaping out of bed every morning - just like you used to.
