I’ve lost motivation a few months into a job I was really enthusiastic about. How do I regain the magic?
Those of us in full-time employment spend much of our waking hours at work. It’s vital that we feel fulfilled as a result of our job. It’s perhaps inevitable that the ‘honeymoon period’ of a new job will end after a while. But you owe it to yourself (and your employer) to see what you can do to turn the situation around.
Think about the aspects of your job which cause the most concern. Is there something you haven’t asked for help with? Who could you ask and what’s preventing you from making that approach? How could you engineer it so that you spend more time on the tasks you enjoy – or are you stuck in a comfort zone that you should be getting out of?
Ask yourself if you are doing the job less well than you ought to, or could – a harsh reality for anyone to face up to. Try to identify why. Has it become too easy or routine? Perhaps your learning curve has been less steep than you (or your employer) anticipated – there could be a whole new challenge waiting for you, if only you make them aware that you are ready for the next step.
It may be that training commitments made to you when you started aren’t being met. If your boss is too busy, take responsibility for this yourself – within the limits of your authority. Ask if you can research specific courses and present a business case, along with time and cost commitments – you might be pleasantly surprised at the response.
Enthusiasm can also dwindle if acknowledgement of your achievements – which may have been a regular feature of your probation period – becomes less forthcoming. If need be, ask for a formal appraisal to raise your wider concerns.
Whatever you do, do something. The chances are, you can rectify the situation to your advantage.